Many Canadians are surprised when their Wi‑Fi speed test results are much lower than the speeds advertised by their internet provider. In most cases, the issue isn’t the provider — it’s the wireless connection inside the home.
Wi‑Fi Is Always Slower Than Wired
A wired Ethernet connection provides the most accurate speed test. Wi‑Fi introduces interference, distance limitations, and shared bandwidth, all of which reduce your actual speed.
Common Wi‑Fi Bottlenecks in Canadian Homes
- Older routers: Many households still use Wi‑Fi 4 or Wi‑Fi 5 hardware.
- Large homes: Especially common in suburban Canada, where Wi‑Fi struggles to reach all rooms.
- Neighbour interference: Condos and apartments often have dozens of overlapping networks.
- Distance from the router: Speeds drop sharply with each wall or floor.
How to Improve Wi‑Fi Speed
- Upgrade to a Wi‑Fi 6 or Wi‑Fi 6E router
- Use mesh Wi‑Fi for larger homes
- Place the router in a central, elevated location
- Use 5 GHz or 6 GHz bands for faster speeds
For the most accurate speed test, always compare your Wi‑Fi results with a wired test.