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Question

Different ISP on same router big difference on download spee

Apr 25, 2018 6:15PM PDT

Hi All, first time on this forum and need your expert help Happy

I have a home router Linksys E1200 and currently using HKBN (Hong Kong Broadband) service provider that gives 100Mbps connection fiber to the building, cable from router going into computer has roughly 90~mbps and wifi has both download and upload around 80 mbps on all wireless devices (iPhone and iPad).

Now i just got another service provider PCCW to install a new fiber optic line 1000mbps Fiber to the home (uses its own fiber optic modem) that's plugged into the same router, no settings changed. But it is only getting 40Mbps download and 80Mbps upload.

I tried updating the firmware to the latest version for Linksys router, but results are the same.

Seeing how all the cables are plugged in the same and no changes on the settings, i'm wondering if the ISP PCCW's protocol might be affecting the wifi performance? The only thing i can think of is the cable from the modem to router is CAT 5e for PCCW. As for HKBN i could care less if it is Cat 5 or 5e as i'm getting a higher download speed anyway.

Any help will be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Dan

EDIT: cable plug in works the same, getting 90Mbps from both ISP which is as expected since they are FastEthernet ports, the difference in download/upload speed only happens to WiFi

Post was last edited on April 25, 2018 6:32 PM PDT

Discussion is locked

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Answer
You'll have to get the ISP to tell you this.
Apr 25, 2018 6:28PM PDT
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thanks
Apr 25, 2018 6:34PM PDT

Thanks for the reply, forgot to mention the difference in download speed difference only exists in Wifi but not cable.

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Not the first to report this.
Apr 25, 2018 6:54PM PDT

It's a common complaint. So far my calls have me changing out the router from 100 to 1000 megabit.
There are folk that are sure there's another fix but if the router and WiFi drivers are up to date, we swap the router. You think it's an ISP thing so I have to defer to them on that.

Yes, WiFi is different. It's half duplex versus the wired connections so technical. There's going to be a lot of 100 megabit routers on the used market.

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Answer
PS. Example same complaint.
Apr 25, 2018 7:06PM PDT
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2.4 Ghz?
Apr 25, 2018 7:18PM PDT

Not trying to beat on a dead horse here, I understand that due to my router only available on 2.4 Ghz, would it be because of the difference in speed to the router that is causing this issue? Is there any difference in protocol sent via different ISPs? Sorry just a noob here in terms of ISP side of things

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IP protocol is same but
Apr 26, 2018 8:21AM PDT

Since routers have limitations and timing can vary, the WiFi being half duplex can cause a drop. Not only that but W10 machines can be doing update sharing and tank the testing results. I noted that here and there but I do encounter folk that didn't understand the impact and did not make the changes required.

How did I find out? We went on with a deep dive into the PC and the Web Speccy report showed me they had not completed the work. When asked, they replied they didn't feel it would help. That's fine, let them be at that point.

To get the most out of old 100 megabit routers you should at least be on the 5GHz channel.

To repeat, WiFi latency and being in the open conspire to bring down the speed. Since it's such a common complaint and we fixed it so many times with a gigabit router we know to try firmware, settings and drivers but don't over expend effort here. That has upset folk that feel you (or I) must keep trying.

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Answer
Wifi
Apr 27, 2018 2:16AM PDT

You changed your isp and the modem.

Up and down speed wired remains the same as the old isp.

Wifi speed has dropped.

Call your isp and see if there is some router setting needed to mate the router to their modem.

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Answer
Plus 1 for a new router
Apr 28, 2018 4:22AM PDT

I think you definitely could use a gigabit router - your wired performance will benefit immediately - at least up to the speed of your NICs in the wired devices, remember the speed of the link is limited by the slowest component. And with a gigabit router, I'd be inclined to go with CAT6 cable.

As to the wifi, I wonder if the clue is in the speeds you are getting on the new ISP service? Your upload speed (controlled by your devices and router) is unchanged but your download speed is halved. Could this be due to the modem overrunning the router and dropping packets? They should negotiate, as they have successfully for the slower outgoing uploads but maybe the difference on the incoming signal is too great? I'd be looking at a faster wifi side to the router too, maybe AC3200 or even AC5300 but your new ISP should be able to advise you what they recommend.

It was all so much easier with cocoa tins and wet string!! Grin