The same office. Very different speeds.
An office using Google Nest Wi-Fi was seeing speeds range from around 30 Mbps to 400 Mbps depending on where someone was working. Before proposing new equipment, we analyzed the existing setup.
The first improvement came from relocating the mesh points. In the same locations that had been getting around 30 Mbps, speeds improved to around 300 Mbps.
That mattered: the existing equipment could perform much better with a different arrangement. Buying a replacement was not the first step.
Then came a wired upgrade
On a later visit, we installed a UniFi Wi-Fi system with wired backhaul. That means the access points connect back to the network by cable, rather than relying on a wireless connection between mesh points.
After the installation, the client observed speeds of up to 800 Mbps. That later figure is a reported result from the upgraded system; it is not a controlled comparison at every original test location.
These are results from one project, not promised speeds for another office. Devices, location, internet service and network conditions all affect performance.
What this means when you’re deciding what to buy
The useful question is not simply “Which router is faster?” It is “What is limiting the connection in the places where we work?”
For this office, changing the placement made a substantial difference before any new hardware was installed. The later installation was a separate decision and a separate piece of work.
If your team is considering a new mesh kit or business Wi-Fi system, a review of the current setup can help distinguish a problem worth fixing from a reason to redesign the network.
What to share with a Wi-Fi specialist
You do not need a technical diagnosis. A few practical observations make a useful starting point:
- Which rooms or desks have problems—and which work well?
- What happens: slow downloads, interrupted calls or devices disconnecting?
- Is the problem constant, or does it appear at particular times?
- What equipment do you have, and where is it located?
- What changes have already been tried?
If you have speed-test results, include where they were taken. A number without its location does not tell the whole story, as this project illustrates.
Start with the setup you have
We help businesses understand their Wi-Fi problems, improve existing systems and plan installations when an upgrade makes sense. There is no requirement to replace your equipment or sign an ongoing IT contract for project work.
Learn more about office Wi-Fi troubleshooting and network installation, explore our UniFi installation services, or see the project summary and other examples of our work.
Already using UniFi? We can help with slow UniFi Wi-Fi and access point tuning or troubleshoot persistent UniFi network problems.