This topic

I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

shoep11 — Sat, 19 Mar 2022 16:36:28 GMT

I upgraded from 500 to 900.

The speed to hub reaches the speed of 900, but the speed to device is still low under 500, which is the same as when I was in 500MB.

now the result that I have had a speed test is below

Speed to Hub

928MB Download 51MB upload

Speed to Device

364MB Download 49MB upload.

The BT call center staff said that they do not gurantee the speed to device, also the amount of the speed is enough for me with her own judge, though I expressed what I felt uncomfortable with the speed.

I understand the lost to some extent, but over 50% of what they should be has been lost.

What's more, I am uncomfortable with the web-based work (I have a Zoom meeting with 10~15 people every day)

I requested the engineer visit but he did nothing that he can with it. He supposes that the hub need to be changed.

I am not sure what he deals with it. because the hub is quite new one as my apartment is a new built building.

I believe @JohnC2 can handle it and solve the problem. I have read his posting and found him the terminator of any problems regarding Internet connection.

I hope John read my posting and hopely, there might be someone who can solve this issue.

thank you very much

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

imjolly — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 13:08:07 GMT

when was upgrade effective from? it often takes a few days for speed especially upspeed to catch up as can be seen from other posts

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

shoep11 — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 14:13:27 GMT

Thank you @imjolly for your kind response

I upgraded last Monday 14th March

The speed was effective from on 16th March at 0:00 am

The engineer visited on 19th March and did nothing without saying that all the signals work as they should be.

I am waiting for a new hub to be delivered next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

gosforth — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 20:28:25 GMT

BT will guarantee only speed between Exchange and ONT / BT SmartHub(2) and never any speed behind this point…

It’s virtually unmanageable for them to go further then SH(2), whilst they do not have control over your own setup wiring, etc etc.

Also, maximum possible speed will lean on wired connection, and never on WiFi. E.G., if you connect your pc/laptop with gigabit Ethernet port, over CAT 5E or CAT6 cable to BT SH2, it will be possible to see speeds 900+ Mbps.

For example, at that point, I can see 1,2 Gbps on fast.com test…

At moment, you trying to use WiFi, you had a lot of problems and things to consider. Even BT SH2 is MU-MIMO, and in theory AC1733 on 5 GHz, this will never be possible speed, due lots of external factors.

BT SH2 unfortunately typically using only 3 channels on 2.4 GHz, and same, only 3 channels on 5 GHz band. That said, if many people around will be using BT Broadband you will end up with very very congested area, and real speeds will dropping down.

Also, WiFi overhead (e.g. loss of speed) alongside with IPv4 o IPv6 (when IPv6 has much bigger overhead) needs to be taken into account.

On my BT SH2 I am able to have maximum 350-400 Mbps download and 117 Mbps upload speed, whilst at very congested (many others BT access points), or up to 470 Mbps download and 117 Mbps upload, when now at new apartment, when building is still not such penetrated with WiFi access points.

And it’s somewhere maximum, what I shall realistically expect, despite my connection is FullFibre 900.

Moments, when several devices start to be demanding to SH2, speed radically dropping down..

For this reason, I have WiFi turned off on SH2, and using aftermarket TP-Link TRI BAND WiFi AP. That TRI BAND is very important…

Not only I can escape typical congested WiFi channels at 5 GHz WiFi, due I have available much more channels to choose, but third, still 5 GHz AP, with channels 100-124 giving me freedom to escape my neighbours totally.

Channels 52+ I can easily see 450-500 Mbps download

Channels 100+ maxing at around 620 Mbps on IPv4, and 570 Mbps on IPv6 band.

Yes, still short of 900 Mbps FF is capable, but it’s somehow normal, same as yours

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

shoep11 — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:48:34 GMT

thank you for your reply

I am using hardwire CAT 5E(hub to the port on the wall) and 7E(computer to the port on the wall)

The speed is recorded just 4 Mbps download,,,

How can it be possible?

Please help me,,,

I have tried to change my hub into the new BT hub that BT had sent.

but it is the same as the previous.

today the engineer was supposed to visit my house, but incredibly he hasn't come.

and then I called BT but they said that they are sorry and arrange a new appointment again.

the visiting delays of BT is really common? I can not understand this situation, totally,,,,,,.

Is the only one that I can do to buy a router or something like that by myself,,, ?

I am very disappointed and tired about it,,,

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

pippincp — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 20:10:59 GMT

Try connecting the hub directly to the ONT, not via the wall socket. The issue could be the ethernet network installed by the developer. BT would not be able to help with that.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

shoep11 — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 00:55:59 GMT

Thank you for your kind response.

I tried to connect directly my computer to OpenReach.
The speed is around 50mbs, lower than the connection: Openreach-SB2 hub-computer(500Mbs).

I suppose the capacity of hub is not enough to support 900Mbps

I am very disappointed with the premium service.
I would appreciate if anyone could hopefully help me 😭😭please.

Also, I have no idea about the white one next to Openreach. It seems to be a modem. What is it for,,,? Could I solve the issue using the modem?

The engineer had tried to connect the modem but failed.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

shoep11 — Sat, 26 Mar 2022 12:11:36 GMT

Good after noon

today the engineer visited my house and check the ethernet signal.

On his laptop computer, around 900Mbps was shown up.

but still the speed on my laptop computer with ethernet is recorded around 500 Mbps.

So, I suppose that I need to change the setting on my computer.

My computer is a very new one, a Mac book with M1 cpu ( I bought it around 2 month ago)

I tried to split the SSID between 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz in the website of BT administration.

but I failed as there is no "change button" on the page that should be according to other's instruction.

Please I beg you your intellegence and help with this issue...

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

FTT — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 09:31:51 GMT

If your Macbook is the only device you can confirm the problem then I think you will have to try one or more access points around the property which may help. You can buy an access point or try and make one from an old router.

Or get an ethernet to USB-C or Thunderbolt dongle and use a wired connection for when you absolutely must have 900MBPs. Also, you can get 240v mains power line adapters which will get you up to 900MBPs https://shop.bt.com/category/networking,network-devices,powerline-adapters/11301 You can have several of those around your property.

I just can't see you getting 900MBPs in a 'normal' house via wi-fi. As posted earlier you may get more than 500MBPs.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

johnhorton88 — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 13:18:15 GMT

If the hub is receiving 900 but your device is only receiving 500 there's an issue with your device or network setup.

Check Ethernet cable quality, hardware drivers/firmwares etc.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

K5054 — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 01:55:52 GMT

Upgraded to BT Halo 3+ but download Speed only approx 100Mb/s why !!??

Checking my speed using '' Broadband Speed Check '' - I get only 94Mb/s

How do I get the 900Mb/s ? - I'm led to believe this will increase over a few days as the system learns the ropes so to speak

Is this 900Mb/s speed only up to Openreach Modem (ONT) which is the Fibre/Copper interface Box

Please help to clarify...joe

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 06:02:40 GMT

You should get up to 900mb on a fast PC with a 1Gb Ethernet connection, wired directly to an Ethernet port on the Smart Hub 2. Wireless connections will be much slower.

The full bandwidth is intended to be shared by multiple devices, not just one connected device.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

K5054 — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 08:08:44 GMT

Thanks Keith for the reply
I am contracted to '' Halo3+ with Smart Hub 2 '' installed yesterday so I'm definitely on a learning curve
Should I see a download speed of ~900Mb/s or approaching this value using the ' Broadband Speed Check ' tool or is there a better one ...joe

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

Keith_Beddoe — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 08:11:45 GMT

Other forum members with FTTP, would be in a better position to advise on the best test. I think fast.com has been mentioned in the past. The device you are using to measure the speed, has to be of high specification.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

johnhorton88 — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 18:26:58 GMT

Can you do a quick check to see the link speed of your ethernet adapter please?

The fact you're topping out at 94 leads me to believe your adapter is only running at 100 mb/s or the device in question does not have a gigabit lan adapter.

If you're on Windows 10 -

Right click the ethernet icon in the bottom corner

Click on "Open Network & Internet Settings"

Click on "Change Adapter options"

Right click on your Ethernet adapter and click on "Status"

If you see the following then your PC should be able to receive the full 900 mb/s .

If it says 100 mb/s then either your ethernet adapter is incorrectly configured, doesn't support gigabit or your ethernet cable may be bad.

In response to "You should get up to 900mb on a fast PC with a 1Gb Ethernet connection"

Any PC with a gigabit capable lan adapter and a decent quality 5e+ cable will get it.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

gosforth — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 20:02:43 GMT

First at all, if you have Halo 3+, that DON’T automatically meant as you need to have FullFibre 900 package.

You could even have Full Fibre Package and on top of it Halo 3+. Technically speaking, any “Full Fibre” Package is able to get “ad-on” Halo 3 or Halo 3+.

If you have FF900 package with Halo 3+, this will means, as your speed might be guaranteed at between OpenReach Exchange, and your Super Hub 2/ONT only. BT will never guarantee any speed in your own home network setup at all.

If you have PC/Laptop capable of 1Gbps LAN connection and had at least 5E category cable (both red and yellow coming with BT SH2 are 5E), you should be ok. Of course cat 6 UTP LAN cable is even better, whilst offering better shielding and therefore bandwidth capable.

Very important info is, as whilst BT SmartHub 2 has all LAN ports 1 Gbps capable, this MUST to be. Case also with ALL your cables, and LAN adapters, switches, etc. Only then you could take maximum from it.

If any of network part will be at any point configured, of physically not able to deliver 1 Gbps, but only 100 Mbps, you will end up with maximum of 100 Mbps.

And this is only valid for hard wired LAN.

At moment, we starting talking about WiFi part, there is no particular way to benefit from Full Fibre 900 package with actual BT Smart Hub 2 at any given moment.

BT SH2 is in theory AC1733 MU-MIMO wireless access point on 5 GHz band.

That “in theory” is alpha and omega of problem here…

If you will be at absolutely remote site, where there is no any further interference on 5 GHz or 2,4 GHz basic Wifi bands, you are in luck. Of course, if that will not interfere with any electric appliance at home even.

But in normal setup, your neighbour will have more likely some sort of Wifi, and another one as well. Company cross the road will have another WiFi AP. All this will contribute to interference.

Whilst BT SH2 essentially use only 3 channels on 2.4 GHz and 3 channels on 5 GHz (even choosing it “smart”) you are in great chance to clash with your neighbours Wifi and compete about bandwidth for yourself.

Plus, your WiFi will be only such quick, as is speed of your slowest WiFi device connected.

For example, if you have WiFi bulbs, Wifi sockets, or even older Amazon Alexa, or Google Nest, they will be probably not able to fully use WiFi AC mode, but more likely only N or even some of them G (2.4 GHz only) mode. This will further contribute to your trouble to get maximum speed and bandwidth over the wifi.

Is good practice, designed these “slower and less hungry” devices to use only 2.4 GHz band, to avoid throttling your 5 GHz with slow device.

But here is problem, as BT SH2 has no chance to split 2.4 and 5 GHZ with different SSID names. For this you will more likely need aftermarket router instead or behind.

Also, if you even will be able split devices by your choice between 2.4 and 5 GHz wifi bands, you are again competing about channel with other APs.

And on top of it, you mobile phone will be most likely able to use MU-MIMO just in 2x2 mode, whilst some of Apple devices will be able to use fully 3x3 which BT SH2 is capable.

Means, as even BT SH2 is in theory AC1733, your mobile phone will have physical link capability, say 866 Mbps only.

Good for FF900 package one say, isn’t it? Better then nothing 🙂

MAC/Wifi overhead on IPV4 will eat another 15-20 percents and on IPV6 even up to 35 percents from it.

And here we go… Interference, WiFi device capabilities, physical link speed, MAC/WiFi overhead and you will find out, as you most certainly NEVER will see more then 550-600 Mbps over the wifi, doesn’t matter what.

Most of the time you will see speeds about 350-450 Mbps over the wifi, on your most faster devices.

Nothing you can do with it, as long as there is BT SH2. Maybe expected BT SuperHub 3 which is expected to be AX (newest Wifi standard) and even Wifi 6 device, with better technical capabilities will see use of FF900 Better.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

steviep147 — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 21:23:01 GMT

Same here. Cheap offer to upgrade from 500 to 900. Now, at the hub, the Speedtest link sent from BT gave a 900 mbps!! (really BT?) but beyond that, on WiFi, according to Ookla I now have a best speed of 430 download which has reduced, as it was 500 on 500. Same for Mac. The upload speed improved from 80 to 110. Contacted BT who gave me a **bleep** and bull story of it depends on how many devices etc, sorry yawn yawn. I was in Qatar earlier in the year and my Mac and IPhone became super heroes on WiFi with speeds over 2000 yes 2000 mbps. And these speeds were apparent in every net visit. Lightning fast downloads and so on. So back to BT. Are they conning us? Absolutely. Shame on them. Fortunately I’m within 14 days so I’ve requested a refund and a return to my previous plan which was every bit as good for less money.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

steviep147 — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 15:24:08 GMT

Much the same as yourself. Signed up for 900 from 500 thinking download speeds would be better.

The speed to the Hub is 900 mbps but the wifi output from it cannot cope with that and maxes out around 500mbps. Upload is around 112, up from 75 on my original so that is a genuine improvement

Must be the Hub 2 that's at fault because the router in Qatar, pumped out over 1.5 gbps to wifi without effort. Man at BT tried to give me some BS about the 900 mbps being aimed at multiple users at once! Bottom line is, unless you want a wired connection, who wants one of those?, the present BT equipment is not up to delivering Gigabit speed over wifi. And that was a dealbreaker for me. Asked to go back to 500.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB download

Colin_London — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 19:07:23 GMT

SmartHub 2 WiFi is only WiFi 5: https://www.businessdirect.bt.com/products/bt-smart-hub-2-097683-DYNK.html#specifications

It is AC2200 802.11ac. 866mbps may be the theoretical maximum on 40MHz 5GHz channels but due to TCP/IP overhead, encryption, interference, contention and various other factors the real world throughput maximum is usually only a bit better than half that. 500mbps really is the best you can expect - more likely 450 mbps, and the more devices you have connected the worse it will get.

So, try and make sure you are using 5GHz if your device has the ability to select bands, and consider getting repeater discs if there are parts of your house that have poorer reception.

You can of course get faster Wi-Fi 6 and 7 devices now - if ultimate Wi-Fi speed is important to you consider buying a better mesh Wi-Fi system.

BT will not be updating their routers for domestic customers as the focus is on moving people to EE which gives its customers better equipment than BT now.

Re: I have moved to 900MB but still suck with the speed around 500MB down

steviep147 — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 21:38:32 GMT

Ye it’s still