Consumers opt for wi-fi despite slower speeds

Wi-fi performance is almost a third less than wired speeds...

Wi-fi reduces broadband speeds by an average of 30 per cent, according to a new report, although it seems consumers are not put off by the loss of performance.

A study by network measurement firm Epitiro found that while wi-fi consistently recorded lower speeds than wired broadband connections, many consumers are continuing to opt for it.

Wi-fi is slower than wired connections but most consumers are not put off by the loss of performancePhoto: Shutterstock

The most popular consumer activities, web browsing and emailing, are not affected enough by the differences in speed for consumers to notice, according to the report.

However, wi-fi increased latency by between 15 and 20 per cent, which is likely to cause problems for anyone trying to download or stream data from the internet. So consumers who use the internet for online gaming, video downloading or VoIP services such as Skype are likely to experience significant decreases in the speed and quality of their connection when using wi-fi.

The report found that wi-fi speeds can be degraded by physical barriers such as walls, doors and furniture.

Other devices that operate on the same frequency range as wi-fi routers may also cause interference, including baby monitors, television remote controls, microwave ovens, garage door openers and cordless phones.

JP Curley, CTO at Epitiro, advised that consumers experiencing problems with wi-fi should "take steps to improve their home environment or connect directly via wired Ethernet".