Range Extender WiFi speed is 1/10th the speed of its Ethernet Port speed
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Hi
I have positioned my RE550 WiFi extender at the "Perfect Signal" location as noted in the Location Assistant within the Tether app.
When I connect my computer directly to the RE550 Ethernet port, I get speeds of around 500Mbps which is absolutely fantastic, as this is my max broadband connection and therefore the maximum speed that I could hope to achieve.
However, if I disconnect the ethernet connection, and connect from the same RE550 (which is still in the same location) over its 5G WiFi connection to the same computer, I get transfers speeds of about 1/10th that of the ethernet connection. That is, about 50Mbps. The distance between the WiFi extender and the computer is less than a meter, and there is nothing inbetween.
I have moved the WiFi extender to a location right beside my router, and I experience the same discrepency.
Any suggestions what would cause the 90% drop in speed between the Ethernet port and the 5G WiFi?
Thanks
The type of wireless connection is half-duplex, which means that the specified bandwidth (1300mbps for RE550 on 5Ghz) is halved on every next hop when devices are connected wirelessly.
On the second hop this bandwidth is halved again which means 1/4 of the initial bandwidth.
For example on 5GHz your RE550 is 1300mbps capable => 650mbps from your router to the RE550 => 325 mbps from RE550 to your laptop (at best case scenario).
This calculation is valid when you use only the 5GHz band for connecting your RE550 to your router and to your laptop.
That's why the ethernet cable connection is alway preferable when it's possible to use it.
The other thing you can do is to try manual "High Speed" settings and check if there's any difference:
Have you measured the bandwidth connecting your laptop directly to your router (bypassing your RE550) ? Is it near the advertised bandwidth by your ISP ?
