Many subscribers of a major provider often wonder how efficient their home wireless network is. When the contract specifies 100 or even 500 Mbps, but video on their smartphone is lagging, it's understandable that confusion arises. Normal speed — is a broad concept, depending on many technical factors, and not just on the terms of the tariff plan.
In reality, the indicators are through Wi-Fi will always be lower than with a direct cable connection to the computer. This is a fundamental law of radio wave physics and the specifics of data transmission protocols, which every user faces without exception. In this article, we'll discuss what values are considered standard for different conditions and why your router may be cutting your channel.
It's worth noting that the provider guarantees the stated parameters only at the entrance to the apartment, that is, before your router. After that, the user's area of responsibility begins, where walls, neighboring networks, and the capabilities of client devices come into play. Understanding these nuances will help you objectively assess connection quality.
Speed depends on tariff plan and technology
The first thing you need to pay attention to is the technological basis by which the provider delivers the signal to your home. Depending on the connection type (GPON, EPON or old ADSL), the physical limit of a channel can vary significantly. For modern fiber optic lines, a symmetrical channel or a channel with a high input speed is the norm.
If you have a basic plan with a speed of up to 100 Mbps, you'll likely get around 60-80 Mbps over the air on good devices. This is completely normal and not a malfunction. Bandwidth Wireless interface always has overhead for service data and encryption.
⚠️ Please note: If you are still using ADSL technology (via a telephone line), then speeds above 24 Mbps are physically impossible, regardless of the cost of your plan and the power of your router.
The situation changes dramatically when switching to gigabit plans. This is where the router's WAN port limitation comes into play. If the device has standard ports Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps), then no amount of settings will allow you to "overclock" the channel beyond this limit. For plans of 200 Mbps and above, the availability of ports is critical. Gigabit Ethernet.
Frequency Band Impact: 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz
The most significant factor determining the actual speed of a wireless network is the frequency range. Most modern routers, including models Sagemcom or Sercomm, operate in two bands. The old and overcrowded 2.4 GHz band is physically incapable of transmitting more than 50-60 Mbps in the real-world conditions of an apartment building.
The 5 GHz band offers significantly higher throughput and less interference. This frequency is where plans over 100 Mbps can unlock their full potential. However, it has a significant drawback: the signal penetrates less effectively through solid walls and fades more quickly over distance.
For stable operation in the 5 GHz band, the receiving device (laptop, smartphone, TV set-top box) must also support this standard. If the device is more than 7-8 years old, it may be configured only for 2.4 GHz, which automatically limits its capabilities.
- 📡 2.4 GHz: Long-range, but slow and noisy due to neighbors.
- 🚀 5 GHz: High speed but shorter range.
- 🔄 Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): A new standard that allows multiple devices to work efficiently simultaneously.
Why does the speed drop in distant rooms?
A Wi-Fi signal is a radio wave. It loses energy as it passes through concrete walls with rebar, water pipes, and mirrors. At 5 GHz, the signal attenuates faster than at 2.4 GHz, so the speed in the next room can be half that of the one where the router is located.
Actual figures for different tariffs
To help you determine what speed test result is "good" for your specific situation, we've compiled a summary table. It shows the approximate correspondence between the provider's advertised speed and actual Wi-Fi performance at a distance of 3-5 meters from the router.
| Tariff (in the contract) | Expected speed (2.4 GHz) | Expected speed (5 GHz) | Required router standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Mbps | 40-60 Mbps | 70-90 Mbps | Wi-Fi 4 (N) / Wi-Fi 5 (AC) |
| 200-300 Mbps | 40-60 Mbps (limited) | 150-250 Mbps | Wi-Fi 5 (AC) / Gigabit port |
| 400-500 Mbps | 40-60 Mbps (limited) | 300-450 Mbps | Wi-Fi 5 (AC) / Gigabit port |
| 800-1000 Mbps | 40-60 Mbps (limited) | 600-800 Mbps | Wi-Fi 6 (AX) / Gigabit port |
As the table shows, for plans above 100 Mbps, using the 2.4 GHz band becomes pointless from a performance standpoint. You simply won't be able to use the bandwidth you've paid for. In this case, equipment upgrade becomes a necessity.
It's also worth keeping in mind that the final speed at any given time depends on the bandwidth usage of other devices. If one family member is downloading a heavy game via torrent while the other is watching a 4K video, the remaining speed on your smartphone will be split proportionally.
Diagnostics and measurement of indicators
To objectively assess connection quality, simply opening a website isn't enough. You need to use proven tools and the right measurement methodology. The most accurate results are provided by this service. Speedtest by Ookla or the provider's own service Speedtest.rt.ru.
It's important to test using a device connected via Wi-Fi, located in the room where the problem is occurring. It's best to disconnect other devices in the house from the network or make sure they're not actively loading to avoid any interference with the results.
☑️ Speed test
If your speed readings are consistently below 70% of your plan's advertised speed (especially in the 5 GHz band), it's worth checking your router settings. Manually selecting a broadcast channel to avoid interference with neighboring networks can sometimes help. This can be done through the web interface by going to 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
Equipment problems and obsolescence of standards
Often the bottleneck is the router itself, whether it was provided by the provider several years ago or purchased by the user themselves. Older models that operate on the standard 802.11n, are physically limited to a speed of about 150 Mbps under ideal conditions, but in reality they provide even less.
Furthermore, the router's processor may not be able to handle traffic encryption at high speeds. If you're paying for a gigabit connection, and the router overheats and drops the connection, it means its processing power isn't sufficient to handle such a large data stream wirelessly.
Rostelecom's equipment lineup includes a variety of models, from simple single-band devices to powerful dual-band stations. If your router is more than 5 years old, consider replacing it with a modern model that supports MU-MIMO And Beamforming can provide a 2-3 times speed increase without changing your tariff.
⚠️ Please note: Equipment specifications and available tariff plans are subject to change. For up-to-date information on specific router models and tariff terms, always check your subscriber account or the provider's official website.
Ways to optimize your home Wi-Fi
If replacing your router or plan isn't an option right now, you can try to get the most out of your current configuration. The first step should always be proper router installation. Don't hide it in a recess, behind a TV, or in a closed (low-current) panel if it's made of metal—this will shield the signal.
The second important aspect is firmware updates. Manufacturers regularly release updates that improve the stability of the antenna module and fix protocol errors. You can check for a new version in the section Administration or System Tools router interface.
- 📍 Location: Place the router in the center of the apartment and at a height of 1.5-2 meters.
- 🔌 Cable: Use Cat5e or Cat6 patch cords to connect the router to the ISP's outlet.
- 🔄 Reboot: Power off your router once a week for 10 seconds to clear the RAM.
Frequently asked questions from subscribers
Why is the cable speed 100 Mbps, but Wi-Fi only 40?
This is a normal situation for the 2.4 GHz band in an apartment building. The Wi-Fi protocol spends a significant portion of its resources on error checking, retransmitting lost packets, and waiting for the channel to become available, as it broadcasts to neighboring devices. The actual payload is approximately 50-60% of the theoretical maximum.
Do I need to change my router if I'm paying for 500 Mbps?
Required. If your current router doesn't have Gigabit Ethernet ports and doesn't support the 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standard, it will physically throttle your speed to 100 Mbps. You're overpaying for unused resources.
Does the number of connected devices affect the speed?
Yes, it does. The bandwidth is shared among all active users. Furthermore, a large number of cheap IoT devices (light bulbs, sockets) can create a parasitic load on the router's processor, reducing overall network performance.
Can weather affect internet speed?
The fiber optic (GPON) line that comes into the home is not affected by weather. However, heavy rain, thunderstorms, or magnetic storms can affect the operation of equipment at the provider's communication nodes or the radio channel if FTTB (twisted pair to the home) technology or wireless bridges are used.