How to run a
broadband speed test

FAQs

• Why does my Wi-Fi feel slower in some rooms?

  Walls, floors, and large objects can block signals. Have you considered using a Wi-Fi extender for better coverage? Find out more.

• How do I run a speed test?

  The speed advertised will be sent to your router and will be visible when you run a wired speed test. Find out how.

  Important to remember:

  • When running a speed test via an Ethernet cable, it’s important that the Ethernet cable is a cat6 or above, as lower ratings may limit the speed provided to the device. Cat5 cables can only transmit a maximum of 100Mbps, while cat6 can transmit up to 10Gbps.
  • Please ensure the Grain server is selected.
  • Speeds can vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to, how many devices you have connected, whether they are performing background activities, like anti-virus software or a VPN. It is therefore worth carrying out several tests, and taking the average of all of the results.

  Gigafast speeds:

  When you sign up to our Gigafast package, we send 1Gbps to your router, however as some of the data is used to carry communications up and down the fibre-optic cable, you are realistically likely to see closer to speeds of 900Mbps on a speed test.

  Please note: 900Mbps speed is not achievable by a single device over Wi-Fi, for this speed a wired connection is required.

• What can impact my wireless speeds?

  Wi-Fi does not currently provide the same speed and reliability as a hard-wired connection via Ethernet cable. This is because Wi-Fi can be limited and single devices cannot always utilise the full speed, particularly with higher speed packages.

  There are several factors that can affect the performance of your Wi-Fi connection. These include:

  • Number of devices – When multiple devices are connected to the network, the available Wi-Fi speeds are divided among them. So, the more devices connected, the slower the speeds may be for each device.
  • Distance from the router – As you move farther away from the router, the Wi-Fi signal weakens. Think of it like a radio playing music near the router, the volume decreases as you move around the property. Similarly, the Wi-Fi signal becomes weaker the further you are from the router.
  • Device capabilities – Older devices may not support the latest Wi-Fi standards and technologies, which can impact the speeds you experience. Upgrading to a newer device, with better Wi-Fi capabilities, can improve your connection speed.
  • Interference on the Wi-Fi channel – Wi-Fi operates on specific channels, and other devices in your vicinity (such as neighbours’ routers, printers, or streaming devices like Amazon Firesticks) may also be broadcasting on the same channel. This interference can degrade your wi-fi performance.
  • Device battery level – Some devices have power-saving features that restrict certain components’ operations to conserve battery life. This can affect the speed and performance of your Wi-Fi connection. Ensuring your device is adequately charged or connected to a power source may help optimise the Wi-Fi performance.

  By considering these factors and taking appropriate steps, such as reducing the number of connected devices, repositioning the router, upgrading devices, selecting less crowded Wi-Fi channels, and maintaining sufficient battery levels, you can improve your overall Wi-Fi experience.

• How do I get my guaranteed speeds?

  To get the full package speed on your device, it needs to be:

  • Hardwired to the router via an Ethernet cable (Cat5e or Cat6 or above)
  • Device capable of supporting those speeds (I.e. a Gigabit Ethernet port and up-to-date hardware)

  The speed advertised will be sent to your router and will be visible when you run a wired speed test. The speed you actually receive on any device, or over wi-fi, is based on a number of different factors and can vary greatly.

  Depending on the package you choose, you can experience between 150Mbps – 2000Mbps, which will be visible when you run a wired speed test with an Ethernet cable.

  Important to remember:

  • When running a speed test via an ethernet cable, it’s important that the ethernet cable is Cat5e or above (1Gbps capable), as lower ratings may limit the speed provided to the device. Cat5 cables can only transmit a maximum of 100Mbps, while cat6 can transmit up to 10Gbps.
  • Please ensure the Grain server is selected.
  • Speeds can vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to, how many devices you have connected, whether they are performing background activities, like anti-virus software or a VPN. It is therefore worth carrying out several tests, and taking the average of all of the results.

  Gigafast speeds:

  When you sign up to one of our Gigafast packages, we send 1 or 2 Gbps to your router (depending on your package), however as some of the data is used to carry communications up and down the fibre-optic cable, you are realistically likely to see closer to speeds of 900Mbps or 1900Mbps on a speed test (again, depending on your package).

  Please note: Maximum listed speed is not achievable by a single device over Wi-Fi, for this speed a wired connection is required.

• How do I know I’m on the right Wi-Fi frequency?

  One travels further, and the other faster. Make sure your devices are on the right frequency for their needs. Our service transmits both 2.4GHz (further at lower speeds) and 5GHz (closer range but faster speeds).

  Each device might have a preferred frequency, and you can check on the settings. We recommend putting your laptops, tablets and mobiles on 5GHz.

• What is a CAT or Ethernet cable?

  Short for “Category” cable, a CAT5/6 or above is an Ethernet cable, used for carrying data, which will allow you to hardwire your device directly into your router and achieve your Full Fibre broadband speeds. The ultimate way to see your Grain Full Fibre speeds perform to the best of their ability is to use a CAT5e or above cable. Please note that a CAT5 cable only has data transfer speeds up to 100Mbps. The next step up is a CAT5e cable, the “e” representing enhanced, which will achieve speeds of up to 1000Mb, while a CAT6 can achieve speeds of up to 10,000Mb. If you are getting wired speed test results of up to 100Mb but are on a faster package it is worth checking the cable you are using isn’t a CAT5 cable.

• Can VPNs, antivirus or firewalls affect speed?

  Yes. These services often reduce throughput depending on provider quality, server location and load. Corporate security software may also limit performance. If safe, test with these disabled or on another device.

• How accurate are broadband speed tests?

  Broadband speed tests give a good indication of your connection speed, but results can vary depending on your device, Wi-Fi connection, network usage and the server used for testing. For the most accurate result, connect directly to your router using Ethernet.

• What is a VPN?

  A VPN (or Virtual Private Network) is a service that creates a secure connection between the internet and your device.

  People typically use VPNs to improve their privacy, access work networks remotely or browse more securely on public Wi-Fi.

• Why is my broadband speed slower than my package speed?

  Many broadband networks experience higher demand in the evening, when more people are streaming, gaming, video calling and downloading at the same time. On some network types, this can lead to slower speeds or reduced performance during peak hours.

  Grain uses a dedicated fibre connection for every property, so your broadband isn’t shared with neighbouring homes in the same way. This helps deliver more consistent speeds and reduces the risk of congestion during busy periods.

  If you’re seeing slower speeds in the evening, it’s also worth checking for other common causes such as Wi-Fi interference, background downloads, VPNs or older devices, as these can affect performance regardless of your broadband connection.