What affects my internet speed?
What affects my internet speed with Airwire Broadband?
While Airwire Broadband is committed to delivering fast and reliable internet, there are several factors—both within and outside your home—that can influence the actual speed you experience. Understanding these factors can help you optimise your setup for the best possible performance.
1. Type of Connection
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Fibre Broadband offers the fastest and most stable speeds, often up to 1 Gbps. It uses dedicated fibre-optic lines directly to your home.
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Fixed Wireless Broadband depends on a wireless signal from a nearby Airwire tower. While still fast and reliable, its performance can be slightly more affected by external factors such as weather or signal obstructions.
2. Wi-Fi vs Wired Connection
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A wired Ethernet connection to your router will almost always deliver faster and more stable speeds than Wi-Fi.
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Wi-Fi performance can be influenced by:
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Distance from the router
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Walls and obstacles
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Interference from other electronic devices (microwaves, cordless phones, etc.)
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Congestion from multiple connected devices
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Tip: For critical tasks like gaming or video calls, use a wired connection if possible.
3. Number of Devices Connected
More devices mean more demand on your bandwidth. If multiple people are streaming, downloading, or gaming at the same time, each device may experience slower speeds.
Tip: Use your router’s Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritise essential devices or activities.
4. Time of Day / Network Congestion
At peak usage times (usually evenings), speeds may dip slightly due to overall demand on the local network, especially in wireless service areas. Airwire actively monitors and upgrades infrastructure to reduce these effects.
5. Signal Quality (Fixed Wireless Only)
For wireless broadband customers, factors like:
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Distance from the Airwire tower
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Trees, buildings, or terrain blocking the signal
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Severe weather (very heavy rain or storms)
can impact the strength and stability of your connection.
Our technicians aim to install your antenna in the best possible position for a strong, stable signal.
6. Your Equipment
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Older routers or devices may not support higher speeds.
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Routers with outdated firmware can underperform.
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Low-spec smartphones, tablets, or PCs may limit your ability to reach maximum speeds.
Tip: Ensure your router is up to date, and use modern devices to get the most out of your connection.
7. Background Usage & Apps
Apps running in the background (cloud backups, software updates, streaming apps, etc.) can quietly use bandwidth and slow your internet without you noticing.
Tip: Check for background tasks or limit bandwidth-hungry apps during high-demand periods.
In Summary:
Your internet speed can be affected by:
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Your type of connection (fibre or wireless)
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Wi-Fi quality vs. wired access
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Number of connected devices
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Signal strength (for wireless)
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Time of day
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Your router and devices
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Background apps and downloads
If you're experiencing slower-than-expected speeds, Airwire’s support team is happy to help diagnose and improve your connection.

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