Why Devices May Not Reach Advertised Internet Speeds
Hello, and thank you for reaching out about not being able to reach the speeds associated with your plan. Plan speeds are always listed as "up to" without limitation by National Wi-Fi for devices attached to your home network. However, not all devices and connection types are capable of supporting the full speeds of the service level you have signed up for. Below is a breakdown of the typical speeds we offer and the connection types that support them:
Speeds and Supported Connections
150 Mbps
All National Wi-Fi equipment supports this account-level speed on both wired (if available) and wireless connections using the 5 GHz band with Wi-Fi 4 or greater Wi-Fi technology.
250-350 Mbps
All National Wi-Fi equipment supports this account-level speed on both wired (if available) and wireless connections using the 5 GHz band with Wi-Fi 5 or greater technology.
Wireless connections typically range from 200 Mbps to 300 Mbps. Due to the use of non-licensed frequencies, wireless speeds are not guaranteed.
500 Mbps and Greater
All National Wi-Fi wired equipment supports this account-level speed on wired (if available) connections only.
Wireless connections using the 5 GHz band with Wi-Fi 6 or greater technology typically achieve speeds between 200 Mbps and 300 Mbps. As with other wireless speeds, these are not guaranteed due to non-licensed frequency usage.
Wired Connections
Devices with built-in Ethernet ports can achieve up to 940 Mbps under optimal conditions.
Laptops may require the power adapter to be connected and the "High Performance" power profile enabled for maximum performance.
Devices using an Ethernet dongle may not achieve full speeds due to USB bus limitations.
Wireless Connections
Typical wireless speeds range from 100 Mbps to 350 Mbps, depending on the following factors:
Wi-Fi generation: Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6 devices all provide different maximum speeds.
- Connection Type: Devices connecting to older 2.4GHz networks cannot reach the same maximum speeds as newer 5GHz capable devices.
Connection frequency and distance to the router: The further the device is from the router, the slower the connection.
Number of walls or obstacles: Physical barriers can reduce signal strength and speed.
Environmental noise: Radio frequency (RF) interference from other devices can impact wireless speeds.
If you are experiencing issues with your device speeds, ensure you are using optimal configurations, such as connecting via Ethernet (if available) or ensuring your device is within a reasonable range of the router and on the correct Wi-Fi band (5 GHz for higher speeds). For further assistance, feel free to contact National Wi-Fi support here by opening a ticket