Broadband speed
explained

Speed test FAQs

• 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 the most out of my broadband speed?

  The ultimate way to make the most of your speed is by using a CAT5e (or above) Ethernet cable to connect devices directly to the router or Wi-Fi extender. Many choose to do this with TVs or desktop computers, and instead connect smaller devices over Wi-Fi – but bear in mind the speed may vary when connecting over Wi-Fi!

• How do I know what speed I need?

  The more megabits of speed, the more there is to share between your devices. How many devices do you have? Count them up… phones, tablets, laptops, TVs, games consoles, smart home technology and security cameras. All of these will be sharing your speeds, so make sure you select a package that will be able to handle all of your tech! If you’re not sure, get in touch. Our friendly team of broadband experts are on hand to help tailor a package to suit your needs.

• What speeds are guaranteed?

  We guarantee that the full advertised speed of your package is delivered to your router (our point of termination). No matter your package, the full line speed is sent directly to the router in your premises.

  However, the speed your devices receive over Wi-Fi – can vary. That’s because Wi-Fi is influenced by many external and environmental factors that are outside of our control, such as:

  • The layout and size of your home
  • The distance between your device and the router
  • Walls, insulation and materials that block or weaken signal
  • The capability of your device (older devices often can’t use full speeds)
  • The Wi-Fi standard your device supports (e.g. 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz)
  • Other devices in use at the same time sharing bandwidth

  For example, older laptops, tablets, and smartphones may not support higher speeds – and gaming consoles often connect only to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, which is slower and more prone to interference.

• 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.

• What if I’m not seeing my full speeds?

  First, check your set-up using a wired speed test using the correct test site and Grain speed test server. This removes Wi-Fi from the equation and gives you a true measure of what’s being delivered.

  If the wired speed is correct, the issue is likely with Wi-Fi performance or the device itself. If the wired speed is incorrect, reach out and our Tech team will take a further look into your set-up.

  We’re happy to help troubleshoot and provide guidance – and in some cases, recommend equipment upgrades or adjustments to improve performance.

• 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.

• What factors can affect speed results?

  • Wi-Fi testing instead of Ethernet testing
  • Device limitations
  • Router performance/Capability (e.g. Using your own router)
  • Cable quality
  • Background usage
  • VPNs or security software
• What information should I provide if I contact Grain for help about speeds?

  Please include:

  • Whether your test was wired or Wi-Fi
  • Device used and operating system
  • Router make/model (if in bridge mode)
  • Any VPN, firewall or antivirus software
  • Screenshots of speed tests (with server shown)
  • Router location

  This helps us resolve issues quickly.
• Can I do a speed test over Wi-Fi?

  You can run a speed test over Wi-Fi – but we wouldn’t recommend relying on it to tell the full story.

  Wi-Fi is super handy, but it can also be a bit temperamental. Things like walls, distance from the router, and even your microwave can mess with your signal. While some modern devices might show impressive Wi-Fi burst speeds, those results can fluctuate and don’t always reflect the true performance of your broadband line.

  For the most accurate, consistent results, plug directly into your router with an Ethernet cable. A wired connection removes the quirks of Wi-Fi and gives you a clear picture of your actual line speed – no interference, no guesswork.