Data rate

The data rate is the amount of information sent through a communications channel in a given time interval. The rate or speed of an internet connection is generally expressed in kbps (kilobits per second).

The rate for an ADSL line can be 1024 kbps for example. For downloads, this value refers to the data transmission speed from the access provider to the user's computer. The upload rate refers to the amount of data sent by the user's computer to his access provider.