WiFi vs Fibre - Why Speed May Differ

Updated 31 March 20252 min read

It’s common to run a speed test and wonder why your results seem lower than expected, especially when using WiFi. The truth is: your fibre line is fast, but your WiFi performance can vary.

Here’s why there’s a difference.

Fibre = Your Line Speed

When you sign up for a fibre package, the speed you choose (e.g. 50Mbps, 100Mbps, etc.) is the line speed delivered from the Fibre Network Operator (FNO) to your home. This is what’s coming in through the ONT (Optical Network Terminal).

It’s a wired connection; fast, stable, and not affected by physical surroundings.

WiFi = Your In-Home Wireless Connection

WiFi is what your router uses to wirelessly spread that fibre connection around your home.

Your WiFi speed can be affected by:

• Distance from the router

• Walls and interference (from appliances, baby monitors, neighbours' routers)

• Number of devices connected

• Router age or type (older routers may not support higher speeds)

• Bandwidth-hungry apps (like 4K streaming or large downloads)

So even if your fibre line supports 100Mbps, your WiFi device in the next room might only get 30-50Mbps, depending on the setup.

How to Get the Best Speeds

• Use a wired Ethernet connection for speed tests or important devices like gaming consoles or work PCs.

• Place your router in a central location, off the floor, and away from metal or thick walls.

• Limit connected devices during speed tests.

• Upgrade to mesh WiFi or add WiFi extenders if you have a large home or dead zones.

Quick Comparison

In Short

Your fibre line delivers the speed you pay for, but your WiFi setup determines how much of that speed reaches your devices. To get the best out of your connection, make sure your WiFi setup is optimised for your home.