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]

My Firestick has always connected to the Pod.  When I ran speed tests in the past using the Firestick, I would typically get 150-200 on the pod.  Now, the best I can get is 80. 

[Symple_Syrup]

Not sure if my update made it here or not.. Hopefully not a repeat.

History

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Date/Time Blocked traffic Latency Download speed Upload speed  

2025-01-17 12:10:16	Yes	3 Milliseconds	2.03 Gbps	2.91 Gbps
2025-01-17 11:59:27	Yes	3 Milliseconds	2.49 Gbps	3.02 Gbps

I pay for the 3GB speed.  I'm not sure what you mean regarding speeds through the APP. The two PODs are connected (they support the 6E wifi). One is connected through 5Ghz channel to the hub. One is connected through the 6 Ghz channel.  I am looking at the speed through the ethernet connection from the PODs ethernet port to the windows devices. Both devices report approx 198 Mbs when running a speedtest though speedtest.net.

 We tried removing the PODS from the account, many reboots ( 2 Hours of troubleshooting with Bell). 

 It appears that the pods are the slow connection. The WIFI from the GiGahub itself to my Wireless windows 11 laptop produces 

Download Mbps
539.70
 Upload Mbps
366.34

  I have a reference number open with Bell  and they are escalating the issue as they have found more occurrences. I hope to have a call back on Monday afternoon.  

[dks]

Thank you for your update. Given what you are reporting, those download speeds through your pods are almost exactly what I experience myself through any of my five pods and with the 3 Gb profile. 

[Aptic]

A bell tech was working at my neighbours and I asked him about pods.  He confirmed many users are reporting a significant decline in speed and connectivity with the pods, but there is no fix at the moment.  He also confirmed that when properly placed and getting a good signal, a wireless device can connect at the same speed when standing beside the hub or a pod.  I can confirm prior to this issue I was connecting wirelessly between 500-600 when standing beside the hub or a pod.  At least its nice to know that Bell is now aware of this issue.

[PodsSlow]

Hi,

Something is seriously wrong with the Bell Pods. A firmware update or something must have affected the WiFi 6E pods because no matter what, the download speed maxes out at 200-220 Mbps consistently, whereas I was able to get 1.5 Gigs download/upload over the 6E pods before (I'm on a 3 gig fibe plan). It feels as if its being "capped."

I'm posting here after I wasn't able to get help after being passed around to three techs on the phone who were not able to give a satisfactory explanation as to why the speed was dramatically reduced. As an IT Specialist by day, my hunch would be that it's either a Plume Pod or Home Hub firmware update responsible for the slow down/cap.

I also spoke with a field technician who reported that there has been an increase in complaints regarding the pods.

Here's the modem and pod firmware versions in case it helps:

HH4k/Gigahub: 2.13
Plume WiFi 6E Pod: 4.2.0-155-g1af418-prod-ig
Plume firmware on HH4K: 3.2.4.0-110-gcfa787 

[dks]

This question has been asked by others. A 6e device connected to the Giga Hub will get 1.3 to 1.5 Gb up and down, much less connected to the pod. In my own experience, 200-300 Mbps is normal speed for pods. There is no evidence of a firmware issue in the modem or in the pods. 

[Aptic]

Bell is aware of this issue. No further information as to a fix, or if there even is one planned.  My speeds dropped from 600 to 150.  I can't even get 200 Mbps anymore.  Never understood why telcos push high speeds and charge a premium, when most users devices can't come close to acheiving those speeds.

[PodsSlow]

I hope there’s a resolution on this soon. Quite frankly, it’s frustrating to experience a 7x performance decrease and then have people gaslight by saying the pods don’t support the performance I was getting before- a whopping 1.5 gigs plugged into the 2.5 gig port on the 6E pod!

[Aptic]

@PodsSlowAgree.  Frustrating when the helpful reply is of no help at all.

[dks]

With all respect, I have had pods for several years and have five pods right now. I have never had performance equivalent to my 3 Gb profile speed, even with 6e devices connected. The best speeds have come from 6e devices connected directly to the Giga Hub with about 1300 Mbps reported. Otherwise, even with more recent pods, the usual speeds are 200-399 Mbps on 6e devices. Bell has confirmed this is normal for pods.

As a user, I am passing on my own systemic, ongoing observations. My understanding is that Bell is looking at these reported differences.

There are many variables with pods and individual setups. Using the Bell WiFi app is the more consistent way to determine connectivity and device speed, using your own smartphone. I have found device speed tests such as Ookla, even Bell's version, more variable.  

[Symple_Syrup]

There are many of us that have reported this issue of the slow 6E pods. Bell is currently working on my issue and have been updating me on the progress ( which is nothing so far). I will update this thread with the findings when I have them. 

Gigahub: 2.13
Plume WiFi 6E Pod: 4.2.0-155-g1af418-prod-ig - i have two of these.
Plume firmware on HH4000-E : 3.2.4.0-110-gcfa787 

SSID: removed
Protocol: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Security type: WPA2-Personal
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation

[PodsSlow]

I’m not sure what your setup and plan is so I cannot speak to the speeds you are getting.

But I and many others in this thread can confirm we were able to get 500, 600 (and in my case, 1.5 gigs) when plugged in physically to a 6E pod.

I would like to know why suddenly everyone seems to have the same issue and down to the same 200 mbps speed.

[ekstasis]

I too have been experiencing this very issue with my pod. I noticed about a month ago that my speeds had drastically reduced, whether connected to the pod via wifi OR ethernet, with what seems to be a 200 mbps cap.

I complained about this to Bell support after seeing multiple other users report this issue here, and on reddit.

Support told me: they are looking into the matter; opened a ticket regarding this issue on my account; they've heard similar reports from other users; and that I would be updated once a resolution was made.

To users and commenters who insist this is expected behaviour: This is clearly NOT expected pod behaviour. My pod was easily achieving over 200 mbps for multiple years in my home. I've never once changed the location of it, and my Home Hub has only moved a few feet since it was installed in 2022. What's happening is effectively no different from throttling. And since the pods are a feature you pay for, we're therefore paying for throttled service. Which is bad, and should be complained about!

I will share updates here if I actually receive notification of a fix from Bell support, as they've promised.

Also would encourage all customers experiencing this to raise the issue with Bell if you have the time.

[Vanadiel]

An important factor is how the pod is connected with the homehub. Wired will provide the best results. Wireless will change pending many factors.

[Neowaldrich]

I am currently experiencing the exact same issue. 3Gbs internet, can go 500/600mbs on 5Ghz and 1200mbs on 6ghz. When I connect the pod (around 5m from the hub) I can't go over 200mbs. Hope they fix this soon. Otherwise I will return the pods because they are worthless at these ridiculous speeds.