Wi-Fi Speeds | A Complete Guide

Learn more about Wi-Fi and the factors in your home that affect the speed of the Internet you use over Wi-Fi.

It is important to note that speed can also be affected by external factors such as networks in New Zealand and overseas, environmental factors and the location of the server you are connected to.

What is the difference between Wi-Fi and Ethernet?

There are two ways to connect to the Internet:

Ethernet. Here you connect an Ethernet cable from the router to the computer. It offers you a stable and faster connection, but you need to have the cable plugged in when you want to connect to the internet.

Wifi. This allows you to connect to the internet without connecting any cables to your device. Data is sent wirelessly between the router and the device.

Distance from the router

The farther the device is from the router, the weaker the Wi-Fi signal will be. If you have a large house, there may be areas where your Wi-Fi coverage has fewer signal bars or dead spots where it can't reach.

The number of devices using the same network.

Many households have numerous devices, such as cell phones and laptops, that simultaneously connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Some households also have smart devices like Wi-Fi-connected TVs, security cameras, voice assistants, smart lights, smart plugs, and vacuum cleaners.

If you use the internet on a device, it will access most of the available bandwidth. When multiple devices use the internet at the same time, the available bandwidth is shared between them.

Wi-Fi bands

Most newer routers have two Wi-Fi bands: 2.4GHz or 5GHz. When you searched for your Wi-Fi name on your device, you might have noticed two similarly named options.

The 2.4GHz band provides Wi-Fi coverage in a wider area but has slower speeds. The 5GHz band offers higher speeds but for a smaller area. Some devices can only connect to 2.4GHz.
Newer routers have bandwidth control. This means that your device will automatically connect to the correct Wi-Fi band based on your distance from the router.

If you use another type of router, you must select the most suitable band yourself to connect to the Internet via WiFi. If you want WiFi in more rooms in your home, choose 2.4GHz. If you have a smaller open house, 5GHz may provide a better WiFi experience if your device can connect to it.

WiFi interference and obstacles

Your Wi-Fi network may be experiencing interference. Some factors in your home that can cause this are:

Physical barriers. This is one of the most likely reasons why the WiFi signal cannot reach your device. Concrete or metal barriers such as walls, floors, TVs or aquariums can reduce or block the WiFi signal.

Other devices in use. Most microwaves operate in the 2.4 GHz spectrum. This is the same as many wireless devices, so your microwave may interfere with your WiFi. Other household appliances, such as cordless phones, refrigerators, and baby monitors, can also interfere with your WiFi.

Your devices

Older cell phones, computers and other devices may not be compatible with higher speeds. Check with your device manufacturer for the maximum Wi-Fi speeds it supports.

Viruses or firewalls can also slow down the speed of your device. Keep your anti-virus software up to date.

What can I do to improve my speed?

Some things you can try:

Check the location of your router. Place it in a central location above the floor, away from objects that cause interference.

For fibre optic broadband, check that the Ethernet cable connecting your fibre optic box (ONT) to your router is Cat 5e or higher. Above. This is because Category 5 or lower Ethernet cables limit the maximum speed to 100 Mbps or less. Most Ethernet cables have the category printed on the cable.

If you want a faster, more stable connection, connect devices such as televisions and desktop computers to your router using an Ethernet cable. Check if the cable is Cat 5e or better. This may not be possible on some devices, such as mobile phones, and you will not be able to move around with your device. Check your device. If you connect an older device to the internet, it may not be compatible with higher speeds. Contact your device manufacturer to find out what speeds your device is capable of.

Extend your coverage. If your WiFi doesn't reach the farthest corners of your home, a mesh router can help extend your WiFi signal. Installing a mesh or WiFi extender allows devices further away from your router to connect to the Internet, but speeds may not improve if you have a slower plan or if your WiFi network is down. one of the factors listed above is affected.