slow download speeds this morning

Just for fun, how about posting more details .....
- Was the test wired or wireless, if wired on a gigabyte connection, if wireless, what band / standard (n, ac)?
- What modem/router or gateway are you using?

First thought, you are using wireless n and 30-50Mbps is typical for that ... just guessing though, more info will help, thanks.

Hi BillGr,

Are you still having trouble with your speeds being slow? Have you reset your modem and router already? Do you get those speeds from a direct ethernet connection to the modem?

Based on the question you have asked and also that this is relevant to speed, and the fact I currently can only run through WiFi, I have this to say.

Now, I know that the statement about WiFi speed being on the "802.11 n" speed only handling between 30 - 50 Mbps is completely inaccurate because 802.11 n actually handles speeds up to 600 Mbps on 5 GHz network and 150 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. To clarify, 802.11 g is the signal that handles up to 54 Mbps.  Then there is the dual band of 802.11 ac that uses both bands for a smoother performance with less interference. 

With all that said, speaking of speed being connected directly via Ethernet to gain high download speeds is also not 100% accurate. The only thing a direct Ethernet connection does is makes that computer have priority over WiFi signals and is a stable connection. 

Now when it comes to the speed and WiFi, we did a test via WiFi the very evening we upgraded to Premier and was getting an average of 83 Mbps download and 13 Mbps upload on a brand new COX supplied dual band modem. Then come the next day and BOOM, we are experiencing an unstable network where we see download speeds as low as 2 Mbps and never exceed 35 Mbps download. We never come close to going over on our monthly allotted usage, even when it was only 300 GB per month on the Preferred plan. We were always at least 75 GB below the allotment on our Preferred plan. 

Today a technician is supposed to come out between 3PM and 5PM to check our lines and see what is going on.  

All I can say is we are having a horrible experience with Premier because we had more stability with Preferred and averaged 60 Mbps download. I find it to be quite a coincidence that we are experiencing these issues after dropping cable, upgrading to premier, and keeping our current COX home phone service. We used to have a full bundle and this makes me feel as if we are being retaliated against for doing so because it dropped our bill from $234 per month down to $108 per month.  I supposed I will find out after the technician arrives. 

TheGeek said:

Now, I know that the statement about WiFi speed being on the "802.11 n" speed only handling between 30 - 50 Mbps is completely inaccurate because 802.11 n actually handles speeds up to 600 Mbps on 5 GHz network and 150 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. To clarify, 802.11 g is the signal that handles up to 54 Mbps.  Then there is the dual band of 802.11 ac that uses both bands for a smoother performance with less interference. 

It's great someone reads the theoretical maximum speeds for each standard but we are talking about practical, real-world, obtainable speeds here.  Check out this article.  Sure the standard says 802.11n will hit 600Mbps but in practice it's "40-50 Mbps typical, varying greatly depending on configuration, whether it is mixed or N-only network, the number of bonded channels, etc. Specifying a channel, and using 40MHz channels can help achieve 70-80Mbps with some newer routers. Up to 100 Mbps achievable with more expensive commercial equipment with 8x8 arrays, gigabit ports, etc."

As I said in my original post, I was just guessing without any knowledge of the OP's situation, since he/she hasn't posted anything.  Guess that's the difference between a Geek and an engineer ... we care about what's happening in the real world.

Hi TheGeek,

How have your speeds been since the tech's visit yesterday?