Time to upgrade the router?

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MileHighKiwi

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#161766 19-Jan-2015 11:00

Our Netcomm Gigabit NF5 router (Free from Vodafone) has been pretty reliable but over the last few weeks I've been concerned with our wifi speed on the laptop (HP DV6). We are on an unlimited cable plan with Vodafone, supposed to be 50Mbps D/L. I've run several speed tests and it's been averaging around 16-19Mbps. I have just done a speed test with the Ethernet cable and it's 49.27Mbps. The PS4 is on Ethernet and averages around 30Mbps. The Roku 3 is hardwired too. The laptop generally sits only a few feet from the router.

Given the disparity between the Ethernet and wife speeds is it likely that the router is the problem and it's time to upgrade? Or could it be the laptop?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Cheers.

Jase2985

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#1217760 19-Jan-2015 17:55

i suspect its due to the laptop not due to the router as the router is N300 so should do a bit better than 17-19mbps

but that being said how noisy/conjected is the area you live in?

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#1217763 19-Jan-2015 18:08

Like you, I'm on VF cable 50/2Mbps.
Cisco DPC3008 modem.
Asus RT-N66U wireless router.
I get full advertised speeds via ethernet AND by wireless.

Yes, it probably is time to get a better router.

But first, install inSSSIDer free on your laptop, and wander through the house checking signal strength and other transmissions on your channel.

inSSIDer 4 will help you get started by answering these questions:

Do I see all my Access Points and SSIDs?
Are my access points on the right channels?
Do I have adequate signal strength?

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BinaryLimited

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#1217765 19-Jan-2015 18:15

Id recommend a wifi router that has the option to disable WPS with the stock firmware or ddwrt(research on their forums before you buy)...security reasons.....just my 2c

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Jase2985

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#1217801 19-Jan-2015 19:01

Sideface: Like you, I'm on VF cable 50/2Mbps.
Cisco DPC3008 modem.
Asus RT-N66U wireless router.
I get full advertised speeds via ethernet AND by wireless.

Yes, it probably is time to get a better router.

But first, install inSSSIDer free on your laptop, and wander through the house checking signal strength and other transmissions on your channel.

inSSIDer 4 will help you get started by answering these questions:

Do I see all my Access Points and SSIDs?
Are my access points on the right channels?
Do I have adequate signal strength?

but what devices do you have though?

that plays a big part in the speed you can get on your wifi network.

sbiddle

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#1217817 19-Jan-2015 19:38

There is nothing wrong.

WiFi is not and never will be a replacement for Ethernet. You can go through basic WiFi fault finding steps such as trying other channels, but for a 2.4Ghz WiFi device that's perfectly acceptable. In many urban environments 2.4Ghz WiFi is a lost cause due to congestion and noise.

If you want to guarantee 50Mbps over WiFi I'd suggest you buy a new router capable of 802.11ac and buy a new 5Ghz 802.11ac WiFi adapter for your laptop.

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#1217835 19-Jan-2015 20:03

I get 50Mbps with Wi-Fi 802.11n 2.4 GHz using an Asus RT-N66U.

I get much less with 5GHz - don't know why.

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Jase2985

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#1217846 19-Jan-2015 20:19

Sideface: I get 50Mbps with Wi-Fi 802.11n 2.4 GHz using an Asus RT-N66U.

I get much less with 5GHz - don't know why.

still haven't said what devices you are using to connect to the network.

Equinox IT

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#1217859 19-Jan-2015 20:32

Jase2985:
Sideface: I get 50Mbps with Wi-Fi 802.11n 2.4 GHz using an Asus RT-N66U.

I get much less with 5GHz - don't know why.

still haven't said what devices you are using to connect to the network.

A 2011 model Vaio laptop with Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 AGN.

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Aredwood

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#1217963 20-Jan-2015 00:09

I can also get 40+mbit over n Wifi. Although often it is around 20mbit. Fritzbox 7390 as an AP to a Samsung galaxy S4mini. Lots of other Wifi networks where I live also.

littleheaven

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#1220106 22-Jan-2015 14:04

I'm on VDSL with a line capable of 36Mbps down, when cabled. I'm getting wireless speeds of high 20's to low 30's from my Asus RT-AC68U router which is bridged to my Spark Technicolour modem. This is a huge improvement on the mid-teens to low 20's I was getting from the Technicolour wireless. It's dual band, and you can set up guest networks that are 5Ghz only, although I've found the 2.4Ghz is so good I've not needed to bother. Not a cheap option but I felt like I got my money's worth.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

Jase2985

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#1221182 23-Jan-2015 22:41

Laptop (MSI GE60) Wifi n from my spark supplied technicolor tg589vn v2, this is only a 150mbps router

vs wired from the desktop

I would suggest your speeds are down to your devices as opposed to your router which is an N300 so should be cabiable of a lot more than you are getting