By: John Shepler

Business-grade internet bandwidth has typically been symmetrical, meaning the upload and download speeds are equal. However, new services are emerging that offer asymmetrical bandwidth, where upload and download speeds differ. Let’s examine this trend and its potential benefits for your business.

Symmetrical bandwidth originated from telecommunication services dating back to the advent of digital transmission roughly 50 years ago. Bell Labs, the creator of the T-Carrier standards (including the widely used T1 line), focused on serving telephone companies. This meant digitizing phone calls took precedence over computer-to-computer communication for many years. The shift from analog to digital long-distance lines significantly reduced noise, distortion, and interference that often impacted domestic and international calls. It also facilitated systems capable of carrying many simultaneous calls on a single circuit.

Symmetrical operation was necessary because phone calls inherently operate in two directions. Regardless of who initiates the call, both parties need the same line quality for simultaneous speaking and listening. This led to transmit and receive paths being designed identically.

When T1 lines, DS3 connections, and fiber optic cables were adopted for computer communication, they inherited the symmetrical bandwidth, dedicated circuits, synchronized channels, and low latency and jitter inherent to telephone systems. These features of Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) are effective but come at a cost.

Asymmetrical bandwidth emerged with the rise of the internet and consumer-focused Internet Service Providers (ISPs). When you visit a website, your device sends a small data packet to the server, requesting information. In return, you receive a larger data packet containing the requested text, images, audio, and video. For most users, downloading data requires significantly more bandwidth than uploading.

This model is advantageous for phone companies offering DSL over shared phone lines and cable companies utilizing extra channels for broadband internet. Cable, in particular, is a one-way system. Initially, when television was the sole service, all content flowed from a central hub to the consumer. With asymmetrical broadband, fewer channels need to be allocated for uploading, allowing for faster download speeds at a higher price point.

Many businesses, especially smaller ones, are discovering that asymmetrical DSL, cable, wireless, and satellite broadband adequately meet their needs. This is particularly true if employees primarily use the internet for web browsing and occasional emails. Cable broadband offers faster download speeds at a fraction of the cost of a T1 line. This cost difference becomes even more significant as bandwidth requirements increase (e.g., 10 to 100 Mbps).

However, there are some drawbacks to this seemingly ideal scenario. Asymmetry is just one factor contributing to DSL and cable’s lower cost compared to T1, DS3, Ethernet over Copper, and fiber. Another significant factor is the use of shared bandwidth. With shared bandwidth, the available speed fluctuates constantly based on the usage of other users sharing the same connection. Essentially, everyone draws from a single bandwidth pool, so the more users, the less bandwidth is available to each. This can be problematic for businesses with critical projects, as high bandwidth usage from other users (e.g., downloading large files) can significantly impact internet speed and productivity.

Another distinction between symmetrical and asymmetrical services lies in their classification and support. Symmetrical services, typically categorized as tariffed telecom services, often come with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that guarantee specific repair times for outages, usually within a few hours. On the other hand, consumer-oriented asymmetrical services are generally considered “data services” and are offered on a best-effort basis. While providers address complaints, resolving the issue might take time.

Asymmetry doesn’t suit every business. Applications like data backup and recovery, video conferencing, VoIP phone systems, cloud computing, and large file transfers between multiple offices require symmetrical bandwidth for optimal performance. Businesses utilizing these applications often need dedicated bandwidth and service level agreements for maximum productivity.

Nevertheless, the strong competition from cable and other providers is prompting major telecom companies to reassess their offerings. For example, MegaPath is introducing asymmetrical services at reduced costs while still providing dedicated bandwidth, SLAs, and Quality of Service (QoS) options for businesses that need those features. Other large telecom providers are expected to follow suit.

With numerous service providers and connectivity choices available, selecting the right service that balances performance and cost can be challenging. Consulting a bandwidth broker who works with multiple providers and has the leverage to secure the best discounts can simplify this process. Get instant online pricing and available consulting for bandwidth services for your business locations.