Symmetrical vs asymmetrical broadband: What’s the difference?

Key takeaways: symmetrical vs asymmetrical broadband

• Symmetrical broadband has equal download and upload speeds.

• Asymmetrical broadband has faster downloads than uploads.

• Symmetrical is better for uploading, video calls, and remote work as it usually have faster upload speeds.; asymmetrical is usually enough for streaming and browsing.

• Full fibre (FTTP) is usually symmetrical; ADSL and cable are typically asymmetrical.

Not all internet connections are the same, and one of the biggest differences is how balanced your download and upload speeds are. This is known as speed symmetry.

In the past, most Internet users focused on download speed and how fast they could stream a video, load a website, or download a file. But as we use the Internet has changed, upload speed has become just as important as your download speed.

That’s where the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical broadband comes into play.  

Symmetrical broadband means your upload and download speeds are the same. For example, with 500/500 Mbps fibre broadband, you get 500 Mbps of download and 500 Mbps of upload speeds.  

Symmetrical broadband is the ideal type of connection for anyone that uploads a lot of large files or works from home, giving you upload speeds that are just as fast as your download speeds so you’ll have enough speed to upload your socks off. 

If you find yourself regularly backing up large files or work with cloud storage facilities like Google Drive or OneDrive, symmetrical broadband is ideal if you want fast uploads and don’t want to spend ages waiting around.

When symmetrical broadband works best

If you regularly back up large files or work from home with cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive, having a symmetrical connection can save time. With symmetrical broadband, uploads are just as fast as downloads, so you can send big files to the cloud without long wait times. 

Live-streaming and gaming online rely heavily on stable, fast upload speeds. That's why most live-streamers and pro gamers opt for symmetrical broadband to avoid any buffering when live-streaming and minimal lag in multiplayer games.  

Symmetrical broadband isn’t available everywhere, and is typically delivered over full-fibre networks, which are still rolling out, especially in rural areas. It also tends to cost more than standard cable or DSL and may require extra equipment orinstallation fees.

As you might have guessed, asymmetrical broadband is the opposite of symmetrical broadband – where your download speed is much faster than the upload speed. For example, you could have 300 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up, which can be great for consuming content, but slower when sending data.

Asymmetrical broadband works well for most households and is ideal for everyday internet use. If most of your activity is browsing the web or streaming your favourite TV series, this type of broadband is usually more than enough for what you need.

What to expect from asymmetrical broadband

Asymmetrical broadband works well for basic internet use, but its limitations become clear with more demanding tasks. Slower upload speeds can lead to performance issues for remote work, online gaming, or busy households.  

Asymmetrical broadband gives priority to download speed, often leaving upload speeds far behind. This can cause issues with video calls, screen sharing, large file uploads, and online gaming, especially for those working remotely or streaming. It’s also less suitable for content creators or small businesses that rely on consistent, high upload performance. 

The main difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical broadband is their upload and download speeds. Symmetrical broadband means you get the same speed for downloading and uploading data, Asymmetrical broadband while gives you faster download speeds than upload speeds.

For example, if you have symmetrical broadband and your download speed is 100 Mbps, your upload speed will also be 100 Mbps. But is you have 100 Mbps for downloading and have asymmetrical broadband, you might only get 10 Mbps for uploads.

Asymmetrical broadband works well for most home users, since people usually download more than they upload – such as streaming videos, browsing websites, or downloading apps. But you might want to look into symmetrical broadband if you often upload large files, make video calls, or work from home.

To find out if you have symmetrical or asymmetrical broadband, the easiest way is to check your internet speeds. You can do this by using our online speed test, which will show your download speed (how fast you receive data) and upload speed (how fast you send data).

If both numbers are about the same, you have symmetrical broadband. If your download speed is much higher than your upload speed, you have asymmetrical broadband.

Ready to see what type of connection you've got? Head over to our broadband speed test and click 'start test' to test your download and upload speeds.

The right broadband connection really depends on how you use the internet. If your online activity is mostly streaming movies, browsing, scrolling social media, or downloading games, an asymmetrical broadband is likely more than enough. These tend to be more widely available and cost-effective for everyday use. 

If your day-to-day includes uploading large files, video conferencing for work, or live streaming, you might benefit from the extra upload capacity of a symmetrical connection, though for most users, this level of performance isn’t essential. 

Symmetrical broadband is becoming more widely available, but it's still mostly limited to areas with full fibre (FTTP) infrastructure.  

Want to know what speeds you can get? Use our postcode checker to see if our superfast or ultrafast broadband is available in your area. With speeds up to 1,130 Mbps, Virgin Media’s fibre broadband is built for streaming, gaming, working from home, and everything in between.  

Check out all of our broadband deals and see what you can get in your area!