Fast Downloads, Slow Uploads: The Painful Reality of Internet Speeds In?Kenya.

I’ve been creating content via my blog at MosesKemibaro.com for around 17 years and for this amount time uploading content has never really been an issue. However, in the last couple of years, since I really started creating lots of video and audio content for my YouTube Channel and podcast, the need for fast(er) internet uploads has become a real thing when there are days you could be pushing 10GB+ files to the Internet. There have been instances of the connection timing out and forcing you to do multiple attempts. Its not an ideal scenario but I have managed to more or less handle it as things stand.?

However, earlier today, I was trying to upload some moderately large video files?—?a process that should have taken a minutes but was stretching into a frustratingly long wait at a time when I had other things to do. Now, as it turns out, I currently have access to three different internet service providers (ISPs) and I assumed that any one of them would be fast enough to get the job done quickly. After all, they all offer impressive download speeds, as advertised. That being said, I soon discovered that there’s a big gap between the download speeds they promise, and the upload speeds that really matter when you’re pushing large files to the Internet.

The reality is that for most individuals and businesses in Kenya, the focus is usually on download speeds for use cases such as streaming Netflix or YouTube, downloading apps, or just browsing the web, where having fast download speeds is key. But, for those of us who work with large files?—?whether you’re a content creator, a digital marketer, or running a business?—?upload speeds are equally, if not more, important. I can’t help but emphasize how crucial this can be if you are trying to meet important deadlines on the work you are doing and for some inexplicable reason your Internet connection when it comes to uploads is painfully slow.?

Therefore, being the sort of person that I am, I tested the internet speeds across all three ISPs, and the results told the full story. Two of the services offer impressive download speeds of around 100 Mbps, but their upload speeds were significantly lower. The third ISP had nearly equal download and upload speeds, which made all the difference in getting my files uploaded quickly. Let me also point out that I was in the process of terminating the services of the third ISP as I no longer needed them but literally reversed this decision when I fired up their network to do the testing (I had turned it off last week).?

So, here’s how they stacked up, as below:

ISP 1: Download: 68.1 Mbps | Upload: 68.5 Mbps (Balanced)

ISP 2: Download: 97.6 Mbps | Upload: 21.6 Mbps

ISP 3: Download: 105 Mbps | Upload: 9.19 Mbps

From this test, it’s clear that while ISP 2 and ISP 3 offer decent download speeds, their upload speeds are far too slow to handle large files efficiently. In contrast, ISP 1 provided symmetrical speeds that allowed for much faster uploads.

The Kenya-Specific Challenge of Upload?Speeds

This experience points to a bigger issue in Kenya’s internet market. Most ISPs market their packages based on download speeds, which makes sense for the average user. Downloading files, streaming videos, and gaming are the key use cases for most consumers.?

But for businesses, content creators, and anyone who needs to send large files?—?think photographers, videographers, or even businesses uploading massive data files to the cloud?—?upload speeds can be the deciding factor between getting things done in minutes, versus hours, or even days.?

The reality is that in Kenya, quite often it seems, Internet upload speeds are a neglected part of the Internet user experience equation. ISPs tend to emphasize the download speeds in their marketing while glossing over the fact that their upload speeds are often a fraction of the download speed. This asymmetry can be a real problem for anyone needing to send data out quickly.

Why ISPs in Kenya Should Focus on Symmetrical Speeds

The need for faster, symmetrical internet speeds in Kenya is clearly growing as the exponential rise of digital creators, the increasing shift toward cloud-based business solutions, and the expansion of e-commerce all demand that ISPs rethink their approach. Uploads are no longer just a “nice-to-have”?—?they’re essential for businesses and individuals alike to thrive in the modern digital context.?

If we’re to compete in the global digital economy, our internet infrastructure needs to support not just consumers who want fast downloads but also professionals who require fast uploads. ISPs should start clearly communicating what upload speeds their customers can expect, so they can choose the best package for their needs. There’s even an opportunity for ISPs to create new tiers specifically for those who rely on high upload speeds, such as content creators or digital businesses.

The Way Forward for Kenya’s Internet?Market

In a country like Kenya, where more people are embracing digital content creation and digital-first business models, it’s time for ISPs to provide solutions that cater to the full spectrum of internet use. At the very least, ISPs should be upfront about their upload speeds in the same way they advertise download speeds. This will help customers make informed decisions based on their specific needs?—?whether they’re streaming videos or uploading large files to the Internet.?

For anyone regularly uploading large files, live streaming, or using cloud services, paying attention to your ISP’s upload speeds is crucial. It might just save you from the frustration I experienced today. As Kenya continues to grow its digital economy, here’s hoping our ISPs catch on and start delivering internet packages that cater to all our needs?—?both for downloading and, just as importantly, for uploading too.?