{"id":17873,"date":"2023-10-03T15:43:25","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T05:43:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/?p=17873"},"modified":"2025-03-03T15:11:02","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T04:11:02","slug":"7-things-that-can-slow-your-internet-speed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/7-things-that-can-slow-your-internet-speed\/","title":{"rendered":"7 reasons why your internet is&nbsp;slow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"is-style-lead\">Many Australian households now have multiple web-enabled devices, which means internet speeds have never been more important. If you\u2019re stuck with slow internet at home, or want to make sure your connection will be working after moving house, there are a number of things to keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you find yourself wondering, &#8220;Why is my internet so slow? there can be a number of causes. Things like outdated hardware, distance from the router, or interference from neighbouring devices can all contribute to sluggish internet speeds. Improve your internet speed and enhance your online experience by troubleshooting these issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What internet speed do I need?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With many of us working from home more, as well as streaming shows and gaming in our downtime \u2013 internet speed is often a significant factor when searching for a provider and choosing a plan. Let&#8217;s take it back to basics. Why is internet speed important? Speed, or \u2018bandwidth\u2019, is expressed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet\/what-are-mbps-and-how-many-do-you-need\/\">Megabits per second<\/a>, or Mbps. It determines how quickly data can be transmitted from the internet to your devices. To help work out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbnco.com.au\/blog\/connected-homes\/how-much-speed-do-you-need\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">what speed you might need<\/a> at home, here&#8217;s the bandwidth some everyday tasks require:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Skype HD video call: 1.5Mbps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>General web browsing: 3Mbps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High Definition (720p) video streaming: 5Mbps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4K video streaming: 25Mbps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What NBN\u2122 download speeds are available?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Plans on the National Broadband Network (nbn\u2122) are available at download speeds of 12Mbps, 25Mbps, 50Mbps, 100Mbps, 250Mbps* and 1000Mbps*. If you have multiple people using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet\/\">your connection<\/a> simultaneously, engaging in bandwidth-intensive activities, such as streaming, gaming or video conferencing, you\u2019ll need a plan with higher bandwidth to accommodate everyone&#8217;s needs. So, it&#8217;s important to <a href=\"https:\/\/online.originbroadband.com.au\/custom\/origin\/broadband\/orb\/step\/1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">choose a plan<\/a> that suits your needs and the size of your household.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By understanding your household&#8217;s internet usage patterns and the speed needed for different activities, you can select a plan that provides sufficient bandwidth for smooth and uninterrupted online experiences. Additionally, remember that factors like the number of connected devices and the type of online activities performed can influence internet speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1209925563-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17874\" style=\"width:879px;height:586px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1209925563-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1209925563-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1209925563-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1209925563-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1209925563-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1209925563-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">If you&#8217;re an avid online gamer, and love to stream, you might need a plan with higher speeds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is my internet speed so slow?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ve pulled together seven significant things that might be contributing to the slow speeds at your place \u2013 plus some tips on how to troubleshoot them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Connection type<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take it right back. Your internet speed depends largely on the type of connection you have. In Australia, there are seven types of nbn\u2122 connection types available: &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fibre to the node \u2013 FTTN<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fibre to the curb \u2013 FTTC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fibre to the building\/basement \u2013 FTTB<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fibre to the premise \u2013 FTTP<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hybrid Fibre-coaxial \u2013 HFC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fixed Wireless<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Satellite<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There are lots of different technologies used and that means different speeds. If you\u2019re not sure what kind of <em>nbn<\/em>\u2122 connection you have at your place, check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbnco.com.au\/connect-home-or-business\/check-your-address\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">nbn\u2122 address search<\/a> to find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the nbn\u2122 hasn\u2019t rolled out in your area yet, there may be other alternative connection types available to you such as Opticomm (Fibre, VDSL, HFC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Your plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The speed of plan you choose from your internet service provider is the single most important factor affecting overall internet speed. Remember, when choosing an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet\/nbn\/\">Origin nbn\u2122 plan<\/a>, you have the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet\/why-origin-internet\/\">choice of plans<\/a> capable of achieving speeds from 25Mbps through to 1000Mbps*. Choosing a plan that suits your needs and household size is crucial for optimal internet speed.&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet\/\">Origin Internet<\/a> offers fast, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet\/\">reliable internet<\/a> and, for added peace of mind, there\u2019s also our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet\/?gad=1\">Origin next day promise<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Your equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The speed of your modem\/router plays a significant role in achieving faster internet speeds. Ensure your modem\/router is capable of achieving the desired speed. Most devices support either 2.4GHz for broader coverage or 5GHz for higher speed coverage over a shorter distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. WiFi issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Is your router <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com.au\/internet-congestion\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">slowing you down<\/a>? While the convenience of Wi-Fi has seen its popularity grow over the last 15 years, wired connections \u2013 when your computer is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet\/broadband\/getting-connected\/\">connected<\/a> to your modem with a physical cable \u2013 generally remain faster. If you\u2019re connecting to the internet using Wi-Fi, here are some reasons why you might be experiencing speed issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Router Location:<\/strong> Router location is an important choice that makes a big difference. Things to consider are the distance from your devices, the router\u2019s height from the ground, and its proximity to dense materials like concrete and metal that can block Wi-Fi signals. For best results we recommend putting your router in the location where internet is used most frequently, above ground level, and away from walls or obstructions.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Interference:<\/strong> Even though Wi-Fi is usually on a different frequency than most devices in your home, there\u2019s still potential for those devices to cause interference, resulting in slower speeds. Some devices that might cause interference include microwaves, Bluetooth devices and even Christmas lights. You can track down the culprit by switching devices off to see if they affect your internet performance.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Neighbours:<\/strong>&nbsp;Similarly, areas with a large amount of Wi-Fi networks, such as an apartment building, may suffer from poor signal strength because of conflicting frequencies. Wi-Fi routers have several channels that can transmit at different frequencies \u2013 if you\u2019ve got a slow connection caused by a neighbour\u2019s router using the same channel, changing your router to another frequency can help. To do this, you\u2019ll need to connect to the router\u2019s admin tool from your computer \u2013 your router\u2019s instruction manual will have instructions on how to do this.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Copper telephone lines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A weak point of an nbn\u2122 connection is when there\u2019s copper cable involved. As a signal travels through copper cable it weakens, so in general, the longer this distance, the more your connection speed drops. Copper cable issues generally affect FTTC, FTTB and FTTN connections more commonly. Currently FTTP and some HFC connections can support higher speeds than those with copper.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Multiple devices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When using multiple devices via wifi this will impact the speed you get at each device.&nbsp; This will be split out across the number of devices that are in use. Say for example you have a 25Mbps plan, and there are 5 devices using wifi in your household, this means that effectively they\u2019ll each only be able to achieve (roughly) a speed of 5Mbps per device. This is why selecting the right plan for your household is so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Network congestion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When everyone\u2019s online at the same time, the internet can sometimes struggle to keep up with the demand. Modern networks are designed to handle a high volume of connections, but you might still experience reduced speed during peak hours of internet usage \u2013 we\u2019re looking at you, Netflix-loving neighbours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Network congestion\u2019s generally most common in the evening when more people in your area are at home and online. It\u2019s the same issue closer to home in large households when multiple people are using different devices on the one internet connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, improvements to our internet infrastructure is helping reduce this issue. According to data published by nbn\u2122 Co, the average fixed-line nbn\u2122 subscriber\u2019s now experiencing, on average, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbnco.com.au\/corporate-information\/about-nbn-co\/updates\/dashboard-may-2021\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">13 minutes<\/a> of bandwidth congestion per week, down from a sizeable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbnco.com.au\/content\/dam\/nbnco2\/2020\/documents\/how-we-are-tracking\/nbn-november-2020-monthly-progress-report.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">30 minutes<\/a> in November 2020. Network congestion is defined as when 95% or more of available bandwidth is being used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here at Origin Internet, we know that slow evening speeds are no good. Once we see that an area\u2019s reaching capacity we stop selling until we can increase it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are you eligible for a $0 fibre upgrade?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Say hello to faster speeds and more capacity at no cost to you! The nbn\u2122 is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet\/fibre-upgrade\/\">rolling out a program<\/a> to help connect more Aussie homes to fibre technology. In a nutshell, this means replacing your existing technology with faster fibre. If you have a current eligible <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/internet-terminology-definitions\/\">connection type<\/a> with either <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/internet-terminology-definitions\/\">Fibre to the Node (FTTN)<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/internet-terminology-definitions\/\">Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)<\/a>, and you\u2019re on a higher speed plan, you\u2019ll have the chance to upgrade to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) for your home internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Offer available to eligible FTTC and FTTN customers on higher speed plans in eligible areas only. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet\/fibre-upgrade\/\">T&amp;Cs apply<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/internet.html\">Check out our internet plans<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/291\/13409-Canstar-Awards-2025-Blog-Footer-1-1024x224.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22830\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/291\/13409-Canstar-Awards-2025-Blog-Footer-1-1024x224.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/291\/13409-Canstar-Awards-2025-Blog-Footer-1-300x66.png 300w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/291\/13409-Canstar-Awards-2025-Blog-Footer-1-150x33.png 150w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/291\/13409-Canstar-Awards-2025-Blog-Footer-1-768x168.png 768w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/291\/13409-Canstar-Awards-2025-Blog-Footer-1-1536x336.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/291\/13409-Canstar-Awards-2025-Blog-Footer-1.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dealing with slow internet? We&#8217;ve pulled together a guide on the 7 major things that can affect your internet speed \u2013 and some tips for troubleshooting&nbsp;them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":17886,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[105],"tags":[120],"oe_author":[],"class_list":["post-17873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-at-home","tag-internet"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17873"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22835,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17873\/revisions\/22835"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17873"},{"taxonomy":"oe_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oe_author?post=17873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}