- Your WiFi internet speed will prove to be stronger the nearer you are to the router because WiFi incorporates speed steps.
- It is important to note though that your WiFi speed is different from your internet speed. Your WiFi speed may rely on the strength of the signal from your router to where you are positioned.
- The type of connection available in your area may also affect internet speeds.
People want a stable and reliable internet connection that doesn’t lag or interrupt their online activities. While you may subscribe to one of the best plans offered by the biggest internet service providers, you may still notice a slow WiFi internet speed from time to time. Before you escalate the problem to your ISP, try checking whether you are in close range of your router.
Does WiFi Speed Decrease With Range?
The simple answer to this is yes.
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Speed Steps
Your WiFi internet speed will prove to be stronger the nearer you are to the router because WiFi incorporates speed steps. This means that it tends to jump down to the next known speed in case the current link you are using fails to keep up. Your WiFi will step the speed down until it finds a link that is good and stable enough. To illustrate, the typical steps taken for 802.11g are 54Mbps to 36Mbps, to 24Mbps and lower. This means that if you have a 100Mbps internet plan, you can only enjoy a speed of 54Mbps in case you are considerably far from your access point. For you to enjoy a faster speed, you need a better WiFi signal.
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Internet Speed
It is important to note though that your WiFi speed is different from your internet speed. Your WiFi speed may rely on the strength of the signal from your router to where you are positioned. On the contrary, your internet speed relies on your internet service provider.
In this case, your router will most likely attain a fixed signal from your provider. For instance, if your plan features a premium speed of 100Mbps, you should be able to achieve this (or a bit less) when you do a speed test with a wired connection. More often than not, your router will be able to acquire data from your provider if there are no issues with the connection technology to your premises.
However, if the results of checking the speed of your internet through a wired connection yield a speed lower than what your provider advertised, then you may need to get in touch with your ISP. This is because they are the ones in the best position to address this matter. On the other hand, if the results of the wired speed test reveal a speed that your ISP promises, then you have to check the signal strength of your WiFi from your router to determine whether this is causing the slowdown of your WiFi internet speed.
Things You Can Do To Improve Wifi Signal Strength
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Optimal Router Position
There are several things that you can do to improve the signal strength of your WiFi from your router. First, make sure that your router is placed somewhere free from any other signal interference coming from other devices such as your television. As much as possible, you should not store your router in a cabinet as this can also affect your WiFi internet speed.
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Use of a Repeater
There is also the option for you to leverage repeaters to boost the WiFi signal strength in your home. This proves beneficial for large homes because the WiFi signal may fail to reach other portions of the house. In this case, a repeater will be able to amplify the signal accordingly.
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Switch Internet Plans
What most people don’t realize is that your choice of internet plan may actually be the reason why you’re not getting the speed you need. For example, if your household consists of three or four members who are actively using the internet, then a plan with 25mbps is certainly insufficient. Therefore, you need to look into a higher speed tier plan that may well accommodate your online activities.
Another factor to consider is the type of connection available in your area. While fixed-line gets the job done, not all areas have access to it. Also, some fixed-line connections may also have speed issues. Those that still use copper lines are likely to experience throttled connection as compared to those who have pure fibre lines. To learn which connection type is available in your area, you can call us at Compare Broadband. Our friendly experts are always on the line to help you!
Popular NBN Internet Plans
| Internet Provider | Internet Plan | Speed Tier | |
|---|---|---|---|
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NBN Unlimited Belong Standard Plus broadband plan on the NBN™ | 50Mbps | See Belong Internet Plans |
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NBN Standard Plus (nbn50) Unlimited Dodo broadband plan | 50Mbps | See Dodo Internet Plans |
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NBN The 50 (nbn50) Uniti Wireless NBN™ Broadband Plan | 50Mbps | See Uniti Wireless Internet Plans |
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NBN 100GB Build your own nbn™ Aussie Broadband plan - Standard Plus Speed | 50Mbps | See Aussie Broadband Internet Plans |
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NBN Optus Internet Everyday NBN™ Bundle Plan | 50Mbps | See Optus Internet Plans |
In a Nutshell
One of the factors that can affect your WiFi speed is the range or how far away you are from your router. So yes, your WiFi internet speed may decrease with range. Because of this, it is a good idea to optimally position your router or even use a repeater to ensure that your signal is strong in all portions of your home. Otherwise, get in touch with your internet service provider to ensure that no other issues affect your internet connection.
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