Understanding Internet Speeds: What Your Devices Need to Keep Up

Not all devices are built to handle high-speed internet. Here’s what to look for:

• Wired devices: Check the Ethernet port specifications, as they determine the maximum network speed your computer or other equipment can support.

  Ethernet type	Max speed	Common use case
  10BASE-T	10 Mbps	Legacy networks, early Ethernet deployments
  100BASE-T (Fast)	100 Mbps	Basic home networking, older devices
  1000BASE-T (Gigabit)	1 Gbps	Standard for modern PCs, routers, and switches
  2.5GBASE-T	2.5 Gbps	High-performance home/business use
  5GBASE-T	5 Gbps	Advanced workstations and servers
  10GBASE-T	10 Gbps	Data centers, NAS, enterprise setups

• Wireless devices: Check which Wi-Fi standard your device supports. Newer standards offer significantly faster speeds, greater range, and enhanced performance.

  Wi-Fi standard	Frequency bands	Max speed (Theoretical)	Real-world speed
  Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)	2.4 GHz / 5 GHz	Up to 600 Mbps	100 – 300 Mbps
  Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)	5 GHz	Up to 3.5 Gbps (Wave 2)	400 – 800 Mbps
  Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	2.4 / 5 GHz	Up to 9.6 Gbps	700 – 1000 Mbps
  Wi-Fi 6E	6 GHz	Up to 9.6 Gbps	1 Gbps+

• Examples of Speed-Capable devices:
   

  Device type	Speed support	Notes
  Modern laptops	Up to 1Gbps	Via Ethernet or Wi-Fi 6
  Smartphones (Wi-Fi 6+)	600Mbps – 1Gbps	Depends on router and signal strength
  Smart TVs	100Mbps – 1Gbps	Varies by model and connection type

• Wired connections are more stable and consistently faster. Ideal for gaming, streaming, and work-from-home setups.
• Wireless connections offer convenience but can be affected by distance, interference, and router quality.

Tip: For reliable speeds in wired setups, use Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables – they’re designed to handle up to 1 Gbps and beyond with minimal signal loss.

Your Northwestel Wi-Fi or any third-party router you use is the key to your internet speed. Even if your subscription offers up to 1Gbps service, outdated equipment can create bottlenecks that limit your actual performance.

Northwestel Wi-Fi equipment for cable internet:

• The Hitron CODA-5712 supports Wi-Fi 6, delivering faster speeds and better efficiency.
• The Hitron ARIA3411 mesh extender supports Wi-Fi 6E, offering access to the 6GHz band for reduced interference and enhanced performance.

Northwestel Wi-Fi equipment for fibre internet:

• The Adtran SDG-8612 is a robust Wi-Fi 6 gateway designed to deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity.

Third-party routers:

• Ensure your router supports Gigabit WAN/LAN ports to handle high-speed plans
• Look for Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E for optimal wireless performance
• Consider mesh systems for large homes to eliminate dead zones and maintain consistent coverage

As more devices connect to your network, smartphones, laptops, TVs, cameras, thermostats, and more, your available bandwidth is divided among them. In smart homes with dozens of gadgets, even high-speed plans can feel slow without the right equipment.

• The Hitron CODA-5712, Hitron ARIA3411, and Adtran SDG-8612 support OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) and MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input Multiple Output). These technologies allow your gateway to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously and efficiently, reducing congestion and improving performance in busy networks.
   
• When choosing a third-party router, look for support for OFDMA and MU-MIMO, which help manage multiple devices efficiently – especially in busy households. Routers with Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E typically include these features. You can also enable QoS (Quality of Service) settings to prioritize bandwidth for important devices like gaming consoles or work laptops. Finally, opt for a dual-band or tri-band router to spread devices across different frequency bands, reducing interference and boosting overall speed.

Your internet plan may have high speeds – but what you experience can vary. Several key factors influence real-world performance, including:

• Network congestion: Shared bandwidth during peak usage times can slow things down
• Device limitations: Older hardware may not support your plan’s full speed
• Northwestel Wi-Fi or Router placement: Poor positioning can weaken signal strength and coverage
• Background apps and updates: Hidden activity can quietly consume bandwidth

Refer to this article: https://www.nwtel.ca/support/internet/wi-fi-internet-connections/how-check-speed-your-internet-connection How to check the speed of your internet connection to learn how to measure real-time performance on each of your devices.

To fully enjoy the benefits of high-speed internet, your devices need to be capable of keeping up. Upgrading to modern hardware, optimizing your network setup, and understanding how each device interacts with your connection can significantly improve performance. Here’s how to check whether your devices are ready to support fast, reliable internet speeds:

On Windows

1. Open Command Prompt: Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
2. Run this command: netsh wlan show drivers
3. Look for these lines:
   • Radio types supported: This tells you the Wi-Fi standards your card supports (e.g., 802.11ac = Wi-Fi 5, 802.11ax = Wi-Fi 6).
   • Driver version: Useful for checking if updates are available.

On macOS

1. Click the Apple menu → About This Mac → System Report.
2. Go to Network → Wi-Fi.
3. Look for:
   • Supported PHY Modes: Lists Wi-Fi standards (e.g., 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax).
   • Interface name: Shows the wireless card model.

On smartphones

iPhone:

• iPhone 11 and newer support Wi-Fi 6.
• Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Tap your network → Scroll to Wi-Fi standard (on newer iOS versions).

Android:

• Go to Settings → About Phone → Hardware Info or Wi-Fi Info.
• Or install apps like WiFi Analyzer or NetSpot to see Wi-Fi capabilities.

Other devices

• Smart TVs, game consoles, tablets: Check the manufacturer’s website or user manual for Wi-Fi specs.
• Routers: Log into the router’s admin page to see connected devices and their Wi-Fi types.