TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Troubleshooting: Slow Speeds on a Wireless Home Network
► Summary:
This article provides information on how to troubleshoot slow speeds on a wireless home network.
► Symptoms
Customer is able to get on line, but has slow download speeds. Web pages open slowly, and the
customer has a slow transfer rate when downloading a file.
► Cause
The wireless home router may not be optimized or secured, decreasing the throughput and slowing
Internet speeds.
► Solution
The most important aspect when utilizing a wireless home router is the type or "mode" of wireless
networking chosen. The three most common types are:
·
802.11b B is the most common implementation of wireless, but it only offers a maximum of
11 Mbps throughput and in the 5 Mbps range. 802.11b operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range,
which makes it susceptible to interference from in home cordless phones and microwave ovens.
·
802.11g G is the big brother of B, offering up to 54 Mbps throughput and is the emerging
standard. It also suffers from the same interference issues as 802.11b. Although the 802.11b
devices can be used on a "G" network, the entire network slows down to "B" speeds in this
scenario.
Suddenlink recommends using "G" with a built-in modem, which eliminates the need to set up
connections with cluttered wires.
·
802.11a A operates in the 5.6 GHz range and offers up to 54 Mbps throughput. It's the least
portable of the options, since most free wireless access points only offer "B" or "G"
connections.
For the best speed on desktops, use an internal wireless card or even a "Bridge" that make a wireless
connection between the PC and router, but connects to the computer via Ethernet. On laptops without
wireless built-in, PCMCIA cards offer the fastest throughput.
Security vulnerabilities can easily affect speed and allow possible abuses like spam, fraud, and illegal
activity. If WEP or WPA security is not enabled on a wireless network, an interloper could exploit the
connection and slow the speed as much as 80%. Using the same brand of wireless card or device for the
PC and router often offers easy security options.
