fharden's profile

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Poor wifi speeds

I am getting 27 down when I have the 100 plan. The direct ethernet link is getting 100+. I have tried 3 different WiFi routers and the speeds are the same. Is there anything I can do to get better speeds? I have tested with and without the range extender and the speeds are the same. There are 5 devices connected and as much as 7 only 3 days a week.

Routers: Apple airport extreme, Netgear C3000, Linksys X2000

Modem: Cisco DOCSIS 3, DPC3010

Belkin Range extender.

I have Contour TV, and cox Homelife

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Since you are getting 100+ wired, that eliminates the cable line and DPC3010 from the problem.  It is definitely a WiFi issue.  The Netgear C3000 is a gateway, I assume you removed the DPC3010 before connecting it, you can't connect a gateway to a modem.  The X2000 has a dsl modem built-in.  They both are wireless N300 devices and not really suitable.  The AirPort Extreme is the only unit I would test with.

What are the WiFi specs on the device you are using to run speedtests?  Are you connecting using wireless g or n?  2.4GHz or 5GHz?  If you are using 2.4GHz, there could be a lot if interference killing your speed.  In the real world (forget specs) wireless g will give you about 20Mbps, wireless n about 40-50Mbps.  If you use the 40MHz channel setting on wireless n, you may push it 70-80Mbps it you get a clean signal with minimal interference.

If you really want to get 100+ Mbps, you need a client device capable of 5GHz wireless ac, your AirPort Extreme should handle that.

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Ok, and yes 2.4 GHz "g" the only way to get anything close to the suggested speed is to get a AC class router? but also wouldn't you need a wireless card upgrade? We live in a two story townhouse and have the router on top of a entertainment center and an extender on the second floor. HMMMM looks like I will be looking for a wireless router upgrade. OH and the netgear C3000 was used before the cisco DOCSIS. :)

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fharden, your current config is a Cisco DPC3010 modem into an AirPort Extreme, correct?  What generation AirPort Extreme do you have?  The original generation (2003) only supported "g", the 1st gen (2007) started supporting wireless n but not gigabit ethernet.  2nd gen (mid 2007) and up support both gigabit ethernet and wireless n.  The 6th gen (2013) added wireless ac.

Wireless g won't do any better than what you are getting.  Wireless n may double or triple your WiFi speed.  Wireless ac will make it hum ... possibly better than 150Mbps.

Yes, you need a card capable of whatever wireless standard you are using with your router.  So, yes, you will need a router upgrade if you have an older generation of the AirPort and a card upgrade.  You may also need to upgrade your extender if it doesn't support you new WiFi network.  If you are upgrading your router, I would look at the Netgear Nighthawk series.  They have the strongest radio of any WiFi router I've seen, no promises but may let you get away without the extender.

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Thanks, AllenP! I was thinking I would need an upgrade. The airport is an older model, I guess it is time to retire it and get a nighthawk. Thank you guys for the help. FH