How Wi-Fi Works and Why It Might Be Slowing You Down

Wi-Fi is a fantastic convenience that lets us connect to the internet wirelessly. However, it's not a perfect technology. Understanding how it works, its limitations, and the different versions available is key to getting the most out of your home internet connection.

What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is a technology that uses radio waves to send data between devices, like your phone or laptop, and your router. The router is the device that connects to your NBN internet service. Think of your router as a local radio station that broadcasts a signal, and your devices are like radios that tune into that signal to get data. This wireless connection allows you to move freely around your home while staying online.

Understanding the Different Wi-Fi Versions

Just like with mobile phones, Wi-Fi has evolved over time. Newer versions are faster, more efficient, and better at handling multiple devices. They are identified by numbers, which makes them easy to understand.

• Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n): This older standard is found on many older devices and routers. It introduced the use of both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. It was a significant improvement, offering faster speeds and better range than its predecessors.

  
  

• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): A big leap forward, Wi-Fi 5 primarily operates on the 5 GHz band. This allows for much faster theoretical speeds and is great for high-bandwidth activities like streaming 4K video and online gaming.

  
  

• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): This is the current standard found in most new devices and routers. Wi-Fi 6 isn't just about faster speeds (though it is faster); it's about efficiency. It's designed to perform better in crowded environments with many connected devices, like a smart home.

  
  

• Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax): This is an extension of Wi-Fi 6 that unlocks a third radio frequency band: the 6 GHz band. This new band is much wider and less congested than the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, offering even faster speeds and lower latency for compatible devices. Think of it as a brand-new, empty highway for your data.

  
  

• Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be): The newest and most powerful Wi-Fi standard, Wi-Fi 7 is designed to make multi-gigabit speeds a reality in your home. While it builds on the same three bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), it introduces new features that dramatically improve performance:

  
  

  • Wider Channels: Wi-Fi 7 doubles the maximum channel width to 320 MHz on the 6 GHz band, allowing for double the data transmission.

    
    

  • Multi-Link Operation (MLO): This groundbreaking feature allows devices to connect to a router using multiple bands simultaneously, like combining the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands. This provides higher speeds, lower latency, and a more reliable connection by switching seamlessly between bands to avoid interference.

    
    

  • Improved Efficiency: Wi-Fi 7 is built to handle a massive number of devices with even greater efficiency, making it perfect for modern smart homes with dozens of connected gadgets.

    
    

Wi-Fi Limitations and What Can Affect It

While Wi-Fi is great, several factors can prevent you from getting the full speed of your internet plan:

• Distance: The further you are from your router, the weaker the signal becomes.

• Obstacles: Radio waves don't travel well through solid objects. Walls, floors, and even household appliances can block or weaken the signal.

• Interference: Other electronic devices can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. Things like microwaves and your neighbours' Wi-Fi networks can cause a slowdown.

• Congestion: If too many devices are connected to your Wi-Fi at once, it can slow down the overall speed for everyone.

The Impact of Wi-Fi on Your Internet Speed

The biggest impact of using Wi-Fi is that it can act as a bottleneck, preventing you from experiencing the full potential of your NBN connection. For example, if you have a high-speed NBN plan that offers speeds of up to 100 Mbps, but your Wi-Fi is only performing at 30 Mbps, you are only getting about a third of the speed you are paying for.

In short, your internet connection speed and your Wi-Fi speed are not the same thing. Your NBN connection provides the raw speed to your home, while your Wi-Fi determines how effectively that speed is delivered wirelessly to your devices.

Ways to Improve Your Wi-Fi

You can do several things to improve your Wi-Fi and get closer to your NBN plan's potential speeds:

• Placement is Key: Place your router in a central, open location in your home. Keep it off the floor and away from other electronics and walls.

• Upgrade Your Router: If you have an older router, consider upgrading to a newer one, like a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 model. This will give you access to faster speeds and better efficiency.

• Use a Mesh Wi-Fi System or Extender: If your home is large, a single router may not be enough. A mesh Wi-Fi system uses multiple access points to create a seamless network that covers your entire home.

• Use a Cable (Ethernet): The most effective way to ensure you're getting your full internet speed is to connect your device directly to the router with an Ethernet cable. This bypasses all the limitations of Wi-Fi and provides the fastest, most stable connection possible.