Your internet connection likely achieves close to full speed when directly connected (via Ethernet) but falls short over Wi-Fi due to inherent limitations in wireless technology. Below, we will explain why this happens and outline the key limitations of Wi-Fi.

Why Wi-Fi is Slower Than a Direct Connection

1. Theoretical vs. Actual Speeds:
   • Ethernet cables provide a dedicated, stable connection with minimal interference, delivering speeds close to what your internet service provider (ISP) advertises (e.g., 1 Gbps).
   • Wi-Fi, however, is subject to multiple factors that reduce actual throughput compared to its theoretical maximum (e.g., Wi-Fi 6’s theoretical max of 9.6 Gbps is rarely achieved in real-world conditions).
2. Shared Medium:
   • Wi-Fi operates in a shared radio frequency spectrum (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz for newer standards). Other devices, neighboring networks, or even non-Wi-Fi devices (like microwaves or Bluetooth gadgets) can cause interference, reducing performance.
   • Ethernet is a dedicated link, unaffected by other devices.
3. Signal Degradation:
   • Wi-Fi signals weaken with distance, walls, floors, and other obstacles, leading to lower speeds or dropped connections.
   • Ethernet maintains consistent performance regardless of physical barriers (within cable length limits, typically 100 meters for Cat5e/Cat6).
4. Overhead and Protocol Inefficiencies:
   • Wi-Fi involves additional overhead from encryption (e.g., WPA3), error correction, and managing multiple devices, which reduces effective bandwidth.
   • Ethernet has minimal overhead, allowing more of the connection’s capacity to be used for data transfer.
5. Device Limitations:
   • Your device’s Wi-Fi adapter may not support the latest standards (e.g., Wi-Fi 6 or 6E) or may have a lower maximum bandwidth than your router.
   • Ethernet ports on modern devices typically support at least 1 Gbps, aligning with most ISP speeds.

Key Limitations of Wi-Fi

1. Interference and Congestion:
   • The 2.4 GHz band is crowded due to its use by many devices (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IoT gadgets, etc.), leading to congestion and slower speeds.
   • The 5 GHz band offers more channels and less interference but has shorter range.
   • The 6 GHz band (Wi-Fi 6E/7) is less congested but requires compatible hardware and has even shorter range.
2. Limited Bandwidth per Device:
   • Wi-Fi routers divide available bandwidth among connected devices. If multiple devices are streaming, gaming, or downloading, each gets a smaller share.
   • Ethernet provides the full bandwidth to the connected device (up to the cable and port’s limit).
3. Latency and Jitter:
   • Wi-Fi typically has higher latency (ping) and jitter (variability in latency) than Ethernet due to signal interference and retransmissions caused by packet loss.
   • This impacts real-time applications like gaming or video calls.
4. Range and Signal Attenuation:
   • Wi-Fi performance drops significantly beyond 10-30 meters (depending on the band and environment) or through obstacles like concrete walls.
   • Ethernet maintains full speed up to 100 meters with standard cables.
5. Hardware and Configuration:
   • Older routers or devices may not support modern Wi-Fi standards (e.g., Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6/6E/7), capping speeds.
   • Misconfigured settings (e.g., using a congested channel or suboptimal bandwidth settings like 20 MHz instead of 80/160 MHz) can limit performance.
6. Half-Duplex Nature:
   • Most Wi-Fi connections are half-duplex, meaning devices can’t send and receive data simultaneously, reducing efficiency.
   • Ethernet is full-duplex, allowing simultaneous sending and receiving for better performance.

How to Improve Wi-Fi Speeds

To get closer to your ISP’s advertised speeds over Wi-Fi:

• Upgrade Hardware: Use a Wi-Fi 6 or 6E router and compatible devices to leverage higher speeds and efficiency.
• Optimize Placement: Place your router centrally, elevated, and away from walls or interference sources (e.g., microwaves).
• Use 5 GHz or 6 GHz Bands: These offer higher speeds than 2.4 GHz, though you may need to be closer to the router.
• Reduce Congestion: Select a less crowded Wi-Fi channel using tools like Wi-Fi analyzers, and limit connected devices.
• Enable Wider Channels: Use 80 MHz or 160 MHz channel widths on 5 GHz/6 GHz for faster speeds (if supported).
• Mesh Networks: For larger homes, use a mesh Wi-Fi system to extend coverage without sacrificing speed.
• Wired Backhaul: If possible, connect mesh nodes or extenders via Ethernet to maintain high speeds.
• Update Firmware: Ensure your router’s firmware is up to date for performance and security improvements.

Example Scenario

If your connection to 186networks provides 1 Gbps, an Ethernet connection might deliver 900-950 Mbps in practice due to minimal overhead. Over Wi-Fi, even with a Wi-Fi 6 router, you might see 300-600 Mbps due to interference, distance, or device limitations. Upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E or optimizing your setup could push Wi-Fi speeds closer to 700-800 Mbps in ideal conditions.

In summary, Wi-Fi’s susceptibility to interference, signal degradation, and shared bandwidth makes it less reliable than Ethernet for achieving full internet speeds. By understanding and mitigating these limitations, you can significantly improve your Wi-Fi performance. If you have specific details about your setup (e.g., router model, ISP speed, or environment), I can provide more tailored advice.