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Capped download speeds on BT Full Fibre 900 (RBR50)
Hi all,
I've spent a large amount of time trying to decipher my issue but have hit a brick wall.
I have recently upgraded to BT's full Fibre 900. My RBR50 is connected to a singular RBS40V.
No matter which firmware I run on the RBR50, I am hitting between 350-500mbps download and 100mbps upload (wired) - at router, incl via the in-built speed test on the admin dashboard.
Now some will be quick to say: "but that's probably due to your ISP capping your speeds!" - normally I'd agree, but in this instance the stock BT Smart Hub 2 (SH2) router hits 900mbps download and 100mbps upload consistently over a wired connection.
So, I've tried the following with the Orbi system:
-Factory reset(s)
-New and old firmware flashes (v2.7.5.4, v2.7.3.22, v2.7.4.24) - oddly when I tried v2.5.1.8 (which some people reported working fine), it flashed v2.7.3.22; note, the RBS40V is on v2.6.2.8.
-Setup the RBR50 as an AP to the SH2
-Tried different ethernet cables to connect up to the Openreach modem (ONT).
Thus, no matter what I try or do, the RBR50 is capped at 350-500mbps download. Sure, that's plenty, but not for what I'm paying for and given the stock SH2 router is hitting 900mbps, it begs the question: what's going on?
Oh and yes, I've looked everywhere for a solution, including on these forums and all of the solutions point towards ISP not providing the right speeds (not the case for me), or people not knowing that Wi-Fi has lowered speeds (again not the case in my situation).
Any help would be appreciated; if I/we can't solve it, I'll buy a new mesh system, and it certainly won't be from Netgear!
So, an update: I called BT and as I thought, they said, they can't help me with the Netgear product, however, they can confirm that no routers are capped in any way by themselves or Openreach.
On a side note, the black and white Wi-Fi discs bt BT are identical technically speaking, just that the black one is older, while the white one is EE branded (partnership) and is the one that's sold by BT to anyone who wants it. I was curious to know if the BT system would solve my issues, that's why.
Anyway, back on subject, tech support oddly said that if a node is connected (at least on their mesh system), it can half the throughput; it didn't make much sense to me as my tests were being done at the router, not at the node.
Nonetheless, I manually disconnected the RBS40V and re-ran tests; and suddenly I was getting 900/100 at the router with the Netgear Orbi!
I then re-added the node back to the system (which should have been a simple procedure, but instead required me to do two factory resets - why, Netgear!?), and then the router was still reporting 900/100.
Now, I'm not sure what the solution was: resets, removal of node and re-adding, maybe even server locations having different speed readings on separate days, but regardless I'm pleased to say that it's magically solved.
So I can confirm that at the router (wired), you can achieve 900/100 through the Netgear Orbi system (the original RBR50 + RBS40V).
A question, however, if anyone knows: what is the maximum speed the node is capable of when connected over ethernet? Thus, Moden -> WAN port to Netgear Orbi router (RBR50) -> Wireless to Node (signal = Good, 5G signal reported) -> Node to PC connected via Ethernet.
At the moment via my PC that's now connected over ethernet to the node (RBS40V) upstairs, I'm seeing a max of 450mbps. Is this due to the throughout of 866mbps being halved (as per BT's instructions), or due to it being capped at 450mbps over wireless? Would there be a means of getting the max 900mbps via the node with another mesh system? If so, what do I need to look for?
19 Replies
What is the Mfr and model# of the Internet Service Providers modem/ONT the NG router is connected too?
Be sure your using a good quality LAN cable between the modem and router. CAT6 is recommended.What are the ethernet speeds with a ethernet connected PC seen while connected at the ONT and behind the RBR50? You should see near 900Mpbs with a wired PC and Ooklas installable speed test app.
Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
Try option #2 first...Did you just copy and paste different information and completely ignore what was mentioned in the OP?
I copy and paste as I see fit. Ya I read. Posted as I saw fit. Please give feedback.
So, an update: I called BT and as I thought, they said, they can't help me with the Netgear product, however, they can confirm that no routers are capped in any way by themselves or Openreach.
On a side note, the black and white Wi-Fi discs bt BT are identical technically speaking, just that the black one is older, while the white one is EE branded (partnership) and is the one that's sold by BT to anyone who wants it. I was curious to know if the BT system would solve my issues, that's why.
Anyway, back on subject, tech support oddly said that if a node is connected (at least on their mesh system), it can half the throughput; it didn't make much sense to me as my tests were being done at the router, not at the node.
Nonetheless, I manually disconnected the RBS40V and re-ran tests; and suddenly I was getting 900/100 at the router with the Netgear Orbi!
I then re-added the node back to the system (which should have been a simple procedure, but instead required me to do two factory resets - why, Netgear!?), and then the router was still reporting 900/100.
Now, I'm not sure what the solution was: resets, removal of node and re-adding, maybe even server locations having different speed readings on separate days, but regardless I'm pleased to say that it's magically solved.
So I can confirm that at the router (wired), you can achieve 900/100 through the Netgear Orbi system (the original RBR50 + RBS40V).
A question, however, if anyone knows: what is the maximum speed the node is capable of when connected over ethernet? Thus, Moden -> WAN port to Netgear Orbi router (RBR50) -> Wireless to Node (signal = Good, 5G signal reported) -> Node to PC connected via Ethernet.
At the moment via my PC that's now connected over ethernet to the node (RBS40V) upstairs, I'm seeing a max of 450mbps. Is this due to the throughout of 866mbps being halved (as per BT's instructions), or due to it being capped at 450mbps over wireless? Would there be a means of getting the max 900mbps via the node with another mesh system? If so, what do I need to look for?
Yes, the RBS40V backhaul connection to the primary router is over a 5G WiFi link, 802.11ac with 2x2 MIMO (two antennas).
WiFi links are inherently half-duplex, i.e. only one unit can transmit at a time. (A 'wired' link would be full duplex with traffic flowing constantly in both directions.) In addition, that 866 speed can be achieved only when the units are (literally) right next to each other. When moved to the more typical 30 ft apart, the speed will drop quite a bit.
The obvious way to achieve "full speed" is to link the two units with Ethernet cable. Since for many users this is impractical, the next best solution to increase speed over the WiFi link is to find units where the backhaul link is WiFi6 ( 802.11ax) and 4x4 MIMO. Netgear's 750, 850, 860, and 960 products all feature WiFi backhaul with maximum theoretical speed of 2400Mbps. This speed is the same "marketing speak" as the 866 advertised for the RBS40V. (i.e. total BS.)
What an adventure you've had!
Great info, thank you so much for your input, CrimpOn!
Glad you got it working. Please mark your thread as solved so others will know. Be sure to save off a back up configuration to file for safe keeping. Saves time if a reset is needed.
https://kb.netgear.com/000062080/How-do-I-back-up-the-configuration-settings-on-my-Orbi-WiFi-System
Enjoy. 📡
