WiFi slow on MR1100

Hi emtr3,

Congrats on getting 200Mbit on AT&T when clients are connected over Ethernet!  I've yet to see more than ~120 Mbit from mine -- though, that was over Wifi.

In order to get fast Wifi speeds, make sure your Wifi settings are set corrects:

0) be sure you have the latest firmware 12.06.02.01 (or 12.02.06.01 -- I forget)

1) turn off 2.4Ghz (preferred for stability).  Or set it to a different SSID

2) Ensure 5.8 Ghz range is set to Long, AC, 40 Mhz.

3) Use a tool like inssider or other to see what channel wifi channels are only lightly used in your location

4) Set the MR1100 to use that 5.8Ghz channel -- though Auto seems to work fairly well, too.

5) Associate your Wireless client to the 5.8GHz SSID

6) Be sure your client is 2x2 (any modern iPhone, iPad, Samsung S7/8/9, etc.) should do

7) use fast.com for benchmarking.

We're at an inflection point where only the newest Wifi technology is fast enough for the higher LTE speeds.  2.4 Ghz won't cut it any more.  And band steering, if the MR1100 supports (not sure) is often a crap shoot.

5.8Ghz AC, 40Mhz, with 2x2.  This has a maximal air link rate of 866Mhz.  Of which, best case, it can suppor ~350-400Mbit for a single 2x2 client with no RF interference at close range -- same room.  As you move further away from the AP, or have more than 2 or 3 clients all chatting away, this will deterioate to ~100-200Mbit.

I wish we could set the 5.8Ghz radio to 20Mhz for better range, but alas this is not an available option.  My Velocity 2 lets you pick from 20, 40, 80, or auto and has much better range in general.  But the MR1100 is a bit faster over LTE.

I would not recommend using 80Mhz unless your 5.8Ghz RF spectrum is very clear.  Generally there is too much noise and too limited range for 80Mhz.  Often 40 performs better.  But feel free to experiment.

No mattery what, Ethernet will be better.  I just bought a proper AP (TP-Link EAP225v3) to connect to my MR1100 over Ethernet.  This will give me the best 2.4 and 5.8Ghz range and speed possible without worrying about the limited power and thermal envelope of the MR1100.

-Jonathan