# Please explain WiFi to me like I'm 5 years old **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 24, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-wifi-to-me-like-im-5-years-old/619775 "2012-04-24T03:36:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Uber\_the\_Goober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/58956e/32.png) [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-wifi-to-me-like-im-5-years-old/619775/21 "2012-04-24T21:59:00Z")
> [@meflin](#): > > you think you need 1000mbps wired for a 10mbps internet connection? > > Think again. Of course he does. He can feel the difference in power right in the seat of his pants! ---
**Author:** ![BomTek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bomtek/32/21364_2.png) [@BomTek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BomTek)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-wifi-to-me-like-im-5-years-old/619775/22 "2012-04-26T16:13:25Z")
UPDATE 2: According to the speed test website that was linked upthread, my download speed is over 10 Mbps anywhere in the house, so apparently my router is sufficient. My upload speed is about 1 Mbps, which I find odd, but my main question was answered anyway. Now the real test will be when we try to have a Skype conversation or watch some Netflix on 2 computers at the same time or something. ---
**Author:** ![jonesj2205](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecc23a/32.png) [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-wifi-to-me-like-im-5-years-old/619775/23 "2012-04-26T16:30:23Z")
> [@BomTek](#): > > UPDATE 2: According to the speed test website that was linked upthread, my download speed is over 10 Mbps anywhere in the house, so apparently my router is sufficient. My upload speed is about 1 Mbps, which I find odd, but my main question was answered anyway. Most cable connections are asynchronous - designed to have higher download speeds than upload speeds. Which fits if you’re one of the residential customers, who tend to download more than upload anyway. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-wifi-to-me-like-im-5-years-old/619775/24 "2012-04-26T16:51:15Z")
> [@BomTek](#): > > UPDATE 2: According to the speed test website that was linked upthread, my download speed is over 10 Mbps anywhere in the house, so apparently my router is sufficient. My upload speed is about 1 Mbps, which I find odd, but my main question was answered anyway. Now the real test will be when we try to have a Skype conversation or watch some Netflix on 2 computers at the same time or something. OP your router is fine. I use the same one and I pay for and receive about 30Mbps down and 6 up, which is plenty fast enough for almost anything. I download 5-6GB games from Steam in about 30-40 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-wifi-to-me-like-im-5-years-old/619775/25 "2012-04-26T17:06:26Z")
> [@BomTek](#): > > UPDATE 2: According to the speed test website that was linked upthread, my download speed is over 10 Mbps anywhere in the house, so apparently my router is sufficient. My upload speed is about 1 Mbps… You can get the exact specs from the ISP, but a down:up ratio of 10:1 is typical. The service most people can get by with – typical web browsing and email – is compatible with that ratio, and it discourages people from running web servers from home. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-wifi-to-me-like-im-5-years-old/619775/26 "2012-04-26T17:47:05Z")
> [@meflin](#): > > you think you need 1000mbps wired for a 10mbps internet connection? > > Think again. 1 Gib/s locally could be justified, depending on what files are being shuttled around the local network. Streaming HD video from a network drive, maybe? And if someone is actually _working_ with said video, even more justification. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-wifi-to-me-like-im-5-years-old/619775.md?page=1)