Symmetrical service

From FiOSWiki

Symmetrical service refers to Internet service with a maximum upload speed that is equal to its maximum download speed. (By contrast, most Internet service providers offer maximum upload speeds that are much lower than their maximum download speeds.)

On October 23, 2007, Verizon announced that it would begin offering FiOS symmetrical Internet service, featuring an upload and download speed of up to 20 Mbps, in parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

On November 20, 2007, Verizon announced that it would offer symmetrical service to FiOS customers in 16 states, with download and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps or 15 Mbps, depending on the area.

According to a news release published that day, "Using a 20 Mbps upstream broadband connection, a consumer could upload a 250 megabyte (MB) file of 200 photos in about 90 seconds, compared with about 47 minutes over a 768 kilobits per second (kbps) upstream connection. A 500 MB file, such as 400 digital photos or a medical imaging data set, could upload in less than four minutes, compared with about 90 minutes over a 768 kbps connection. A 3 gigabyte (GB) file, such as a one-hour family video shot with a high-definition video camera, can be uploaded in around 20 minutes, compared with more than nine hours with 768 kbps upstream."

FiOS symmetrical services are available for as low as $64.99 a month with an annual service plan.