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Forum Discussion
Wildly fluctuating download speeds
I'm at a loss right now as this problem has been going on for too long. Computer using network cable directly into Orbi, I get 300+ mbps at all times. Computer using Orbi wifi get's 150+ sometimes,...
The orbi system uses bandsteering.
Meaning devices can be connected to 2.4ghz or 5ghz depending on their own band steering protocols.
Reason I say that is the 2.4ghz is a much much slower network and sensitive to interference.
On my old Orbi AC system, the 30mbps was about all I could expect from it because there was so much intererence in my area.
5ghz is much faster but its speeds drop off quickly with distance/obstructions.
More than likely when you're getting the faster 150+ speeds, you're on the 5ghz and the lower 30mbps is the lower 2.4ghz.
The good think is most services, don't need blazing faster speeds. 4k video only needs 25-40mbps to stream.
So 4k video might struggle on the 2.4ghz but then usually after a bit of needing higher bandwidth, devices tend to steer themselves to the 5ghz band.