Definition of Mbps ... False advertising...!
SegaAges
Enthusiast - Level 1

Here is what your website says about Mbps...

"What are Mbps?

In referencing Internet speeds, we often refer to Mbps (Megabytes per second) and Kbps (Kilobytes per second).

A Megabyte per second is a unit of data transfer rate equal to:

  • 1,000,000 bits per second or
  • 1,000 kilobits per second or
  • 125,000 bytes per second

Simply put, it's the unit of measurement we use when discussing the volume of information transferred between a website and your Internet browser (download) or from your Internet browser to a website (upload). The higher the number, the faster you’ll be able to do an activity—like downloading files, streaming music, or uploading pictures—online."

Simply put, this is wrong.  Mbps is actually Megabits per second, not Megabytes.  Offering speeds of 30 Megabytes per second would actually be read as, 240 Mbps, the key here is the B in your acronym, and the fact you are calling a bit a byte.  I know, semantics, sure.  However any person who knows the difference between a bit and a byte will tell you your math is dead wrong.

- 1 Megabyte per second is equal to:

     - 8,388,608 bits per second or

     - 8,192 kilobits per second or

     - 1,048,576 bytes per second

As you can see, your figures are off by a factor of 8.  This is because 1 Byte is equal to 8 Bits.  I recommend you guys read up on what you are advertising in your FAQ.

-Nick

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Re: Definition of Mbps ... False advertising...!
somegirl
Champion - Level 3

This is a peer-to-peer support forum. If you want to get a message to Verizon, you should contact them directly via one of the options on their Contact Us page.

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Re: Definition of Mbps ... False advertising...! ENGLISH USAGE ALERT
armond_in_nj1
Master - Level 1

@SegaAges wrote:

... the key here is the B in your acronym [sic], and the fact you are calling a bit a byte.  I know, semantics, sure ...



Since you brought it up, and since you seem genuinely interested in correct English usage, you may want to check your use of "acronym."  Acronyms are by definition pronounceable.  What you meant of course is "initialism."

A small lapse, and not to worry.

Re: Definition of Mbps ... False advertising...! ENGLISH USAGE ALERT
walt178
Specialist - Level 3

@armond_in_nj wrote:

Acronyms are by definition pronounceable.  What you meant of course is "initialism."


Thanks for that tidbit.  I used --and hated-- acronyms all of my working life.  But had never thought about them from a grammatical standpoint. I just knew there were too many to keep up with what they stood for. It's amazing what one can learn on the forum.

Re: Definition of Mbps ... False advertising...! ENGLISH USAGE ALERT
SegaAges
Enthusiast - Level 1

Cheers!  

 

" Acronyms are by definition pronounceable.  What you meant of course is "initialism." "

 

TIL the difference between initialism and acronyms.  🙂

 

And my apologies for posting this topic in the wrong area.  It's not a huge deal, and I probably wasted more time on this than I should have.  However, as an IT professional, you often cringe when bits and bytes are mixed up.  It’d be like mixing up the measurement of a foot and a yard.  You guys get it, I don’t need to explain. 

 

Take care.

 

-Nick

 

p.s. “TIL” is the initialism for – “Today I Learned”.  I'm so happy right now for some reason.  LOL

Re: Definition of Mbps ... False advertising...!
tns2
Community Leader
Community Leader

Mbps.  Originally mega baud per second.  A baud is not the same as a bit,  but these days is normally stated as being the same on so is most often read as Mega bits per second.  Normally digital communication is state in bits.

MBps.  Note the capital B.   Mega Bytes per second.  Eight bits make up a byte.  Bytes being typically used in most computers.  Note that in communication many different systems used to be in use include 7 bits per character, but now most often 8 bits or sometimes 16 bits per character.

The other problem is that mega and kilo are used for something's as 1,000,000 and 1000 and sometime as 1,048,576 and 1024.  e.g.. Disk size usually the first and memory the second.  The decimal form is Usually used in communication but not always.

Not sure what page on Verizon the OP was mentioning but clearly it needs some correction.

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