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Question

WIFI slow download speed, both 2.4 & 5 bands; ISP vs Router

Apr 24, 2018 2:45PM PDT

I have 100Mb symmetrical contracted with Axtel, they installed a Zhone 2516 modem that through direct connection with cable from my PC to the Zhone gives me average speeds of 90Mb both download and upload, and through WiFi only 20-30Mb Download and Upload, so they tell me at Axtel that it is necessary to buy new equipment with 5G band to have the 100Mb over WiFi.

I purchase the TP-Link Archer C50 V3 from an authorized dealer with enough features to provide the above mentioned speed. I configure it with advice from Axtel technical support so that the Zhone modem changes "layer" and then the TP-Link already with cloned MAC can work properly.

I start to test the speed with speedtest.net. Through a cable connection from my PC to the Archer this gives me >90Mb of download and upload, confirming that the router effectively receives the 100Mb contracted from Axtel. However with Wifi test (my PC is 2.4G) it gives me about 30Mb of both upload and download, although sometimes it does give me >40Mb.

The numbers may seem "normal" for band 2.4, however a few months ago I had 50MB contracted with IZZI, and in all my devices (the same, including cell phones) I always had speeds of 40-50Mb with their Techcnicolor router band 2.4 Ghz, discarding from here that my computers or my wireless cards could be the problem at the physical/hardware level, besides the fact that the WiFi signal is good and there is no equipment that could interfere with the signal.

Continuing with the tests: My Galaxy S5 cell phone that has both bands on its wireless network card gives the following results consistently:
Band 2.4: ~20Mb download, ~50 upload.
Band 5: ~30Mb download, ~90Mb upload.

It can be seen that the upload speed is consistent with the band being used, however the download speed always remains slower.

Another device, a Galaxy S4 cell phone.
Band 2.4: ~35Mb download, ~50Mb upload.
Band 5: ~55Mb download, ~95Mb upload

As summary:

During these days I configured the router, (followed the steps described here: https://www.tp-link.com/us/faq-1077.html), changing WiFi channels, WiFi security types, firmware update (https://www.tp-link.com/en/download/Archer-C50_V3.html#...), cable replacement, router position change, disconnection of wireless devices in my house, etc. and despite all this the router did not improve, the WiFi problem is still present.

All this I showed them is exactly the same as what I sent them to TP-Link technical support but they said: " the router will not give you more since the provider is not giving you what you have contracted, you must ask for the change of the Axtel modem. It's the only way to make sure you're actually getting what you agreed to. Greetings."

But personally for me that doesn't make sense, because I'm already receiving the 100Mb from Axtel when I connect through enternet cable my laptop to the router (and the modem too). And if I talk to Axtel they tell me that the problem is the TPLink Router.

I need to know if the problem is about the router configuration or if it is a physical problem and requires the router to be replaced, and how to clarify it with the respective company.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Usually the router.
Apr 24, 2018 2:51PM PDT

Be sure the router is at its latest firmware. Also, the 2.4GHz band often clocks in lower on so many models. Use the 5GHz for speed.

As to 100 megabits, I fear that since you didn't opt for gigabit ports you are seeing the results. I'd try a newer dual core router with gigabit ports next.

I did this and it kicked the old 100 megabit port model to the curb.

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Already did those
Apr 24, 2018 3:09PM PDT

1. The router is updated.
2. Already tested 5Ghz as posted above.
3. What has to do the Gigabit port with the slow download (not upload) WiFi speed?

Thanks for the answer tho.

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3. A lot.
Apr 24, 2018 3:12PM PDT

These 100 megabit WAN port routers do turn in lower numbers. I took a look at others that reviewed this model and similar complaints.

As such I don't hold any hope of getting up to your wired speeds.

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Wired speed is normal, WiFi is not.
Apr 24, 2018 3:19PM PDT

But if you read my post I said that wired speed is normal, the only big problem is WiFi download speed (not upload speed, upload is normal, it really gets 100Mb through 5Ghz).

So I don't get how the lack of a Gigabit port affect ONLY the download WiFi speed but NOT the upload speed.

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I did read that.
Apr 24, 2018 3:30PM PDT

WiFi taxes the CPU in the router more than the wired connection plus the other WiFi compatibility issues. If you can look deeper you can find the link speed of the WiFi in some devices.

After reading a few reviews my thought here is to get to a better router and such would have dual core CPU, Gigibit ports and better reviews. I've seen folk get hung up on an idea that 100 megabit ports would be enough but the issue is deeper than just that.

In parting be sure your WiFi link speed is as good or bad as you suspect as well as WiFi is not interfered with during testing. I use one of my Android phones and "WiFi Analyzer" to see what's around the hot spot area.

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Alright
Apr 24, 2018 5:32PM PDT

My link speed is between 263 and 300Mbps. I used WiFi Analyzer and I have good strength signal and no more 5gHz networks nearby.

So if you tell me that the problem still being the Gigabit ports and also the CPU then I will research about it.

The problem is that TPLink and the dealer told me that this router is able to reach the 100Mb WiFi speed, I mean, the symmetrical 100Mb I have contracted, and if I tell them that that is not true because of the Gigabit ports and CPU, how they will accept that that is the problem and reclaim my warranty? Because they insist the problem is the modem.

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At least the link speed is good.
Apr 24, 2018 5:39PM PDT

To test this we can't use an internet speed test. A common test I use is to FTP a large file from a PC that is wired. While this is all fun and such, when you see a router like this one, you carry in one of the gigabit to show that it does make a difference. Once in a while you get a client that insists on fixing their router. Maybe there's something in settings but reviews didn't give me the feeling this router is going to deliver.

Now if you go rogue with DDWRT or another firmware I can't guess is that will help as I don't have your router to test.

As to telling them it's not true, I'm not the authority to use here. I can read reviews as well as anyone and didn't find folk hitting full speed on testing. Since I've fixed too many with dual core gigabit routers, that's my go to solution. Some will disagree with that and look for more settings. But since we are on the clock when I'm out in the field, we weigh time vs hardware when solving these issues. To invest hours when you have a solution ready to go would be hard to justify.

-> Let's sum it up. Someone told you this would do the trick. Take it back to them to solve.

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More about the router.
Apr 24, 2018 3:09PM PDT

Be sure the router is doing as little work as possible. We can't use its firewall, MAC filters or parental controls and expect top speed (unless it's one of the new gigabit dual core models.)

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Ok
Apr 24, 2018 3:12PM PDT

1. Firewall is disabled.
2. MAC filters and parental controls are disabled too.

Result: same Sad

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Answer
Just a note about W10
Apr 25, 2018 8:34AM PDT
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Answer
And yet another nod to get to Gigabit gear.
Apr 25, 2018 9:26AM PDT