Are you connecting via wifi to the router, or is it a wired connection? If wired, Cat5e? Cat6? Cat7? 5e can be marginal depending on age, how it was pulled, etc (but in theory can do it).
Cat6 or better is rec'd for gig speeds.
Also, any switches, etc need to be gigabit (1000-base-T), too. And your network adapter on your computer, obviously, needs to 1000-base-T too...
I once had a Cat5e line run between a couple of switches in my home, and when I upgraded (internally to my network) to gigabit, I wasn't getting the speeds. Did a check of the cable, and found that I was only running on two of the four pairs (the others were broken) - fine for 100-base-T (well - I got lucky on the pairs - had it been a different combo - it would have been completely dead), no good for 1000-base-T.
Bought new cable and ran a new line (in my attic - hot and dusty work - ugh - too old for that kind of thing) - all was good afterwards. Just an anecdotal story.
Best way to check your speeds is to plug directly into the router that is plugged into the modem, using a known good cable, and knowing what your network adapter on your computer and everything else is - if you have all known-good settings and equipment, and everything is rated/spec'd for the speeds - but you're still having problems - then you can look elsewhere for the issue. But first, you have to isolate the problem.
wow, cool story about 2 vs 4 pairs. I tested it directly to the router using the cable that came from the giga modem, but the computer was 7 years old so maybe the internet eth adapter was not kosher. I will keep fighting. Thank you for the tips, it is helpful.
