When your internet feels slow, most people blame “bad speed.” But what does speed actually mean in networking? Is it the same as bandwidth or throughput? Not quite.
Understanding the difference between network speed, bandwidth, and throughput is crucial for diagnosing network issues, choosing the right ISP plan, and improving the performance of video conferencing, streaming, or cloud applications.
In this guide, we’ll clearly explain:
- What each term means in networking
- The key differences between them
- How do they affect real-world internet performance
Table of Contents
- What is network speed?
- Common units of measurement for network speed
- Understanding bandwidth
- Bandwidth vs. network speed
- Factors that affect bandwidth
- What is throughput in networking?
- Throughput vs. network speed
- Factors that affect throughput
- Network speed vs bandwidth vs throughput: how do they compare?
- Digital Samba: making video conferencing better
- Conclusion
What is network speed?
Network speed refers to how fast data moves across a network at any given time. It’s a general term often used interchangeably with bandwidth or throughput, but technically, it's not the same thing.
Network speed measures the rate at which information is transferred, often in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). However, unlike bandwidth or throughput, it doesn’t account for factors like congestion, latency, or packet loss.
Think of it as the speed limit of a motorway — just because the limit is 100 km/h doesn’t mean traffic will always move that fast.
Factors that affect network speed
Understanding what affects internet speed is essential if you want to improve performance across your home or office network. While your internet plan may promise high bandwidth, several factors can reduce your actual network speed, throughput, and overall experience.
1. Bandwidth limitations
The bandwidth allocated by your ISP defines your maximum capacity. If multiple devices share this bandwidth, your available throughput per device drops, reducing speed in networking.
2. Network congestion
Just like traffic on a motorway, too many users online at the same time can slow everything down. During peak hours, your internet throughput can drop significantly, especially in shared apartment buildings or on overloaded networks.
3. Distance from the router
Wi-Fi signals weaken with distance. If you're far from your router or there are thick walls in between, you’ll notice slower throughput in Wi-Fi, higher latency, and lower speeds.
4. Hardware quality
Older routers, modems, and network cards may not support high-speed connections. Even if you pay for fast internet, outdated hardware can create a bottleneck and limit throughput speed.
5. ISP throttling
Some internet service providers intentionally slow down certain types of traffic, like streaming or gaming, especially once you exceed a data cap. This can reduce both bandwidth and throughput without warning.
6. Background activity and apps
If devices on your network are downloading large files or syncing cloud data in the background, they consume available bandwidth, affecting the real-time network speed experienced by others.
7. Network protocol overhead
The way data is packaged and sent (e.g. via TCP or UDP) affects efficiency. TCP has more overhead, which can reduce throughput speed in certain applications.
8. Packet loss and latency
Data lost during transmission must be resent, lowering effective throughput. High latency (delay) and jitter also reduce network quality, particularly for video conferencing or online gaming.
9. Wi-Fi interference
Other wireless devices (e.g. microwaves, cordless phones, neighbours’ routers) can interfere with your signal, reducing your Wi-Fi throughput and increasing lag.
10. Server performance
Even if your network is fast, the website or service you're connecting to might be slow. This limits your download speed, even if your internet bandwidth is high.
How network speed is measured
When we talk about network speed, we’re referring to how much data can move through your internet connection in a given amount of time. The smallest unit used to measure this is bits per second (bps), but since most connections are much faster than a few bits, we usually use larger units:
- Kbps (Kilobits per second) – 1,000 bits per second
- Mbps (Megabits per second) – 1 million bits per second
- Gbps (Gigabits per second) – 1 billion bits per second
For context, a standard home internet connection today might offer 100 Mbps, which is fast enough for streaming, video calls, and gaming. On the other hand, businesses or data-heavy users might use connections with speeds of 1 Gbps or even higher to support multiple users and services at once.
These units help give a clear picture of how fast your connection can potentially transfer data.
Understanding bandwidth
Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data your internet connection can handle at once. It’s like the size of a highway — the more lanes it has, the more traffic (data) it can carry at the same time.
Bandwidth is typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). A higher number means your network has a greater capacity to carry data.
But here's the key point: bandwidth isn’t the same as speed. Just because you have a wide pipe doesn’t mean everything flows through it quickly, especially if it’s clogged or poorly managed. Your actual experience depends on how efficiently the data moves, which is where throughput and latency come in.
Is bandwidth the same as speed?
No. While often confused, bandwidth is not speed. Bandwidth defines your network’s capacity — how much data it can carry — but not how fast it’s actually moving.
For example, a 100 Mbps connection means your network can handle 100 megabits of data every second, under ideal conditions.
Factors that affect bandwidth
Several things can influence how much of your available bandwidth is actually usable at any given time:
1. Your internet plan
Your ISP sets the maximum bandwidth available to you. If your plan only allows 100 Mbps, that’s your limit — even if your hardware could support more.
2. Network traffic
If many people or devices are using the same connection (e.g. multiple devices streaming, downloading, or gaming), they share the available bandwidth. The more devices active, the less bandwidth each one gets.
3. Router and modem limitations
Older or low-quality routers can’t always deliver full bandwidth. A fast internet plan won’t help if your hardware can’t handle it.
4. Wired vs wireless connections
Wired (Ethernet) connections generally offer more consistent bandwidth than Wi-Fi, which is prone to interference and signal degradation.
5. ISP throttling
Some providers reduce your bandwidth at certain times or after you exceed a data limit. This is especially common with “unlimited” plans.
6. Background applications
Devices silently syncing files, downloading updates, or backing up data to the cloud can eat up your bandwidth without you realising it.
7. Distance from Wi-Fi router
The further you are from your router, the weaker the signal. This limits the effective bandwidth, especially on crowded frequencies like 2.4 GHz.
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While the factors influencing bandwidth and network speed share many similarities, a closer examination reveals subtle distinctions between the two.
What is throughput in networking?
Throughput measures how much data is successfully transferred from one point to another over a network in real time.
Unlike bandwidth, which reflects theoretical capacity, throughput reflects actual performance. It takes into account real-world variables like latency, jitter, packet loss, and congestion.
If bandwidth is the width of the road, throughput is how many cars actually make it from point A to point B per second.
Factors that affect throughput
Many factors can affect throughput; some of these factors include:
1. Network congestion
Too many users on the same network can slow everything down. During peak times, data packets may queue or get dropped, reducing your actual throughput speed.
2. Latency and jitter
High latency (delay) and jitter (inconsistent latency) reduce throughput. This is especially noticeable in video conferencing, online gaming, and real-time communication.
3. Packet loss
When data packets are lost during transmission, often due to interference or a poor signal, they need to be resent. This reduces the effective throughput because more time is spent correcting errors.
4. Hardware and infrastructure
Old routers, switches, or cables can’t always handle high-speed connections efficiently. Even with high bandwidth, poor hardware can throttle network throughput.
5. Wi-Fi interference
Wireless networks are vulnerable to interference from microwaves, walls, and nearby devices. This lowers throughput compared to a stable wired connection.
6. Protocol overhead
Some data protocols add extra information (or “overhead”) to ensure reliability. While this improves accuracy, it slightly reduces the raw throughput by taking up space.
7. Distance from access point
Just like with bandwidth, the farther you are from a Wi-Fi router, the weaker the signal, and the lower the throughput.
8. Quality of service (QoS) settings
Some routers prioritise certain types of traffic (like video calls or gaming) over others. This affects how throughput is distributed across devices and applications.
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Bandwidth vs throughput vs speed: key differences explained
Although bandwidth, throughput, and network speed are often used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of how data moves across a network. Understanding the distinction between them is crucial for accurately diagnosing internet performance issues or optimising your network setup.
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
| Term | What it means | Analogy |
|---|---|---|
| Network speed | A general term that describes how quickly data appears to move across a network | The speed limit posted on a road |
| Bandwidth | The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted per second | The total number of lanes on the road |
| Throughput | The actual rate of successful data transmission in real-world conditions | The number of cars that reach their destination on time |
Throughput vs bandwidth
Bandwidth defines the capacity of your connection — how much data could be moved per second under perfect conditions. It's like saying your network can handle "up to" 100 Mbps, just like a 4-lane motorway can theoretically handle a certain number of cars per hour.
Throughput, on the other hand, reflects the actual performance — the amount of data that’s successfully transferred. It's affected by real-world conditions such as latency, congestion, and interference.
Key takeaway: You can have high bandwidth but low throughput if your network is unstable or heavily loaded.
Throughput vs speed
Network speed is a vague term often used in marketing. It doesn’t have a strict technical definition and is frequently mistaken for either bandwidth or throughput.
Throughput gives a much more accurate picture of how your network is performing. It accounts for how much data is successfully delivered, not just how fast it could move in theory.
Key takeaway: Throughput is a better measure of actual performance than advertised speed. For tasks like video streaming or cloud collaboration, throughput speed is what really matters.
Speed vs bandwidth
People often ask, “Does higher bandwidth mean faster internet?” Not necessarily.
Bandwidth is about how much data can be carried, while speed is about how fast that data moves. A network may have high bandwidth, but poor throughput or high latency can still make it feel slow.
Think of it like this: a wide motorway (high bandwidth) can carry lots of cars (data), but if there’s a traffic jam (congestion or packet loss), you won’t get to your destination any faster.
Key takeaway: More bandwidth increases potential speed, but it doesn’t guarantee it.
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Optimising network metrics for video conferencing
When it comes to video conferencing, your internet connection plays a critical role in how smooth and natural your conversations feel. A fast and stable connection ensures that your video stays clear, your audio stays in sync, and there’s no awkward lag or delay.
If your network speed is too slow or inconsistent, you may run into problems like blurry video, choppy audio, or noticeable delays. These issues can quickly turn a productive meeting into a frustrating experience.
To avoid that, you need a connection with enough bandwidth to support high-quality video and sound. Bandwidth determines how much data your network can handle at once, and the more available capacity you have, the better your video conferencing performance will be. With enough bandwidth, your video will look sharp, your voice will come through clearly, and the overall interaction will feel more natural.
But there’s more to it than just having a high-speed plan. What really matters is how much data your network can actually deliver in real-time — this is known as throughput. Video conferencing platforms rely on a consistent, uninterrupted flow of data in both directions. If your throughput drops or becomes unstable, you might experience dropped video frames, distorted sound, or a noticeable delay between when someone speaks and when you hear it.
In short, the best video conferencing experience depends on a network that combines enough bandwidth with reliable throughput. Both are key to making remote meetings feel just as effective as in-person ones.
Digital Samba: making video conferencing better
If you want to deliver a high-quality video conferencing experience, regardless of network conditions, Digital Samba’s video conferencing SDK and video meeting API are built to help.
Whether you're integrating video calls into a web app, a virtual classroom, or a customer support tool, Digital Samba is designed to make your video performance more reliable, even when connections are less than perfect.
Here’s how it helps:
-
Adapts to network speed: Digital Samba automatically adjusts to changing network conditions, keeping video and audio smooth even when connection quality fluctuates.
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Maximises available bandwidth: Even when users have limited internet speeds, the platform makes efficient use of the available bandwidth to maintain video quality. That means fewer drops and better consistency, even in remote or low-speed environments.
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Improves throughput in real time: By reducing delays and optimising how data is transmitted, Digital Samba helps your video conferencing features perform reliably in real-world conditions, not just ideal ones.
Whether your users are on a fast office network or a mobile connection at home, Digital Samba helps ensure their video meetings stay clear, stable, and effective.
Conclusion
When evaluating your internet connection, don’t just ask "What is my speed?" Instead, dig deeper:
- Test your throughput
- Understand your bandwidth limits
- Know how your network speed is affected in practice
Optimising your internet isn’t just about buying more bandwidth. It’s about ensuring your throughput is consistent and sufficient for the tasks you care about most.
If you rely on real-time communication, like video conferencing, look for platforms like Digital Samba that are optimised for high-throughput, low-latency environments. Sign up today to get started!
Common questions
Does bandwidth affect speed?
Yes, but only up to a point. More bandwidth increases potential speed, but actual speed (throughput) is affected by network conditions.
What is the difference between bandwidth and throughput?
Bandwidth is the capacity of the connection. Throughput is the actual data transmitted successfully.
Does higher bandwidth always mean faster internet?
Not necessarily. Higher bandwidth allows more data to pass through, but your actual speed (throughput) also depends on network congestion, latency, and how well your connection performs in real time.
Why is my internet speed fast in tests, but video calls still lag?
Speed tests often show your maximum bandwidth, not your real-time throughput. Video calls rely on stable, low-latency connections, so issues like jitter or packet loss can cause lag even on “fast” networks.
What’s more important for video conferencing: speed or bandwidth?
Both matter, but stable throughput is most important. You need enough bandwidth, but consistent performance and low latency are what make video and audio clear.
Can I improve throughput without upgrading my plan?
Yes. Use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi, close background apps, and make sure your router supports modern standards like Wi-Fi 5 or 6. These can help maximise your existing bandwidth.
Why does my Wi-Fi signal say strong, but my internet still feels slow?
A strong Wi-Fi signal means you're connected to the router, but the router itself may have poor internet throughput due to congestion, interference, or limited ISP speed.
Is there a difference between download speed and network throughput?
Yes. Download speed is one type of throughput, specifically for data coming to you. Network throughput includes both upload and download performance, which is essential for activities like video conferencing or cloud work.
What is a good throughput speed?
For video calls: 2–6 MbpsFor 4K streaming: 15–25 Mbps
For gaming: low latency + 3–6 Mbps
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