Internet Speeds

[Macnificant]

I have for I don't know how long getting low speed tests on ethernet and wifi. I have spectrum 400+ mps package. I am using a 6-7 year old motorola S6141 with a 6 gen Airport Extreme. On the ethernet connected desktop PC i am getting low 30s to mid 30s mbps and on wifi devices I am getting low 20s.

I am looking for advice on improving my speed.....not sure its the modem/router, service or setup...what to check etc

thanks

 

[jtara]

Given the slow speed on Ethernet connection, I suspect the service. Since you are paying the big bucks for this, get them to fix it.

that said, you are over-paying for service given your current modem. From it’s Amazon listing:

• 8 Download Channels and 4 Upload Channels capable of up to 343 Mbps download and 131 upload speeds. Recommended for Internet Plans up to 100 Mbps.

while It’s capable of 343 mbps, your carrier configuration might limit it to lower speed as they’ve probably configured to favor current customer equipment mix. And as well may depend on their encoding setup.

get advice from your carrier on appropriate modems for your service level. As well their tech support can run a remote test on your connection and modem.

 

[Macnificant]

Would you recommend upgrading modem?

 

[jtara]

Would you recommend upgrading modem?

start by asking your carrier, not us! Have them run tests and make modem recommendations. Pick up the phone, it’s free and easy!

ultimately, yes - your current modem cannot take full advantage of the speed tier you are paying for.

but I think something more is going on here and only your carrier can properly sort it.

 

[techwarrior]

start by asking your carrier, not us! Have them run tests and make modem recommendations. Pick up the phone, it’s free and easy!

ultimately, yes - your current modem cannot take full advantage of the speed tier you are paying for.

but I think something more is going on here and only your carrier can properly sort it.

Spectrum offers modems at no cost on many of their plans. Call them, they will start by running diagnostics. My brother has Spectrum, they discovered his connection out by the street was getting flooded, runoff from neighbors irrigation. They fixed that, but problems came back a few months later. Then, they swapped out his modem and he is in good shape now.

With all the competition around the corner, cable co are getting scared and will do a lot to save your business.

 

[jtara]

With all the competition around the corner, cable co are getting scared and will do a lot to save your business.

Absolutely!

I cut off Cox a year ago. My TV/Internet cost went from ~$200/month to $0. (Notwithstanding NetFlix/Amazon Prime/Hulu which I already had.) (My HOA pays $30/month/unit for gigabit symmetrical service from WebPass/Google. So, I guess technically I pay $30/month.)

Ask them to jump, they will ask "how high?"

 

[D.T.]

I have for I don't know how long getting low speed tests on ethernet and wifi. I have spectrum 400+ mps package. I am using a 6-7 year old motorola S6141 with a 6 gen Airport Extreme. On the ethernet connected desktop PC i am getting low 30s to mid 30s mbps and on wifi devices I am getting low 20s.

I am looking for advice on improving my speed.....not sure its the modem/router, service or setup...what to check etc

Well, according to the specs for the S6141, it's 343 Mbps down and 131 Mbps upstream, so I would think the issue isn't with the modem (at least in terms of capability). Since you're getting slow speeds on multiple devices (and different connection strategies), I'd highly suggest contacting your provider.

 

[jtara]

Well, according to the specs for the S6141, it's 343 Mbps down and 131 Mbps upstream, so I would think the issue isn't with the modem (at least in terms of capability)

It depends in part on how the carrier sets up the channels. The product information says "recommended for connections up to 100mbps".

Still, there is likely something else going on here.

Call them, and indulge them while they replace all of your F-connectors yet again...

 

[Erehy Dobon]

.

 

[mmomega]

I would do 2 things. Plug directly in to the modem and verify speeds there with more than 1 speedtest site.
If speeds are still low, I would call the service provider and schedule an appointment for them to check it out.
They will come and test the signal from the modem, the wall jack, as far out as they need to go to find where the issue is.

I recently had a problem where I was getting 50% download and upload where as before the weekend, it was rock solid above advertised speed.
The tech came out and discovered an issue at a node coming in to the neighborhood that affected all houses across 3 neighborhoods. I was the 1st to call and report it.
The next day it was back to rock solid speeds again.

So remove points of failure and test from there, in most cases is, find a good ethernet cable, remove power from the modem for about 30 seconds, plug it back in and allow to fully boot up, hardwire to a computer and test with no other equipment in between. This rules out ANYTHING else.

If you have full speed at the modem and slow speeds behind the airport extreme, that is more than likely the issue.
Slow speeds from the modem is the providers issue.

 

[jerwin]

Are you sure that your ethernet link speed is 1000 Mbs?

 

[Howard2k]

You can’t randomly use the letters m, b, p, and s. . I would post screenshots from a speedtest site and from an Opt-Click of your wifi and lets start there.

 

[Fishrrman]

The Airport Extreme was good "in its time" (I had one), but it's time is over.
Time to look for a faster wifi replacement.
I'd suggest "mesh"...

 

[Howard2k]

The Airport Extreme was good "in its time" (I had one), but it's time is over.
Time to look for a faster wifi replacement.
I'd suggest "mesh"...

There is no mesh faster than the newest AirPort Extreme. Most are slower.

Unless you go with a wifi 6 mesh, but no MacBook can take advantage of that of course.

 

[Fishrrman]

"There is no mesh faster than the newest AirPort Extreme. Most are slower."

Huh...?
Show proof.

 

[Howard2k]

I can’t prove that there aren’t any faster units 😆 do you want me to post the specs of every mesh system?

The MBPros, apart from there nTB and 13” 1.4, are 802.11ac 3x3. The newest Extreme is also 802.11 3x3. So they’re a great match.

Many (perhaps most) mesh wifi systems are 802.11 2x2. Here’s an example:

Linksys Velop: Powerful But Erratic Mesh Router

The Linksys Velop is pretty powerful, but it's also pricey and delivered inconsistent test results.

www.tomsguide.com

There’s only so much bandwidth available and running a mesh means that you may be exposing yourself to reduced antenna coverage and/or CSMA/CA challenges.

Some mesh networks will allow wired backhaul between nodes, which mitigates this issue significantly, and may allow full 3x3 for data (same as the peak capability of most of the MBPros). That’s the same though, it’s not faster.

I don’t know that there aren’t any 4x4 mesh wifi 5 networks (I.e., 4 antennae for data). There probably are one or two, but they won’t give faster performance for the MacBook because the MacBook is 3x3. They will just be far more expensive.

A wifi 6 mesh unit would have to be 3x3 for data too, and so far I haven’t seen any. Though I haven’t done much looking. Again a 3x3 Wifi 6 deployments will only be the same speed because the Pro is Wifi 5. Ditto a 4x4 Wifi 6.

Mesh is typically swapping peak throughout for range. Better consistent performance over a larger distance but lower peak performance. Again, if you throw money at it and buy a super expensive deployment it will run as fast as the Extreme, but can’t run faster. (And to be pedantic, faster processor on the mesh unit may result in fractional performance improvements over an older Extreme 6th gen, but we’re not talking about material improvements like 2x2 vs 3x3).