Getting faster home Internet speeds can be exciting. We're here to share helpful tips for you to get the best WiFi experience possible.
WiFi relies on wireless radio frequency to send and receive data. WiFi speeds can vary device to device due to their own capabilities and environmental factors unique to each household. There are plenty of ways you can easily optimize your WiFi experience.
Note: Information about products not manufactured by Shaw, or independent websites not controlled by Shaw, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Shaw assumes no responsibility with regard to the use of third-party websites or products.
Placing your modem
The location of your modem in your home plays a significant role in the overall quality of your WiFi connection.
For best WiFi coverage, your modem should be placed in a central location. This works especially well if you have an open floor plan house. Alternatively, placing your modem central to where the Internet is most often used is a good choice as well.
It’s also worth considering the key elements below when placing your modem: Ensure you’re placing your modem
✔ Out in the open
✔ Raised off the ground
Avoid placing your modem
✖ In basements
✖ In cabinets
✖ Behind other objects
To avoid interference, try to keep your modem away from
✖ Household appliances
✖ Metal objects
✖ Electrical equipment
Learn more: About: Modem placement and range
Minimizing WiFi interference
WiFi is an amazing innovation that has changed how we stay connected. Although revolutionary, it’s not perfect, and you’d be surprised what can interfere with you having an optimal connection. Interference can prevent your devices from reaching higher speeds over WiFi. Common symptoms of WiFi interference are slow speeds, dead spots, poor video quality, and devices losing connection to your WiFi network.
The source of interference can include physical barriers like walls, ceilings, floors, construction materials and major home electronics & appliances. Fortunately, you can make easy adjustments to optimize your WiFi experience by following some of our best practices. To learn more, see About: WiFi interference.
Understanding speed vs. bandwidth
There’s a lot more to the Internet than just speed. If we think about Internet plans only based on speed, we’re missing half the picture – bandwidth. Also known as, the amount of data that can be transferred in a given moment.
Everything that connects to your Internet uses some of your bandwidth, whether you’re using that device or not. The maximum possible download and upload speed in your Internet plan is shared by all devices connected to your network.
To get the best WiFi experience possible:
- Monitor which devices use your connection in your home and identify which devices consume a high amount of data. Ignite WiFi Gateway (formerly known as Fibre+ Gateway) customers can easily monitor their usage within the Ignite HomeConnect App (formerly known as BlueCurve Home App).
- Turn off devices and apps you’re not actively using to optimize the connection performance of all other devices connected to your network.
Did you know?
With our Rogers Fibre-Powered Network (formerly known as Fibre+ Network), we offer a variety of super-fast Internet packages that are tailored to satisfy your family's Internet needs.
Device capabilities
Your experience can change drastically depending on the type and technical specs of the device you're using - like when it was made, what type of network card is built-in, its processor speed, software and more. For these reasons, it may not be capable of reaching the top speeds offered by your Internet plan. For example, a new iPhone will perform differently than an older laptop. This is true, regardless of whether the device is wired directly to the modem or operating in an ideal WiFi environment.
If you're unsure of your device's speed capabilities, we recommend that you check its specifications online or with the original manufacturer.
Newer devices should be able to handle greater speeds over WiFi, however, older devices may not do as well, even under ideal conditions. For faster speeds, try using an Ethernet connection instead.
Computers
| Year Released | Expected WiFi Speed* |
|---|---|
| 2011-present | 150-500 Mbps |
| 2007-2010 | 75-150 Mbps |
| 2006 & earlier | 25 Mbps |
Phones and Tablets
| Year Released | Expected WiFi Speed* |
|---|---|
| 2011-present | 75-300 Mbps |
| 2007-2010 | 25-75 Mbps |
| 2006 & earlier | 25 Mbps |
* Expected WiFi speed under good conditions with a compatible service plan and router.
Source: Xfinity – Device Speed Charts https://speedtest.xfinity.com/devicespeeds (2021)
Choosing the optimal WiFi band
WiFi operates on two bands – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Each has its own benefits based on the location, distance, and requirements of your devices. A dual band WiFi modem can provide access to both on your home network.
Ensure you're connected to the best applicable WiFi band that your device can support to get the best experience on that specific piece of hardware. The Ignite WiFi Gateway will do that for you automatically by routing your devices to the optimal band using a feature called band steering.
The 2.4 GHz signal:
- is a wider frequency, so it's able to more easily pass-through walls and other obstructions to provide more range
- is an older signal, it isn't able to transmit as much data between devices and thus offers slower speeds
- is vulnerable to interference from other devices in the home, especially at longer range
The 5 GHz signal:
- is a narrower frequency that's not able to pass through objects as well.
- covers less distance than the 2.4 GHz signal, but carries more data, allowing for much faster speeds at close range
- is the band recommended, when available, for the best wireless experience
The 6 GHz signal:
- Allows for much faster speeds at close range than other two bands
- Works best when device has line of sight connectivity to Gateway
Your device's WiFi frequency and the connection type (WiFi standard) can create different speed capabilities and be affected by your modem type. The attainable speeds of your Shaw modem are shown in the chart below and are based on your device's connection type.
To check the connection type (WiFi standard) supported on your personal devices, check the device specifications. This is usually indicated with "g", "n", "ac" or "ax" being included in the WiFi details for the device. For example, "WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax. To learn more about WiFi and the WiFi standards used today, see About: WiFi (Wireless Internet).
Expected Maximum Theoretical Download Speed based on Modem and Device Connection Type
Note: The attainable download speed on your device may be up to 50% of the theoretical speed and dependent on a multitude of variables such as environment, your personal device and your Internet service subscription.
| Modem | Image | WiFi standard | Band/Frequency | Maximum theoretical speed |
| Ignite WiFi Gateway Gen 3 |
|
g/n ax n ac ax ax |
2.4 GHz 2.4 GHz 5 GHz 5 GHz 5 GHz 6 GHz |
36 - 144 Mbps 135 - 1135 Mbps 75 - 300 Mbps 100 - 860 Mbps 140 - 2400 Mbps 140-2400 Mbps |
| Ignite WiFi Gateway Gen 2 |
|
g/n ax n ac ax |
2.4 GHz 2.4 GHz 5 GHz 5 GHz 5 GHz |
36 - 144 Mbps 135 - 1135 Mbps 75 - 300 Mbps 100 - 860 Mbps 140 - 2400 Mbps |
| Ignite WiFi Gateway |
|
g/n n ac |
2.4 GHz 5 GHz 5 GHz |
36 - 108 Mbps 75 - 300 Mbps 100 - 860 Mbps |
| Cisco DPC3848V |
|
g/n n ac |
2.4 GHz 5 GHz 5 GHz |
36 - 108 Mbps 75 - 225 Mbps 100- 645 Mbps |
| Hitron CGNM-2250 |  |
g/n n ac |
2.4 GHz 5 GHz 5 GHz |
36 - 108 Mbps 75 - 225 Mbps 100 - 645 Mbps |
| Arris SBG6782 |  |
g/n n |
2.4 GHz 5 GHz |
36 - 108 Mbps 75 - 225 Mbps |
Note: Information about products not manufactured by Shaw, or independent websites not controlled by Shaw, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Shaw assumes no responsibility with regard to the use of third-party websites or products.
How to remove dust from your Ignite WiFi Gateway
Persistent high temperatures can be very damaging to electronics. If temperatures reach a certain threshold, internal components can be damaged, and shorten the lifespan of your Gateway. You should periodically inspect and remove dust from your Ignite WiFi Gateway to help maintain its performance and reliability.
Learn more: How to Remove Dust from Ignite WiFi Gateway
Extending your WiFi range with Ignite WiFi Pods
Ignite WiFi Pods (Gen 2) (formerly known as Fibre+ WiFi Pods) provide a solution for customers with larger homes, or who are unable to place their modem in a centralized location. Pods help extend the range of WiFi coverage in your home to hard-to-reach areas, or areas with poor WiFi signals - typically farthest from the modem. To learn more, see About: Ignite WiFi Pods.
For the best practices and recommendations on where to place your Pods, please refer to Placing your Pods.