Forum Discussion

Tutor

Jul 07, 2018

Solved

WiFi slow on MR1100

Why is the wifi slower on the US version of the Nighthawk M1 then it is in the Australian version on Telstra? People are getting real world speeds of 200+mbps over WIFI? Whereas I can only get max no ...

Firmware

Mobile Routers

JSchnee21
Jul 10, 2018
Hi emtr3,

I'd say trying taking it to an AT&T store and see if they will swap it out for you.

-Jonathan

JSchnee21

Virtuoso

Jul 07, 2018

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

emtr3
Tutor
Jul 07, 2018
Thanks for the swift reply J! I have tried playing with and around the internal settings of the wifi and modem settings itself but it just seems to be falling subpar or inferior to our aussie counterparts equipment. I know I wouldnt get anywhere near the 200-300 mbps in my area without another mast being placed nearby but for them to be getting 200 mbps in a crowded area over wifi should make me getting over 30^&down a easy piece of cake. I've tried multiple times to break that speed without using my Nighthawk X6S range extender (that's where I got my 200mbps speed test once before). Hardwired from the M1 to the X6S and then to the xbox one for a update, but I cant necessarily carry around a 200$ AC powered range extender....
- emtr3
  Tutor
  Jul 07, 2018
  Also out of curiosity what kind of speeds do you normally see?
  - JSchnee21
    Virtuoso
    Jul 08, 2018
    Hi emtr3,
    
    Help me understand. Do you have the US version, and your friend has the Australian version? When you are both here in the USA, he gets 200Mbit and you get 30Mbit? Are you sure you are both on AT&T? Is he roaming onto a different carrier -- like Tmobile or Verizon?
    
    I routinely get ~20-60Mbit on AT&T in PA and NJ -- across all of my AT&T equipment (iPhone 6s, iPhone 5s, MR1100, Velocity 2). Best case, when very near (1000 feet) a strong AT&T cell tower with fiber backhaul I might get 90-120Mbit. Best speeds I've ever seen on AT&T were ~150-160Mbit. This was on my 6s, on the MR1100 I've only ever gotten 120Mbit.
    
    I suspect that AT&T is being very stingy with carrier aggregation. Also, they don't have 20MHz chunks on most carrier bands. Often just 5 or 10MHz. It could be that the AUS version is more aggressive at aggregating across multiple carrier bands. AT&T may be limiting this.
    
    AT&T seems very slow in implemeting 3x and 4x CA, along with 256 QAM, and 4x4MIMO. Tmo and Verizon are way ahead in this regard.
    
    -Jonathan