How long will it take to download that file?

This chart compares the time it takes to download a 10MB file through the Internet, via several connection options. These numbers assume optimum connections: that means that at 14.4Kbps you're moving a full 14,400 bits per second; actual results are often lower. Modems are usually rated in bits per second; we have converted the numbers to megabytes per minute to make it easier to determine how long a large file will take to download.

Upload speed may be different from download speed. While some of the technologies provide the same transfer speed in both directions (downloads from the network to your computer and uploads in the other direction), others are mostly one-way delivery services with a slower connection from your computer back to the network (asymmetric connections). These can be great for Web surfing, but limiting if you want to serve Web sites or transfer large files to others.

* Add channels for more speed; depending on equipment, you may get only 56K per channel.
** New versions will push speeds much higher in both directions.