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. 

[rascar]

It appears to be happening to a significant number of people here. So there was a mess up.

[dks]

Thank you for your thoughts. I want to point out the difference between the Virtual Repair Tool and the W-Fi Checkup tool on the MyBell web page. They compliment each other. You might try the Wi-Fi tool first, before the Virtual Repair tool. The Wi-Fi tool is also a lot faster. 

[Aptic]

I contacted support and they are sending me a replacement pod.  I was told by the rep that I was not the first person to call today about a pod issue.  I am afraid I will have the same issue with the replacement.  I really hope this is not going to go on for months like last time.  

[GS_5]

I hope too .....

[GS_5]

Hi, Did you receive the replacement POD? Did you get the expected performance?
If so, what firmware version was installed on the POD?

[LearningToKnow]

I had been travelling and returned home October 27 to find the degraded/slow download speeds through the pods. Typically, I get 300-350 Mbps down but both pods were maxing out around 120. Pods were showing "fair" connection status on the wi-fi. They are usually at excellent.
I unplugged the pods and the Gigahub the evening of the 28th. Until yesterday evening, no improvement.
As of this morning, October 31, the pods are back to normal speeds and again showing excellent status on the wi-fi app. All of the above FYI. I don't know how to check the pod firmware, but am willing to try to identify it given the procedure to follow.

[BellPatricia]

Hey everyone! Thanks very much for keeping in touch with the Bell community.

I just wanted to jump in and share a bit of context around why Wi-Fi pod speeds can fluctuate, especially when SSID bands are involved.

Fluctuations in pod speed are part of the normal optimization process. Bell’s Wi-Fi pods use band steering and optimization to help manage how devices connect to either the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6GHz band. 

 The band you are connected to at the time will impact the speeds that you see.

• 2.4 GHz Band: Offers better range but lower speeds. Devices may be temporarily steered to this band if the signal strength is stronger or if the 5 GHz band is congested.
• 5 GHz Band: Delivers faster speeds but has shorter range. Pods will prefer this band when conditions are ideal. However this may switch based on interference or device movement.
• 6 GHz Band (Wi-Fi 6E): Delivers the highest speeds and lowest interference, but only works with compatible devices and has the shortest range. Pods and modems may steer traffic here when available and beneficial.

Let us know if you have any more questions or concerns. 

@BellPatricia 

[rascar]

That’s not a problem of fluctuations. They were working great more than 1gbps. Now they always get weak signal, even when plugged close to the router. I reached out to support a they say they’re defective and will send new ones. I hope that true, but seeing that many folks here have issues, I suppose it is a firmware issue.

[Aptic]

Yes, I received the POD the next day.  Of course it wouldn't activate so I had to call in.  Tech support actually answered within a minute of me calling once I navigated through all the annoying menu prompts.  Not sure what he did on his end but but I am back to normal speeds, but there are large fluctuations in speed and signal strength that I had not experienced before.  For the device in question the speed flucutates from 200-300 Mbps on the POD.  When I run an ethernet cable directly into the POD I get 700 Mbps.  The problem is I have to run the cable to the POD as I can't drill any holes.

[Aptic]

Yes I agree.  I do note that the signal strength really fluctuates and at least once per day the POD goes offline and then comes back.  It never used to do that.

[GS_5]

To find the POD firmware, you need to use the Bell WiFi app on an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. 
Log in with your MyBell ID. On the app's page, select your POD. 
From the POD's page, tap the three dots in the upper right corner. 
In the menu that appears, look for hardware information, tap it, and you will find the firmware version.

[LearningToKnow]

Thank you. Firmware 5.8.0-87-gc76b7f-prod-ig

[dks]

What you describe is normal behaviour for the Bell Plume pods. They optimize their connection at least once every 24 hours. Usually this happens in the middle of the night, but it can also happen during the day when computers are not being used. 

[dks]

Pods take 24 hours from deliver to be registered. Bell will not register pods in their system until they receive confirmation of delivery. You can also call in, as you did. 

[WebGeeks]

Yes, depending on ad hoc usage during the day and moving around the home, they can optimize anytime. My pods just optimized at 4:17PM.

Depending also on devices and pod distances to the hub, a pod may connect at 2.4, 5 or 6Ghz and impact the speeds you achieve. Last I looked, I have two at 6Ghz and the other two at 5Ghz.

When doing speed tests, you need to look at the Wi-Fi app to see what pod you are connected to and what speed it is connect at.