Wi-Fi Pod Speed Tests

[Aptic]

Up until recently I was getting between 300-600 mbps on my POD and Hub over wifi. (I don't have wired connections) However, I am at best getting around 150-200 mbps on my POD now (no change with the Hub, and there was no change to my set up).  I rebooted everything to see if it would make a difference, but it remains the same.    This has been going on for about a week, and measured at different times throughout the day.

When I run the Bell wifi checkup, it is showing a download speed of 1.8 gbps on the hub, and 1.5 gbps on the POD - with a strong signal to all my devices.  That said, I see no difference in the performance of any of my devices. I also note that the Bell wifi app is showing my devices are getting 2-3x the speed that I see when I run Speedtest or Fast. 

I am curious as to why the POD speed connectivitiy has dropped in half, and why Bell keeps sending me promotions to upgrade my speed, when I can't even come close to getting the speed I pay for now. 

[Aptic]

Guess I will just cancel the POD and Bell can lose the revenue - since I am getting better speeds from the hub which is much further away.  Go figure.

[dks]

Thank you for your observation. What you describe is not surprising at all and appears to be normal pod behaviour. The pods are always self-regulating for speed. They determine what pod or the hub is best to connect your devices to, based on their algorithm rules. You can never obtain theoretical maximum speed on the pods at all times and on all devices. I have found that the pods "bottom out" at about 200 Mbps. That makes no difference to my computer experience. Your experience may be different. 

If you find the pods don't work for you, they don't work for you. However, I have found the WiFi app to be helpful in understanding how the pods work and are mapped, as well as how devices move around.  

[ADude2]

I have this issue as well and no one appears to be able to solve it, it's beyond frustrating!!

My desktop is Ethernet-wired into my Wifi 6E pod. Back at the end of August, I was obtaining 500 mbps on my speed tests from Speedtest.net. At some point after that, my speed tests have plummeted to 200mbps max. Nothing has changed. The Ethernet cable, the positioning of the pod, the computer, nothing.

I've spoken to Bell several times about it to no avail. They've sent me new wifi pods to test, and still nothing.

[dks]

Thank you for your post. There are many factors involved in pod speed. How far is the pod from the modem? Are you having any issues with your internet experience? And what is your speed expectation? 

[ADude2]

Hello, thank you for the reply, I appreciate the attempt to help.

I understand your comment "There are many factors involved in pod speed. How far is the pod from the modem?"

However I must emphasize that my modem has not moved nor changed, my pod has not moved or changed, my desktop has not moved or changed, and neither has my Ethernet cable.

End of August it was obtaining 500mbps, which is my expectation. I pay for the 500mbps Fibe package and I had received that speed to my desktop in this configuration prior for many months without issue.

At some point after that it, suddenly decreased to a maximum of 200mbps, almost as if it is was suddenly throttled. I am not having any issues with my internet experience side from the fact that my desktop has been inexplicably obtaining less than half the speed it used to for no reason for months now. Based on this thread, clearly I am not alone either. The modem itself continues to receive its 500mbps on the internal speed test.

None of my external factors have changed to provide an explanation as to why I have gone from 500mbps to 200mbps. It is also interesting to see @BellPatricia mention the Wifi pod "Provides average speeds of up to 300 Mbps in the optimal setup" - This very same pod used to obtain 500mbps without issues prior.

Bell has attempted to send me a new Wifi pod, and it has not made any difference. Both in replacing the pod all together, or attempting to run 2 pods in my household, no difference, so I returned to the old one. The Bell Wifi App continues to indicate an excellent signal quality over the 6ghz frequency.

This entire sequence of events feels like a firmware update gone bad or some attempt at throttling.

[Aptic]

@ADude2   Since several people are having the exact issue at the same time, I think your last sentence is correct.  Also funny that this issue is marked 'solved'.  

[themajorbrandon]

I agree with the firmware update gone bad or attempt at throttling. Too coincidental we all now peak at 200mbps.A shame because I really liked my pod and now I plan on cancelling the rental.

[dks]

Thank you for your reply. As background, I asked for a traceroute from the modem to eliminate the possibility of an upstream problem. One thing I have learned is that issues often don't have obvious solutions and it takes time to eliminate potential issues. I am also a pod user with five pods. I have had them for several years and find them completely satisfactory. I also have the Giga Hub modem. With that, some more questions. 

What modem do you have? I am thinking the Giga Hub, correct? 

 Have you installed the Bell WiFi app installed? When you connect your device to the pod, what speed does it report? 

With pods, there is always a speed drop because of the speed of the limiting WiFi connection and the distance between the modem and the pod. That should not be more than 15m. 

You indicate that you expect to get 500 Mbps from the pod if you have 500 Mbps service. It is expected that would be the speed test result from the modem, yes. But it might be less after passing through an external router and then by radio signal to a pod. To give you some idea what that might look like, I have 3 Gb service but any device at the end of the pod network and two pods still can hold a steady 200 Mbps connection. Expectation of a 500 Mbps service at the end of a pod connection is not realistic. Bell has said that 300Mbps from a pod is normal. Variations will also occur.

Bell has repeatedly said, and I have no reason to doubt their statement, is that they do not throttle internet service unless a customer exceeds their data cap. That does not apply to unlimited accounts. 

I can't comment on any firmware changes as I haven't experienced them. The pod firmware does adjust service for the best possible connection, based on load or demand. You will see the light on the pod flashing blue when that happens. 

While I appreciate your frustration, I am open to further conversation, if you wish. I am also not, nor ever have been an employee of Bell. I am another customer willing to assist other customers.   

[Vanadiel]

It's not clear to me how this is set up. I understand the desktop is Ethernet-wired into the Wifi 6E pod.

But what about the pod? Is it wired directly into the home hub, or Is it linked wirelessly to the home hub?

[ADude2]

Hello,

As mentioned in my post, I have the Bell Wi-Fi app installed, yes. My Wifi 6E Pod indicates an "Excellent" signal quality over the 6Ghz frequency, as it always has. I have the GigaHub router as well.

"Expectation of a 500 Mbps service at the end of a pod connection is not realistic."
"You indicate that you expect to get 500 Mbps from the pod if you have 500 Mbps service"

Yes, I indicated I expect 500mbps from the pod because that is the speed I used to have. Without issue. For months. In this very exact, same configuration with zero modifications or changes in my setup, placement, equipment or anything. My previous screenshot even shows that.

I don't mean to sound snarky to you specifically, so please don't feel targeted or offended, I understand you aren't a Bell employee and you're just trying to help.

This, however, has been my experience with bell customer service since the beginning. I explain this is what i used to get without issue and that nothing has changed on my end, and I'm being told that's not possible, you need to be within 15 meters, the pods can't exceed 200-300mbps, no actual solutions, just the same talking points without feeling like what i'm saying is actually being read and taken into account.

Absolutely frustrating considering the cost of services these days.

[Symple_Syrup]

I noticed that my modem was updated from the 1.19.6 version to the 2.13 version this morning... 4:44am

2025-01-17 04:44:19

INF

SYS

The Modem successfully installed a firmware update

I have two 6E pods connected to the Gigahub modem. I use a wired ethernet connection from each of the pods, one to an older laptop and one two a brand new desktop. My old laptop would max out at 50 mbps ( now max is 23 mbps). The pod connects to the GIGAhub on the 5Ghz band and being older tech in the laptop I was happy with the 50mbps - but now being at half the speed it is too slow. My new desktop connects to a different 6E pod that connects at the 6Ghz band. I used to download on this desktop at 100 mbps sometimes more. It now downloads at 23 mbps.  I rebooted - unplugged everything ad restarted this morning to see if any difference and everything is slow! Bell you have throttled the pods somehow- I would like my old firmware back!

[dks]

Thank you for your observations. Can you say what speed profile you are on? And can you say what speed your modem reports on a speed test from the console? What speeds do the WiFi app report on each device? 

With respect to going back to your old firmware, that's not possible, I believe. 

[dks]

I can assure you I do understand what you are saying. On the other hand, a pod providing output of 500 Mbps service on a 500 Mbps service at the modem is highly unusual. There will always be a speed drop between modem and pod unless the pod is hardwired.  

[Aptic]

I have 1.5gb internet, was consistently getting 500-600 on the pod. Using the same method of testing, I am getting 140-170.  Still don't have an explanation as to why the pods' speed is decreasing.

[dks]

Nor do I. But my own speeds on all pods are about 175/200 Mbps and always have been, on 3 Gb profile.