One of the most common calls we receive from homeowners across the Gold Coast starts with:
"My NBN internet is really slow. Can you come and have a look?"
Sometimes the internet is slow throughout the entire house. Other times it's only slow in certain rooms, on certain devices, or at certain times of the day.
The surprising thing is that in many cases, there is nothing wrong with the NBN connection itself.
Often the issue is somewhere inside the home.
Recently we visited a customer in Mermaid Beach Gold Coast who was paying for a high-speed NBN plan but was struggling to stream Netflix in the evenings. The customer assumed the internet provider was the problem. After a few simple tests, we discovered the NBN connection was actually performing well. The issue turned out to be the home's Wi-Fi setup.
In their scenario we installed a WiFi Mesh system with access points in the middle and each end of the home. We also installed a dedicated data point directly from the modem to his gaming PC, guaranteeing the fastest and most reliable connection where he needed it most.
Situations like this are far more common than most people realise.
"If you need help, call our Gold Coast Internet Team on 0452 525 615"
Is It Really Your NBN?
The first thing we try to determine is whether the issue is actually with the NBN connection or something else.
Many people use the term "NBN" to describe any internet problem, but there are several parts of a home internet system:
- The NBN connection itself
- The modem or router
- The home's Wi-Fi coverage
- Connected devices
- Data cabling
- Network settings
A problem with any of these can make your internet feel slow.
Earlier this week a customer in the Pimpama, Coomera area had fantastic internet speed connected to his home but by the time it reached his living room the WiFi signal had diminished significantly. To solve their internet problem we ran an ethernet cable from their garage into the living room and relocated their modem to this location, effectively providing much better Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home.
Wi-Fi Problems Often Look Like NBN Problems
One of the biggest misconceptions we see is people blaming the NBN when the real issue is poor Wi-Fi coverage.
For example, a speed test beside the modem might show excellent speeds, but a bedroom at the other end of the house may struggle to load a web page.
In these situations, upgrading your internet plan won't solve the problem.
The issue is simply that the Wi-Fi signal isn't reaching where it's needed.
This is especially common in:
- Large homes
- Double-storey homes
- Homes with concrete walls
- Properties with garages at one end of the house
- Homes with outdoor entertaining areas
I actually solved an internet signal issue for a customer in Oxenford this afternoon.
They had extended their home and relocated their NBN connection and modem into the new extension. The problem was that the extension had been built against what was originally an external brick wall, making it difficult for the Wi-Fi signal to reach the rest of the house.
We relocated the modem back into the original part of the home, ran data cabling into the extension, and installed a Wi-Fi access point to provide reliable coverage throughout the property.
Phone us for an onsite Gold Coast technician internet assessment on 0452 525 615
Router Placement Makes A Huge Difference
Another common issue is modem and router placement.
When the NBN was installed, the equipment was often placed in the easiest location for the installer rather than the best location for Wi-Fi coverage.
Unfortunately, this often means the modem ends up:
- In the garage
- Inside a cupboard
- Behind a television
- In a corner of the home
The further your Wi-Fi signal has to travel through walls and floors, the weaker it becomes.
Sometimes simply relocating the modem to a more central location can dramatically improve internet performance throughout the home.
Older Routers Can Slow Everything Down
We still see plenty of homes using routers that are many years old.
While they may still technically work, older equipment often struggles to keep up with modern internet demands.
Today's homes typically have:
- Smart TVs
- Streaming devices
- Security cameras
- Mobile phones
- Tablets
- Laptops
- Gaming consoles
All connected at the same time.
An older router can quickly become overwhelmed.
Last month we visited a customer in Helensvale who was still using the router supplied when their NBN was first connected many years ago. They didn't realise the "free" routers aren't that great at transmitting a strong WiFi signal and so after replacing the router and optimising the Wi-Fi setup, internet speeds improved significantly throughout the home.
Looking for expert help in your home? Call us today on 0452 525 615
Too Many Devices Competing For Bandwidth
Another issue we frequently encounter is multiple devices using the internet simultaneously.
You might have:
- Someone streaming Netflix
- Kids gaming online
- A cloud backup running in the background
- Security cameras uploading footage
- Several phones connected to Wi-Fi
Individually these activities aren't a problem, but together they can place significant demand on the network.
Sometimes The NBN Connection Really Is The Problem
While many internet issues originate inside the home, there are occasions where the NBN connection itself is at fault.
We occasionally find:
- Damaged cabling
- Water ingress
- Faulty NBN equipment
- Line faults
- Connection dropouts
When this happens, we can usually identify the issue quickly and advise whether a fault should be lodged with your internet provider.
Before You Upgrade Your Internet Plan
Many people assume that moving from a 50 Mbps plan to a 100 Mbps plan will solve their internet issues.
Sometimes it does.
However, if the problem is poor Wi-Fi coverage, router placement, old equipment, or network configuration, paying for a faster plan may make very little difference.
Before spending more money every month, it's worth identifying the real cause of the problem.
How We Help
At Internet Magic, we help homeowners identify exactly why their internet is running slowly.
Depending on the situation, the solution may involve:
- Relocating your modem
- Improving Wi-Fi coverage
- Installing a mesh Wi-Fi system
- Installing data cabling
- Hard-wiring important devices
- Replacing outdated networking equipment
- Troubleshooting NBN faults
Most importantly, we explain your options in plain English and provide a fixed quote before any work begins.
If you'd like us to assess your home internet setup, call 0452 525 615 to arrange an in-home visit.
Need Help With Slow NBN Speeds?
If your internet feels slow, unreliable, or inconsistent, we'd be happy to help.
We service homes throughout the Gold Coast and can quickly determine whether the issue is your NBN connection, your Wi-Fi setup, or something else entirely.
Give us a call today and let's get your internet running the way it should.
We service all suburbs across the Gold Coast, including Ormeau, Runaway Bay, Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Palm Beach and surrounding areas.