What is the difference between kilobits and megabits

You can use Markdown to format your question. For more examples see the Markdown Cheatsheet. Log in to Ask a Question. Linode 2 years, 1 month ago Linode Staff. Question Title. Please include an alpha-numeric character in your title , A-Z, a-z. Compose Preview. What is considered good DSL line attenuation? Outlook cannot connect to your mail server? How to access the signal levels of my cable modem behind a Wi-Fi router? How to fix stuck Windows update issue under Windows 7?

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Satellite Internet - What is it? Broadband Forums General Discussion Gallery. Console Gaming. Many years ago, mainstream broadband connections were rated Kbps and Kbps. Now, speeds above 5 Mbps are common, with 10 Mbps and higher the norm in some cities and countries. The Mbps and Gbps ratings of network equipment including internet connections get prominent billing in product sales and marketing.

However, these data rates are only indirectly connected to network speed and the performance levels that users of a network actually experience. For example, consumers and home networks normally generate only a small amount of network traffic, but in rapid bursts, from usages like Web browsing and email.

Even a relatively modest sustained data rate like 5 Mbps is sufficient for most Netflix streaming. Network load only gradually increases as more devices and users are added. Much of that traffic is incoming from the internet rather than self-generated within the home, where long-distance networking delays and other limits of a household's internet link often not always dictate the overall performance experience. People less familiar with computer networking believe one kilobit equals bits.

This equivalence is untrue in networking but may be valid in other contexts. Specifications for network adapters , network routers , and other equipment always use bit kilobits as the basis of their quoted data rates.

The confusion arises as computer memory and disk drive manufacturers often use byte kilobytes as the basis of their quoted capacities. Get more background by exploring our article about the difference between bits and bytes. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance.