WiFi works at the same speed in both directions, but that's not true for your Internet connection. There downloads are 4 times as fast as uploads (which makes sense as, in general, most traffic is from a server to your device rather than the other way round).

In reply to a post by hk11:

Thanks, so despite all the variables, in theory, 3mbps is very slow as the maximun *should be* 144Mbps?

If you had a speed test server in your home, connected by Ethernet to your router, and your iPad standing just in front of the router, and the iPad is running well, the WiFi speeds theoretically would max out at 144 Mbps in pure lab conditions. Very unlikely to be met on any WiFi version.

I have done this test myself using laptops on WiFi and a very fast server on 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, and I have seen WiFi 4 (N) manage around 80 Mbps in both directions. These were FAST laptops. iPads are not the same as laptops.

But the OP is talking about his 40/10 Internet connection.

I'm not asking about my Internet connection, just my wifi.

But if downloads are working at near the guarenteed speed why would uploads not follow?

I not expecting the full 144, given I am working over a 9Mbps connection, but why would there be a 3Mbps top speed given that the download is around the 36Mbps?

So you are testing the speed to a local server rather than using an Internet speed test?

I understand the maximum. It should be 10Mbps actually, but I think Vodafone say 9 as there is some sort of Ofcom rule saying they can't quote speeds above what they provide.

Given the max is 40, well 36 is quoted, download and I get near or even above this, I don't understand why I only get a third of the upload (9 or 10Mbps). It's obviously not an iPad limitation given the quoted 144Mbps, even if we allow for all sorts of veriables.

But why, given the download is actually obtained?

No, an Internet speed test.