Glossary
Internet vocabulary, defined.
- Bandwidth
- The maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over an internet connection in a given time, usually expressed in megabits per second (Mbps).
- Download speed
- How fast data can be transferred from the internet to your device. Higher download speeds support smoother streaming, faster page loads, and quicker app downloads.
- Upload speed
- How fast data can be transferred from your device to the internet. High upload speeds matter for video calls, cloud backups, and live streaming.
- Latency (Ping)
- The round-trip time between your device sending a request and receiving a response, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower is better — especially for gaming and video calls.
- Jitter
- The variation in latency between successive data packets. High jitter causes uneven performance in video calls and gaming.
- Packet loss
- The percentage of data packets that fail to reach their destination. Even a small amount of packet loss degrades streaming and call quality.
- Mbps
- Megabits per second. The standard unit for measuring internet speed. 1,000 Mbps = 1 Gbps (gigabit per second).
- ISP
- Internet Service Provider — the company that connects your home or device to the internet.
- Wi-Fi
- Wireless networking technology that lets devices connect to a router via radio waves instead of cables.
- Ethernet
- A wired networking technology that connects devices via a cable. Generally faster and more stable than Wi-Fi.