Internet Speed Details?

[Tyler Neibarger]

Hello,

I have been researching internet speeds lately, and I am direly confused. I can figure out what the difference is between the speeds of the ISP and the speed of the router/modem.

To give a little more information. Say my ISP provides me 50 Mbps, and my router can provide up to 300 Mbps. Now is this 50 Mbps my download speed or is that different? Why would that be different since they are telling me I am getting this speed?

And one last question is why are they making routers that can go 300 Mpbs or even 1 Gbps when the ISP can only provide 50 Mbps? These speeds aren't adding up.

Thank you in advance!
Am I asking this correctly, or do I need to rephrase this?