Why Your Business WiFi Feels Slow (Even on Fast NBN)

If you’ve ever stood in the back office waving your laptop in the air and saying, “The WiFi’s useless in here”… don’t worry — you’re not alone. Most people blame the NBN, but in most cases the real problem is actually the WiFi network inside your building.

This guide explains what’s really happening, how WiFi and NBN differ, and what WTCO recommends using our standard business hardware including the Netcomm NF18 and NF20.

Stronger Business WiFi

Whole-of-site coverage designed around your actual floorplan, not just a single modem in the corner.

Gigabit-Ready Hardware

Business routers, switches and cabling that can actually use 250/100, 500/200 and 1000/400 plans.

On-Site WiFi & Network Audit

WTCO comes to you, finds the bottlenecks and gives you a clear upgrade path that fits your business.

WiFi vs NBN – What’s Really Going On?

NBN delivers your connection to the premises. WiFi delivers it around your premises. They are not the same — and this is where most frustration starts.

Your NBN speed may be excellent, but if your WiFi is weak, poorly placed or overloaded, the experience still feels slow.

Think of NBN as the water main. Your WiFi is the plumbing inside the building. If your internal plumbing is restricted, upgrading the water main won’t fix the pressure.

Five Common Reasons Your Business WiFi Feels Slow

1. The Modem Is in the Wrong Place

WiFi hates walls, cool rooms, metal shelving, fridges, electrical panels, and certain types of glass. If your NF18/NF20 is hidden away, it cannot cover the entire site properly.

2. One Router Is Trying to Cover Too Much Area

The NF18/NF20 are strong business routers — but no single router can cover:

Multiple offices
Workshops or sheds
Retail floors
Storage areas
Cool rooms or kitchen spaces

This is where additional access points come in.

3. Devices Are Using the Wrong WiFi Band

2.4GHz – slower but longer distance
5GHz – fast but shorter range

Devices far away cling to 2.4GHz and slow down.

4. Too Many Devices on One Access Point

Even a small business may have 20–60+ devices online:

Phones
Laptops
Printers
EFTPOS
POS systems
Tablets
Security cameras

WiFi is a single-lane road. More traffic = slower speeds.

5. Your NBN Plan Doesn’t Match Your Usage

If your business uses cloud systems, uploads files, or runs video calls, entry-level NBN plans won’t keep up.

Business-grade speeds like 100/40, 250/100, 500/200 and 1000/400 are designed for modern business workloads.

Are You Ready for Business Gigabit Speeds?

The NBN now offers business fibre speeds including 250/100, 500/200, and full Gigabit 1000/400.

But your internal network needs to support those speeds too.

You Might Need Hardware Upgrades

WTCO commonly upgrades:

Gigabit routers
Gigabit switches
Cat6 cabling
Additional wired access points

WTCO’s On-Site Audit Makes This Easy

We check WiFi coverage, switch speeds, cabling, router capacity and device load — then give you a clear path forward.

What WTCO Recommends for Reliable Business WiFi

1. NF18 or NF20 as the Core Router

Stable, proven and business-ready for most office environments.

2. WTCO-Managed WiFi Access Points

For full-site coverage, additional APs or mesh nodes may be required.

3. Cable Your Critical Equipment

VoIP phones, POS, PCs and APs run best on ethernet.

4. Pick the Right NBN Plan

We ensure your NBN plan matches your business demands.

5. Start with an On-Site WiFi & Network Audit

We identify bottlenecks and give you a roadmap for upgrades.

Quick WiFi Tips You Can Do Today

Move the modem to an open area.
Use 5GHz when close to the router.
Restart the router monthly.
Avoid cheap WiFi boosters.
Remove or update old devices.

When to Call WTCO

You should get WTCO involved if you have:

WiFi dead spots
EFTPOS dropouts
Laggy video calls
Slow cloud performance
A plan upgrade but no speed improvement

Our on-site audit identifies the issue and gives you a clear plan forward. Reliable WiFi starts with WTCO.

Fix Slow WiFi