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eddyvaughn's avatar
eddyvaughn
Aspirant
Jan 30, 2021

Bandwidth Limitations?

I recently installed the AC750/EX3700 Range Extender to boost the signal in my basement. My main router is an Xfinity X7.  

 

Product installed fine, and the Extender network shows up with 4 bars in the basement

But speedtest.net is only showing 20MPS while the network from the main modem shows 40MPS with 2 bars of signal.

Note: I get 350MPS on the main level of my home.

 

Is this the expected result?

I of course was expecting this product to bring us closer to the 350MPS to my basement, and of course expecting more bandwidth than from the degraded main signal of 40MPS.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Ed

3 Replies

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jan 31, 2021

    A couple things. 

    Single/dual band extenders drop throughput 50% off the signal they receive.  Reason this happens is they have to use the same chip to go router---extender and then extender-----devices and they can't do both at once. Plus if there's obstructions/distance/interference issues, the signal they recieve isn't going to be great. They need a good signal to run off. 

     

    As well as 2.4ghz is much much slower than 5ghz. so if you're using 2.4ghz, it will be slower. 

     

    Another point is the EX3700 is a 2x2  antenna device on the 2.4ghz and 1x1 on the 5ghz. meaning it only connecting at 300mbps over 2.4ghz (which it won't hit, this is link speed, not throughput) and at max 433mbps over 5ghz which again, it won't hit. LInk speed isn't the same as throughput speed. 

     

    Potentially you can get more than 40mbps but at lot depends on how far from the router you are, what's obstructing, what interference you have, and what actual speeds you get at that spot. If you test your phone in the spot where the extender is and the phone only gets 40mbps, thats all the extender is going to be getting as well. Then add in its throughput loss, and you see the issue. 

    • eddyvaughn's avatar
      eddyvaughn
      Aspirant
      Jan 31, 2021

      Thanks a bunch for your reply.   It doesn't quite jive with what Netgear tech support expects though, so wanted to confirm a couple things:

       

      My main level house Wifi speed is about 350MPS of a 600MPS service (5Ghz)

      Basement speed without the exptender is about 40MPS (2,.4Ghz), and connection to TV is spotty.

      Basement speed with extender is about 20-30 MPS. (2.4 Ghz) Connection shows 4 bars, and is more consistent to TV.  

       

      You seem to be saying the best I should expect is about 40 MPS. 

      You also say that the extender needs a good signal for work from - If I had a good signal I wouldn't need the extender :-)

       

      So, Just to clarifiy, what do you think the best speed I can expect to attain with the extender?

       

      Thanks again!

       

      Ed