Why is my NBN so slow in Canberra?
Is it the NBN or your equipment? How to check and fix it yourself.
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Living in Canberra or Queanbeyan? You probably love the lifestyle, but you might hate your internet connection.
At Tech Fixer, we receive calls daily about NBN dropouts from Gungahlin, Belconnen, Tuggeranong, and everywhere in between. While the infrastructure is partly to blame, often the solution is simpler than you think.
The Context: Fibre to the Node (FTTN)
Many established suburbs in Canberra (like Kambah, Dunlop, Harrison, and Isabella Plains) rely on FTTN (Fibre to the Node). This means high-speed fibre runs to a green box on the street, but the last leg to your house uses old copper wires.
This copper network is sensitive to noise, moisture, and distance. However, it’s not always the copper’s fault.
The Hardware Bottleneck: Weak Modems & WiFi
Before you blame the NBN, look at your hardware. A major cause of “slow internet” in Canberra is actually poor WiFi coverage or low-quality ISP modems.
- Cheap Modems: The free modem sent by your ISP often has a cheap chipset that struggles to maintain a stable sync on FTTN lines, leading to dropouts.
- WiFi Dead Zones: Large homes with multiple stories or thick walls block WiFi signals. If your phone shows 1 bar of WiFi in the bedroom, your speed will be slow regardless of how fast your NBN is.
DIY: What You Can Try Yourself
Before spending money on a technician or new hardware, perform this isolation test to find the root cause:
- Find the Primary Socket: Locate the phone socket closest to the street/front door. Plug your modem directly into this socket.
- Disconnect Other Devices: Unplug any phones, fax machines, or splitters from all other telephone sockets in the house. These can cause interference.
- Power Cycle: Turn your modem off for 60 seconds, then on again.
- The “Next to Modem” Test: Stand right next to the modem with your phone or laptop. Run a speed test at speedtest.net.
- The “Bedroom” Test: Walk to the room where you usually have issues. Run the speed test again.
Interpreting Your Results
Scenario A: It’s slow even next to the modem.
This indicates a line fault or a problem with your ISP. You need to contact your Internet Service Provider to lodge a fault.
Scenario B: It’s fast near the modem, but slow in other rooms.
This is a WiFi issue! Your NBN is fine, but your router isn’t strong enough to cover your house. We can fix this.
How Tech Fixer Can Help
If you are in Scenario B (WiFi issues) or you suspect your modem is dropping out due to poor quality hardware, we provide professional onsite solutions.
- Mesh WiFi Installation: We install multi-unit Mesh systems (like Eero, TP-Link Deco, or Netgear Orbi) that blanket your entire home in fast, stable WiFi.
- High-Performance Modems: We replace cheap ISP modems with high-end devices designed to hold a stable connection on FTTN copper lines.
- Onsite Configuration: We set up everything, connect your printers and TVs, and demonstrate the speed improvement before we leave.
Need Better WiFi?
Stop struggling with dead zones. Call Tech Fixer to upgrade your home network today.
We Fix Internet Issues Across Canberra
Gungahlin
Gungahlin, Mitchell, Harrison, Franklin, Palmerston, Crace, Nicholls, Casey, Ngunnawal, Taylor, Moncrieff, Throsby, Ford, Bonner, Amaroo
Belconnen
Belconnen, Bruce, Aranda, Cook, Hawker, Page, Scullin, Weetangera, Macquarie, Florey, Latham, Melba, Spence, Evatt, McKellar, Giralang, Kaleen
Central & South
North: City, Braddon, Dickson, Lyneham, O’Connor, Reid, Campbell.
South: Barton, Kingston, Griffith, Fyshwick, Narrabundah, Red Hill.
Woden & Queanbeyan
Phillip, Mawson, Pearce, Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley.
NSW: Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Karabar, Googong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a new modem fix my slow NBN?
Often, yes. Standard ISP modems are cost-effective but struggle with line noise. A high-quality third-party modem with a better chipset can maintain a more stable connection and higher speeds on FTTN lines.
What is Mesh WiFi?
Mesh WiFi uses multiple units placed around your house to create a single, seamless, and strong WiFi network. It eliminates dead zones in bedrooms or upstairs areas where a single router cannot reach.
Do you fix internal wall wiring?
No, we do not perform cabling work inside walls. If our diagnostic determines your issue is definitely the internal wiring, we will advise you to contact a registered cabler. However, we can rule out your modem and WiFi first.