---
title: "Lesson 5.5 - Upload Bandwidth"
description: "Upload Bandwidth Specs: the speed at which your stream data travels from your computer to the streaming platform. Minimum for serious streaming: 20 Mbps dedicated symmetric fiber upload Why 20 Mbps:..."
url: https://thestreameragency.com/courses/streaming-setup-pro/lessons/setup-pro-5-5-upload/
date: 2026-05-06
modified: 2026-05-06
author: "The Streamer Agency"
type: lp_lesson
lang: en
---

# Lesson 5.5 - Upload Bandwidth

**Upload Bandwidth Specs:** the speed at which your stream data travels from your computer to the streaming platform.

**Minimum for serious streaming:** 20 Mbps dedicated symmetric fiber upload

**Why 20 Mbps:**

- 1080p 60fps streaming requires 6,000-8,000 Kbps (6-8 Mbps) dedicated to stream output

- You need 2-3x headroom for stable broadcasting (network conditions fluctuate)

- Other devices on your network (phones, tablets, smart TVs) consume bandwidth simultaneously

- Multi-streaming to two platforms doubles the requirement

**Symmetric vs asymmetric:**

- Asymmetric (most cable internet): high download, low upload (e.g., 500 Mbps down / 20 Mbps up)

- Symmetric (typically fiber): equal download and upload speeds

- For streamers, upload is what matters. Symmetric fiber connections are the standard for serious streaming.

**How to verify your actual bandwidth:**

- Run speedtest.net at peak streaming time (typically 8-11pm local)

- Test specifically the upload speed

- Run 3-5 tests over different times to verify consistency

- If your contracted speed is 20 Mbps and you actually deliver 12 Mbps consistently, your ISP is the bottleneck

**The wired ethernet rule:** always wired. Wi-Fi packet loss kills streams above 1080p 30fps. Hard requirement.