Internet Speed

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Updating my router will probably help.

This single image explains a lot about Wifi degradation and it doesn't even include interference from outside the home!

trb46 wrote:
My existing router is about three years old. Thanks.

Most likely, yes. Claimed wireless router speeds tend to be highly exaggerated, and dependent on many factors. Possibly, a more updated router may give better continuous speeds, though still won't be anywhere near your cable Ethernet speeds.

probably need a newer router.

Find a tech support for Belkin and call them......before you shell out $$$ on a wild guess.

Only 18mbps per device? I feel your pain.

Total bandwidth at my S&B is 5.

FWIW, I have a TP-Link AC1900 router for about 10 months now and have been very happy with it. It has dual bands, 2.4 and 5 GHz. I have one older device that only works on the 2.4 GHz band. My internet speed is supposed to be 75 Mbps, but it was 89 Mbps when I just checked it on my iPad. My hardwired iMac tested out at 70 Mbps. Amazon currently has it for $99.97 with a $10 off coupon.

I work for a small internet provider, and wireless speed is the biggest complaint. There are lots of variables. A new A-C router should help, if you devices you connect can support it.

The speed also depends on the distance from the router and what is between you and the router. Every wall the signal has to go through slows things down. Especially is you have old plaster walls.

Also other wireless signals can affect it. If you live in the middle of 5 acres, probably not an issue. If like me you live on a quarter acre lot with houses all around you, and you see 10-15 neighbors wifi networks, you can get interference from them. You can play with different channel selection within the router and may get better results. Also some of the routers will do this automatically to get the best signal.

Good luck!

Not knowing which model Belkin you have makes it hard to say but if it is three years old it is probably not the newest 802.11ac standard. You may need to upgrade your wireless devices to the new standard to get the best performance. Older wireless devices on older standards will drag a network down quickly.

This could be way off - but if you had any older 802.11b clients, they used to have a problem where they could drag the whole network down. 18Mbps is still faster than 'b', but that's the only thing going thru my mind.

How many wireless devices in your house?
Is it a decent Belkin router or was it a cheapie?

It certainly seems to me that the router has to be the culprit...