There are plenty of reasons why your internet could be slow. There could be high internet traffic in your area, you could have devices soaking up your bandwidth, or you could have a plan too slow for your needs. On top of this, your modem or router might be faulty or there could be problems with your internet provider in your area. Whatever is the issue, we’re here to help with some easy advice.
With more Australians than ever before now working from home, streaming, video calling and gaming, there’s a lot to be said for having a fast internet speed. But as usage increases, Australia’s internet is bound to become strained, meaning speeds could be slower than usual. There’s a lot of factors at play causing this speed distortion, but we’re here to guide you through why your internet might be under-performing.
In short: Why is my internet so slow?
There are several reasons why your internet could be slow. Here are five factors to consider:
- Your fixed line connection could be damaged
- There are too many devices connected to your home WiFi
- Your modem might be slow
- There could be network congestion in the area
- Your internet plan might be too slow for your needs
It might be worth doing an internet speed test, just to check if you’re getting the speed you’re paying for. In this article, we’ve got some tips you might want to consider.
Is my internet damaged?
If your line is damaged, you might be able to organise for a technician to visit your property through your Internet Service Provider and fix the issue. Damaged lines are typically characterised by constant drop outs, or inconsistent quality of connection.
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is how internet usage is measured through how much data is transferred, transmitted or received at any given time. In the case of the NBN, this can be applied to both households and NBN junctions, through Fibre to the Node and Fibre to the Curb connections. Bandwidth tension might be caused when too much network traffic is applied to these connections, causing slower internet speeds for all devices connected.
Devices also have bandwidth limits – for example, a modem might have a maximum bandwidth of 600Mbps – which means that any excess data downloads surpassing this limit would cause bandwidth lag. Your WiFi could also be having signal problems – there might be traffic issues because of too many connected devices around, or you could simply have poor coverage in your home.
But in most cases, this shouldn’t be the issue. Because NBN tiers are limited to the overall speed of the connection (for example, the max download speed on Standard Plus NBN 50 is 50Mbps), you’ll find your speed is actually tied to NBN plan you’re signed up for.
Bandwidth lag in the neighbourhood
If you’re connected to the NBN through Fibre to the Curb (FTTC), Fibre to the Node (FTTN), Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) or by Fibre to the Building (FTTB) you’ll also be experiencing lag depending on the other people in your area that are using that same connection type. Because you’re all sharing the same fibre optic line to deliver the NBN, you’re all essentially fighting over that high speed that the NBN provides.
As an added layer of complexity, the further away from the shared junction box that you are, the slower your connection will be. That’s because the copper wiring or HFC cabling used to complete the journey between the box and your property cuts down on broadband quality the further it travels.
If you’re on a Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection, you shouldn’t be experiencing any lag because of other households. See below to see how your connection might be laggy within the home.
This type of internet lag isn’t particularly an easy fix, and it could be quite pricey. One thing being offered to fix this is the NBN Technology Choice Program, which allows for customers to pay for their connection to be changed to FTTP, but be warned – it doesn’t come cheap.
Bandwidth lag in the home
If there’s too much bandwidth lag going on in your home, it might be worth considering getting either a faster NBN plan, or considering alternatives to the NBN itself. If you’re working from home, and you’ve got family members playing video games, video calling or watching Netflix, there’s a strong chance you’ll notice the lag on lower-end NBN plans.
You may have noticed slower speeds thanks to the influx of people working and studying from home. Social media websites have announced initiatives to combat demand by lowering the quality of some of their services, which definitely improves the speeds.
You could try changing your bandwidth channel, in case other networks in the neighbourhood are overlapping with yours and causing slower speeds – this is done through your modem’s settings, which you should be able to access through your modem’s portal. If in doubt, give your ISP a ring.
Is my internet plan too slow?
When internet usage is through the roof, you might be dissatisfied with the speeds provided by your current internet plan. NBN plans are divided up by the speeds they provide, with Standard Plus NBN 50 plans and Premium NBN 100 plans ideal for high-definition streaming, online gaming and lots of video-calling. But in contrast, Basic NBN 12 and Standard NBN 25 are more intended for common use, like basic browsing, social media use and instant messaging.
Unlimited Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Unlimited Standard Evening Speed (NBN 25) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Standard Evening Speed (NBN 25) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Unlimited Basic Evening Speed (NBN 12) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Basic Evening Speed (NBN 12) plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
NBN alternatives
If you’re already on a fast NBN plan but still underwhelmed by speeds, you may need to switch up the type of internet you’re using. It might be worth considering mobile broadband or even home wireless broadband alternatives, just so you can get work done. You could even try using your phone’s data through a mobile hotspot. If you’re interested in mobile broadband, a selection of plans are available in the table below.
Mobile Broadband Plans Compared: 100GB+The following table shows a selection of published 100GB and over mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Mobile Broadband Plans Compared: Over 50GBThe following table shows a selection of published mobile broadband plans with 50GB – 100GB of data on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Mobile Broadband Plans Compared: Under 50GBThe following table shows a selection of published mobile broadband plans with less than 50GB of data on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
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Home wireless broadband might be more your thing if you’re heavier on your downloads. Plans typically include more data than mobile broadband, and are designed to be a replacement to fixed-line internet.
Southern Phone Wireless Broadband PlansThe following table shows a selection of published Southern Phone wireless broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Tangerine Wireless Broadband PlansThe following table shows a selection of published Tangerine wireless broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Optus 4G Home Internet PlansOptus provides a choice of two 4G home internet plans, both on two-year contracts or month-to-month. $65 buys you 200GB of data, while the $75 plan features 500GB each month. Two-year plans include a modem at no upfront cost, but if you decide to go contract free, you’ll need to pay $216 upfront. If you use more than your included data during your billing month, you’ll automatically receive another 40GB for $10 up to 5 times, after which your speed will be slowed to 1.5Mps. Coverage and serviceability will vary depending on device, location and other factors. The following table shows a selection of Optus 4G Home Internet plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Yomojo Wireless Broadband PlansThe following table shows a selection of published Yomojo wireless broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
Spintel Wireless Broadband PlansThe following table shows a selection of published Spintel wireless broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
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How can I make my internet faster?
There’s several things you can do to make your internet faster. Some options include:
- Disconnecting unnecessary devices from your home internet
- Investigating if your line has any damage
- Upgrading your internet plan, or upgrading your line through the NBN’s Technology Choice Program
- Throttling your download speeds in some applications through app and device settings
- Upgrading to a more suitable modem
Turning off unnecessary devices
One great thing you can do right off the bat is disconnect any unnecessary devices from your internet and WiFi. This could include phones, gaming consoles or computers not being used. These things could be doing background downloads that could be severely affecting your internet quality. Make sure you also turn off any apps you’re not using on your computer or phone.
Upgrading your internet plan
You could upgrade your internet plan through your Internet Service Provider, or alternatively you could look around for alternatives that might be cheaper or offer more bundled-in perks. You’ll most likely want to look at plans on the NBN 50 speed tier or faster, which begin at around $60 per month depending on your provider.
Upgrading your internet line
Upgrading your internet line could be more costly, but if you band together with your neighbours you could make the Technology Choice Program an agreeable price. Essentially, the NBN Technology Choice Program removes your current internet connection through copper or HFC lining, and replaces it with a direct fibre optic cable right to your door, giving you a much faster internet experience.
Upgrading your modem
The age and quality of your modem or router can impact your speeds. You may want to consider upgrading to a newer model, or even repositioning your modem away from physical barriers and other devices that may interfere with your WiFi signal (for example, microwaves or baby monitors). You may also notice a significant speed difference when your device is directly connected to your modem via an Ethernet cable, so this may be an option if you need a quick performance boost.
Image: Carballo / Shutterstock
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