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Yes. An older router can cap the speed your devices receive over Wi-Fi, even when your NBN plan is faster. But slow Wi-Fi does not automatically mean you need a new router: your device, home layout, cables, plan, or NBN connection type can also be the limit. Compare a wired speed test with Wi-Fi tests near the router and in the rooms where you use the internet before replacing equipment.
How an old router can limit NBN speed
Your internet connection passes through several links: the NBN service, your provider’s equipment and plan, the router’s ports and Wi-Fi, and the device you use. The slowest relevant link can constrain the result. A newer phone cannot overcome a router’s limits, and a capable router cannot make an older device support a newer Wi-Fi standard.
NBN Co’s current guide gives typical maximums by Wi-Fi generation. These are guide figures, not guaranteed speeds for an individual router or household; real capability varies by router, device, provider, and conditions.
| Wi-Fi generation | Standard | Approximate release year | NBN guide speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 4 | 802.11n | 2009 | Up to 100 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi 5 | 802.11ac | 2013 | Up to 500 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11ax | 2019 | Up to 1 Gbps |
| Wi-Fi 7 | 802.11be | 2024 | Over 2 Gbps |
NBN says a Wi-Fi 4 router can limit even newer connected devices to up to 100 Mbps. The figures are not promises of the speed a particular device will achieve; both the router and the client device must support the relevant capabilities. See NBN Co’s router guidance and its explanation of connected devices, ports, and shared bandwidth.
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Test whether the router or Wi-Fi is the problem
Run comparable tests so you can distinguish a Wi-Fi issue from a slower connection upstream. Use the same speed-test service and device where practical, and note the time and connection method. Other household use and changing network conditions can affect results.
- Check your plan and connection type. Ask your provider which speed tier you pay for and whether your address is connected through FTTP, HFC, FTTN, FTTC, or another NBN technology.
- Test over Ethernet. Connect a computer directly to the router with an Ethernet cable, if your device and router have suitable ports. Turn off Wi-Fi on that computer for the test. A wired result is a useful comparison, though the computer, cable, router ports, and test conditions still matter.
- Test on Wi-Fi beside the router. Use the same device near the router, then repeat the test in the room where performance matters. Keep the test conditions as similar as possible.
- Compare the results. If Ethernet is much faster than Wi-Fi, investigate the wireless setup. If Wi-Fi is strong beside the router but drops in another room, coverage or interference is more likely. If Ethernet is also well below the speed expected for your plan, contact your provider to check the service, plan, and equipment.
This wired/near-router/room comparison follows NBN Co’s recommended Wi-Fi troubleshooting approach. A single test is not a definitive diagnosis, especially when devices, test times, or household activity differ.
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If Ethernet is fast but Wi-Fi is slow
Check each part of the wireless link before shopping for a replacement.
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Check the router and the device
- Find the router model and its Wi-Fi generation in its label, settings, or manufacturer documentation. Compare it with the Wi-Fi capabilities of the phone, laptop, or other device you tested.
- Check whether the router’s WAN and LAN ports support the speed you expect. A router can have modern Wi-Fi and still be constrained by a slower wired port.
- Consider whether several devices are using the connection at once. They share available bandwidth, so a busy household can reduce the speed available to one device.
NBN’s guidance explains that router, device, cable, and port capabilities all contribute to the outcome; see Your connected devices.
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- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Improve placement and reduce obstructions
Place the router centrally and in an elevated, open position where practical. Walls, furniture, distance, and interference can weaken Wi-Fi. NBN’s router guidance and home internet setup tips cover placement and ways to optimise a home network.
Use mesh or wired access points for coverage gaps
If results fall substantially in rooms farther from the router, a mesh system or wired access point may improve coverage. Mesh extends Wi-Fi through the home; it does not increase the speed included in your NBN plan or fix a slow wired connection. A wired access point can be useful where you can run Ethernet to the area that needs better coverage.
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- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
If Ethernet is slow too
A slow wired result points beyond Wi-Fi, but it does not identify the cause by itself. Confirm that the test device and cable are connected to suitable router ports, then ask your provider to investigate the plan, line, and equipment. Make clear that the result came from a wired test and share the time and speed recorded.
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The access technology can matter. In ACCC measurements from May 2025, services on 100 Mbps plans averaged 88.2 Mbps on FTTN and 104.4 Mbps on FTTP and HFC. For 50 Mbps plans, the measured averages were 47.6 Mbps on FTTN, 52.1 Mbps on FTTP, and 52.3 Mbps on HFC. The ACCC also reported that 86% of measured underperforming connections were FTTN services on 50 or 100 Mbps plans. These are ACCC measurements for those service groups, not a prediction for every household. See the ACCC’s May 2025 findings on NBN download speeds.
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Plan upgrades also depend on connection type and availability. The ACCC says selected speed increases announced for September 2025 applied to FTTP and HFC; FTTN and FTTC did not receive those increases. Ask your provider which plans are available at your address and what performance they specify. The ACCC’s announcement on higher-speed NBN plans reported a 503.9 Mbps average on upgraded NBN Home Fast during weekday 7–11 pm busy hours, with 80.5% of measured services exceeding 500 Mbps. Those figures describe the upgraded FTTP/HFC plan context, not all NBN services.
When replacing a router makes sense
Consider a new router when tests show a substantial Wi-Fi shortfall near the router, the current router’s Wi-Fi or port capabilities are below what your plan and devices need, or the provider confirms the equipment is unsuitable. Wi-Fi 6 is a reasonable contemporary baseline for many households, but it is not a guarantee of a particular speed and may not be necessary for every plan or use.
Before choosing a replacement, verify that it works with your NBN access technology and provider configuration, supports appropriate WAN/LAN port speeds, and is compatible with the Wi-Fi capabilities of your devices. If coverage is the issue rather than router throughput, compare a mesh setup or wired access points instead of assuming a faster single router will solve dead zones. Ask your provider about compatibility; NBN also advises customers to discuss plan and router suitability with their provider.
Buying equipment before checking the bottleneck can waste money: a new router will not remedy an NBN line constraint, a plan limit, or a device that cannot use its capabilities. The ACCC has also noted that some households may be better served by less expensive plans depending on their needs.
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