What Is Symmetrical Internet? Benefits, Drawbacks and Providers
Fiber is the only broadband type capable of symmetrical speeds.
Symmetrical internet is a growing necessity for the many people who depend on a high-speed internet connection to work remotely, live stream or play online games. It might seem like just another internet buzzword, but it truly makes a world of difference to improving your online experience. We’ll break down everything you need to know about symmetrical internet and why it’s worth considering.
Table of Contents
- What Is Symmetrical Internet?
- Why Does Symmetrical Internet Matter?
- Who Should Consider Symmetrical Internet?
- The Benefits of Symmetrical Internet
- The Drawbacks of Symmetrical Internet
- Which Internet Providers Offer Symmetrical Internet
What Is Symmetrical Internet?
Before we dive into symmetrical internet, it helps to understand download speed and upload speed. Here’s what each type does:
- Download Speed: How quickly you pull data from the internet to your device. Download speed helps you stream videos, load websites and download files.
- Upload Speed: How fast you can send data from your device to the internet. Upload speed helps you send large files, make video calls and upload to cloud storage.
Symmetrical internet means that download and upload speeds are the same. For example, with a symmetrical internet plan, if you get 100 Mbps of download speed, you’ll also have 100 Mbps of upload speed. Specific internet activities thrive with symmetrical internet, including video conferencing, live streaming and uploading large files.
Fiber networks offer symmetrical internet plans, as they use light to transmit data at high speeds. This type of internet is known for providing consistent and reliable symmetrical speeds. By comparison, cable or DSL services generally offer higher download speeds but much slower upload speeds.
Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Internet
Asymmetrical internet is the most common type found in homes, where download speeds are much faster than upload speeds. This type of internet setup is sufficient for standard activities such as browsing social media or streaming in SD.
However, asymmetrical internet can become a problem if you need faster upload speeds. For example, uploading videos to YouTube or using Zoom for video calls might become sluggish with slower upload speeds.
Here’s a quick comparison between the two:
| Feature | Symmetrical internet | Asymmetrical internet |
|---|---|---|
| Upload/download ratio | Equal upload and download speeds (i.e, 500 Mbps download and upload) | Download speeds are higher than upload speeds (i.e, 500 Mbps download and 25 Mbps upload) |
| Best for | Video conferencing, cloud backups, online gaming, live streaming and remote work | Streaming TV and movies, casual browsing, downloading files and social media |
| User experience | Smooth two-way performance — great for households and businesses that upload and download heavily | Prioritizes downloads — uploads may feel slow during video calls, large file transfers or content creation |
| Availability | Strictly available with fiber internet | Widely available on cable, DSL, satellite and fixed wireless |
| Cost | Fiber can sometimes be higher than other wired internet, but the price varies based on the provider | Usually more affordable, depending on the provider |
Why Does Symmetrical Internet Matter?
Prioritizing a symmetrical internet connection makes sense for some homes but might not for others. Deciding if it’s right for you comes down to how you spend time online. Below are a few activities that might suggest you’d benefit from symmetrical internet.
- Video Conferencing and Remote Work: Reliable video meeting tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams are a necessity if you work remotely. Symmetrical speeds ensure calls are smooth and high-quality. No more meeting disruptions due to reduced latency or buffering issues.
- Live Streaming: Whether you livestream a game on Twitch or broadcast a live event, symmetrical internet keeps your stream high-quality so you don’t irritate your audience. Strong upload speeds are essential for sending video data to your viewers.
- Cloud Backups and Storage: From personal videos and pictures to music and other digital media, more people rely on cloud-based services such as Google Drive and Dropbox. Uploading or syncing large files to the cloud is quicker and more efficient with symmetrical internet speeds.
- Online Gaming: If you or someone in your home is a serious gamer, symmetrical internet minimizes lag for smooth data transmission. Games, specifically multiplayer scenarios, require real-time interaction and are more enjoyable with a fast, stable internet connection moving in both directions.
Who Should Consider Symmetrical Internet?
Symmetrical internet won’t make sense for everyone, but certain people can thrive with it. Below are users who may find symmetrical internet worth the investment:
- Remote workers using video conferencing platforms and cloud-based services
- Content creators such as YouTubers, photographers and video editors regularly uploading large files online
- Livestreamers who stream games or video content to platforms like Twitch, YouTube or Facebook Live
- Small businesses operating out of the home that use cloud-based services, conduct video calls with clients or frequently share large files
- Gamers who play online multiplayer games and require minimal latency or lag during gameplay
- Families with multiple users uploading and downloading content simultaneously, such as parents working remotely while kids are gaming or streaming
Asymmetrical plans are often less expensive yet can still meet the needs of a household of casual internet users who primarily use the internet for streaming, social media and light web browsing.
The Benefits of Symmetrical Internet
Symmetrical internet is appealing to households and businesses with high online demands:
- Faster Upload Speeds. Since upload and download speeds are equal, tasks like sending large files, backing up data to the cloud, or uploading videos to YouTube happen much faster. Fiber internet far surpasses the FCC’s minimum speed requirements.
- Better for Remote Work. Video conferencing, virtual collaboration and remote desktop applications run more smoothly when you have reliable upload performance to match your downloads.
- Reduced Latency. Equal bandwidth allocation helps minimize lag, making activities like online gaming, VoIP calls and live streaming feel more seamless.
- Future-Proof Performance. As more digital tools, smart devices and cloud-based a[[s become part of everyday life, symmetrical speeds can help ensure your internet can keep up.
- Great for Multiple Users. In households or offices where several people are video calling, gaming or sharing content simultaneously, symmetrical internet prevents slowdowns.
The Drawbacks of Symmetrical Internet
While symmetrical internet has advantages, it’s not the right fit for every household. Here are some cons to keep in mind:
- Higher Cost. Because it often requires fiber infrastructure, symmetrical internet plans can be more expensive than traditional cable or DSL options. However, more providers are offering plans that compete with cable prices.
- Limited Availability. Fiber isn’t available everywhere, which means many people may not have access to symmetrical speeds in their area.
- Overkill for Casual Users. If your primary online activities are streaming TV shows, browsing social media or shopping online, you likely won’t notice the benefits of higher upload speeds.
- Installation Barriers. In some areas, getting fiber installed may involve long wait times, construction work or additional fees.
- Not Always Necessary. For households that rarely upload large files or use bandwidth-heavy communication tools, symmetrical internet may provide more speed than they realistically need.
Which Internet Providers Offer Symmetrical Internet
Fiber internet widely provides symmetrical internet for home users. But availability can be a challenge, as fiber internet isn’t as widespread as cable or DSL. Below are some of the top fiber providers that offer symmetrical internet.
| Provider | Symmetrical speeds (up to) | Starting price per month | Top pro | Top con |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GFiber | $150 | $70 | Fastest symmetrical fiber option | Limited availability |
| CenturyLink | $75 | $50 | No installation charge | Only one plan option |
| AT&T | $104 | $34 | Some plans feature multiple GBs | Highest speed plans might be unnecessary |
| Verizon | $184.99 | $34.99 | Low latency | Expensive GB plans |
Frequently Asked Questions About Symmetrical Internet
Is symmetrical internet worth it?
If you frequently upload large files, stream content live or work remotely and rely on cloud-based tools, symmetrical speeds can significantly improve your experience. However, you might be hard-pressed to justify the higher cost if you’re a casual internet user.
How much internet speed do I need?
The internet speed you need depends on your household size and how you use the internet. A plan offering 25 Mbps to 100 Mbps download speeds and 3 Mbps to 10 Mbps upload speeds will be sufficient for casual users. You’ll benefit from download speeds greater than 100 Mbps if you’re a gamer, streamer or someone who works from home. A symmetrical plan offering 100 Mbps or more in both directions is ideal for households with heavy internet usage or if you require fast uploads and downloads.
Is all fiber internet symmetrical?
Not all fiber internet plans are symmetrical, but many of them are. Fiber-optic technology is designed to provide high-speed data transmission in both directions, making it the most common source of symmetrical internet. When shopping for a fiber plan, check whether it offers equal upload and download speeds.
What does 1.2 gig symmetrical mean?
A 1.2 gig symmetrical internet plan means you’ll get 1.2 Gbps of speed for both uploads and downloads. This is an extremely fast connection capable of handling even the most data-heavy tasks, such as streaming 4K videos, hosting large video conferences or downloading massive files in seconds.
Is symmetrical internet better for gaming?
Yes, symmetrical internet can improve your online gaming experience. Equal upload and download speeds help reduce latency and packet loss, which means smoother gameplay and fewer lag spikes. While many casual gamers can get by with asymmetrical internet, competitive gamers or those who stream their gameplay online benefit most from symmetrical connections.