Understanding the Wi-Fi Performance Gap in Australia
Millions of Australians are not receiving the internet speeds they pay for, and a variety of factors contribute to this issue. From outdated hardware to unexpected obstacles like goldfish, the problem is widespread and often overlooked.
NBN Co recently highlighted this concern after its customer research revealed that nine out of ten home Wi-Fi setups had room for improvement. The findings showed that more than half of households only took action when something went wrong. This lack of proactive maintenance has led to a significant gap between expected and actual internet performance.
The warning comes at a time when over 2.7 million households have benefited from NBN Co’s upgrade program, and thousands of homes and businesses that previously used copper connections have transitioned to faster fibre technology.
Three consumer studies conducted by NBN, including its Strategic Residential Survey involving over 12,000 users, found that most home internet setups were not delivering their potential speeds. In fact, 92% of these setups were underperforming. The research also revealed that more than half of the Wi-Fi routers in use were over two years old, and almost two-thirds of them were placed in suboptimal locations within the home.
Common mistakes included placing routers away from areas with the highest internet usage (47%) and failing to keep them free from obstructions (19%). Even seemingly harmless objects can interfere with Wi-Fi signals, according to NBN Co spokesman Doug MacDougall.
“Some of the mistakes we see are putting in near something that stops the signal, things like mirrors, furniture, solid walls,” he told AAP. “Even fish tanks and other stored liquids can absorb a Wi-Fi signal.”
Many broadband users remain unaware that they are experiencing slower download speeds than what they paid for. Mr. MacDougall noted that over half (53%) of users did not take any action until they noticed a slowdown.
Changing the location of a Wi-Fi router can significantly improve its performance without requiring additional spending, he said. This simple adjustment can also maximize the benefits of connection upgrades.
“In April this year, 44,000 people upgraded to full fibre,” he said. “We want those customers to make sure they’re getting the best bang for their buck, and the best performance and value out of their connection.”
Underperforming Wi-Fi networks are responsible for one in every four calls to Rent-A-Grandson, according to founder Alex Stephens. Outdated modems and routers are often the cause of these issues.
“Once it’s all set up right, it’s almost set and forget or set and forget until an issue arises,” he said. “If the fridge is keeping temperature, that’s all you need, whereas with your Wi-Fi, it can still be on and working but not working to its full potential or even close.”
Broadband users should regularly test their Wi-Fi speed, contact their internet provider about hardware upgrades, and consider installing mesh Wi-Fi devices if household furnishings and walls prove to be barriers. These steps can help ensure that users are getting the most out of their internet connection and avoiding unnecessary frustration.
