To fully understand what we’re paying for and getting from our internet service providers (ISP), we need to understand terms like speed, latency and jitter. These terms also come up in your speed test and with their confusing face value, people often overlook them, often to their ISP’s benefit.

Here’s a crash course in some of the most commonly misunderstood internet terms:

Download speed: How fast you can receive data from the internet.

Upload speed: How fast you can send data to the internet.

Latency: The time delay between sending a request and getting a response.

Ping: Measures the round-trip time for data to travel between your device and a server.

Jitter: The variation in latency.

Speed

Internet speed is measured in Mbps (Megabits per second) or Gbps (Gigabits per second). Higher numbers mean faster performance. 

Download speeds

When we look for internet providers, download speeds overshadow almost every metric. That’s not to say it’s unearned—download speeds enable streaming, receiving communications, loading web pages and more. From a wider lens, it's how fast you can receive data to your device.

But download speeds aren’t everything. A common ISP trick is to highlight their impressive download speeds. The trick here is you end up ignoring their upload speeds, which are just as important but commonly overlooked. Cable internet providers love to flash their 25 Mbps download speed, while only offering 3 Mbps in upload speeds (the bare minimum required by the FCC to qualify as "high-speed" broadband).

But hey, you’re not doomed to slow uploads. Alternatives like Ting’s fiber optic internet offers up to 2000 Mbps download and upload speeds, that don’t get throttled.

Upload speeds

The way I think about it is when you consume internet content, it’s typically using download speeds, whereas when you contribute it’s typically upload. For example, posting to social media or sharing your video in a call requires upload speed. 

With strong upload speeds, your online experience can dramatically improve. Whether you want to stream HD buffer-free, crystal-clear video calls or game lag-free; better upload speeds are likely your fix.

Internet speeds in action

How much speed do you really need? It depends on what you want to do with it. Not every internet user needs the same speeds. Here’s anoverview of regular internet users and the speeds they need to operate headache-free.

• Email: 1 Mbps
• Social media: 3 Mbps
• Video calls: 5 Mbps
• HD video streaming: 10 Mbps
• 4K video streaming: 30 Mbps
• Online gaming: 6 Mbps
  

Video calls

If you work remotely, you probably are familiar with the frustration of lagging and frozen video calls. Upload speeds are essential to prevent this. 

Here’s why: every time you’re on a video call, your internet connection is constantly sending data (your voice and video) out to others while simultaneously receiving data (your coworkers’ voices and videos) in. If your upload speed is sluggish, that data bottlenecks, causing glitches, frozen screens and a whole lot of “Can you hear me now?” moments.

Streaming

Streaming requires a steady download speed to deliver the high-quality video you expect. While non-HD streaming might scrape by with 3 Mbps, stepping up to HD content requires at least 10 Mbps, and 4K Ultra HD demands a hefty 30 Mbps. If your connection can’t maintain these speeds, you’re left with buffering, reduced quality or, worse… being forced to watch in standard definition.

Gaming

Online gaming doesn’t demand massive sustained download or upload speeds. Most games can run smoothly with a steady connection of 3-6 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. However, gaming performance hinges on two key metrics: ping and jitter.

Take our internet speed test and find out if your connection can keep up. 

Jitter

Jitter is the inconsistency in latency—basically, how unevenly your data packets arrive at their destination. While it might sound harmless, jitter can wreak havoc on your experience. Think: stuttering in gaming, choppy audio during that critical video call or annoying delays that make even simple tasks feel like pulling teeth.

Here are some quick fixes to keep your connection steady:

• Go wired with Ethernet: Ethernet cables provide a stable, direct line to your router, cutting down interference and delivering reliable speeds.
• Restart your router: Sometimes your router just needs a reset to reconnect to less congested channels and optimize your connection.
• Get closer to your router: If Wi-Fi is your only option, staying within a short range of your router minimizes signal loss and interference.

Ping

Ping measures how quickly a signal travels from your device to a server and back—essentially, it’s the internet’s reaction time. Measured in milliseconds (ms), a low ping means faster response times and smoother online experiences. A high ping? That’s when things start to lag, leaving gamers frustrated, streamers buffering and remote workers awkwardly frozen on video calls.

Why Ping matters

• Gaming: A low ping keeps you competitive. High ping could mean getting taken out in-game before you even see it coming.
• Video calls: A high ping can create delays, making conversations feel like they’re happening on a time delay.
• Streaming: While download speed affects buffering, a high ping can still mess with live streams and online interactions.

How to improve your Ping

Here are some quick tips to lower your ping and stay in sync:

• Use a wired connection
  Ethernet cables reduce the travel time for your data and eliminate interference.
• Choose servers wisely
  Many games and services let you select a server. Pick one closer to your location for a shorter travel distance.
• Close background apps
  Too many apps using your internet can increase ping. Shut down anything you’re not actively using.
• Upgrade your internet
  A fiber connection like Ting Internet provides a direct and reliable path to the server, reducing ping and improving overall performance.

Latency

Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back, measured in milliseconds (ms). Think of it as your internet’s reflexes—the lower the latency, the quicker and smoother your experience. High latency? That’s when things get laggy and frustrating.

Why latency matters

Gaming: Quick reflexes and low latency go hand in hand. For a seamless experience, aim for under 50ms—any higher and you might lose before you even see your opponent.

Video calls: Ever experienced that awkward pause where everyone’s unsure who’s supposed to talk? High latency is often to blame, turning simple conversations into frustrating delays.

Streaming: While speed gets all the attention, high latency can sneak in and cause buffering or out-of-sync audio during your favorite shows.

How to minimize latency

Here are a few pro tips to keep your connection responsive:

• Plug in for precision: An Ethernet cable gives you the fastest, most reliable connection—no interference, no congestion.
• Switch to 5 GHz Wi-Fi: The 5 GHz band is less crowded and offers better speeds than the 2.4 GHz band. Perfect for reducing delays on wireless devices.
• Stay local for gaming servers: Many games let you pick servers. Choose one closer to your location to cut down on travel time for your data.

Why these metrics matter

Whether you’re gaming for glory, streaming your favorite shows or tackling remote work, understanding latency, jitter and speed gives you the power to optimize your internet experience. A strong, consistent connection isn’t just a convenience—it’s a game-changer for how we live, work and play online.

Take control of your connection

The internet shouldn’t feel like a puzzle. With Ting, you can enjoy smooth gaming, crystal-clear video calls and streaming without interruptions. Looking to fine-tune your setup? Bring your own router or try Ting Whole Home Wi-Fi for a seamless experience.

Visit ting.com and check your address to see if we’re available in your area.