FAQ
TL;DR: In Vectra’s 150 Mb/s tier, Wi-Fi on 2.4 GHz often tops out at 20-30 Mb/s [Elektroda, sebap, post #17698946]; “connect anything you can with a cable” [Elektroda, sebap, post #17699023] Bridge-mode the ISP modem, add a dual-band router, and use 5 GHz for speeds near 150 Mb/s.
Why it matters: Correct gear and layout can double—or decuple—your real-world throughput in a crowded block.
Quick Facts
• Technicolor CGA2121: 3×3 802.11ac, up to 1.3 Gb/s PHY, DOCSIS 3.0 24×8 [Technicolor, 2018].
• Cisco EPC3928S: 2×2 802.11n, 300 Mb/s PHY, DOCSIS 3.0 8×4 [Cisco, 2017].
• Ubee EVW32B: 2×2 802.11ac, 867 Mb/s PHY, DOCSIS 3.0 16×4 [Ubee, 2018].
• Legal EIRP Poland: 100 mW @2.4 GHz, 200 mW @5 GHz (indoor) [UKE, 2020].
• 802.11ac 5 GHz average wall loss: ~6 dB per brick wall [IEEE, 2019].
What really limits Wi-Fi speed on Vectra’s supplied modems?
Speed falls when many neighbours share 2.4 GHz, leaving only 20–30 Mb/s usable [Elektroda, sebap, post #17698946] Small antenna arrays (2×2) and DOCSIS channel bonding also cap throughput; Cisco EPC3928S offers only 8×4 channels, so its backhaul peaks near 440 Mb/s shared [Cisco, 2017].
Cisco EPC3928S vs Technicolor CGA2121 vs Ubee EVW32B—what should I choose?
Pick Technicolor CGA2121: it has 24×8 DOCSIS channels and 3×3 802.11ac, letting 150 Mb/s flow with headroom [Technicolor, 2018]. Cisco’s 8×4 DOCSIS and 802.11n radios bottleneck; Ubee’s 16×4 DOCSIS is better than Cisco but offers lower Wi-Fi MIMO (2×2) [Ubee, 2018].
Can I buy and register my own cable modem on Vectra?
No. Vectra leases modems; user-supplied cable modems are not provisioned on their CMTS [Elektroda, Adam Walko, #17697716].
Should I switch the ISP modem to bridge mode and add my own router?
Yes. Bridge mode disables double NAT and lets your router handle Wi-Fi. Users report smoother 5 GHz and easier tuning after the change [Elektroda, sebap, post #17698069]
Which routers can actually deliver the full 150 Mb/s over Wi-Fi?
Any dual-band 802.11ac Wave 1/2 router with at least 2×2 MU-MIMO—e.g., Asus RT-AC66U, TP-Link Archer C6—will push 200-300 Mb/s at close range [SmallNetBuilder, 2021].
Does 5 GHz always increase speed in a crowded block?
Usually. 5 GHz has 19 non-overlapping 20 MHz channels, so interference is lower. Expect 100-200 Mb/s at one-room distance, falling sharply after two brick walls (~12 dB loss) [IEEE, 2019].
How can I check if my phone or laptop supports 5 GHz?
- Open Wi-Fi settings. 2. Look for networks ending “-5G”. 3. If none appear, install WiFi Analyzer; supported bands are listed under device capabilities [Elektroda, sebap, post #17698224]
Will adding a second access point help in a two-level 80 m² flat?
Yes. Place the ISP modem on level 1, run Ethernet upstairs, and add a second router in AP mode. Tests show 30-50 % stronger signal and up to 3× speed gain on the upper floor [Elektroda, sebap, post #17699190]
3-step How-To: set up a second router as an AP
- Disable DHCP on the second router.
- Assign it a fixed LAN IP in the modem’s subnet.
- Connect modem-LAN to router-LAN via Ethernet; configure identical SSID/password if you want seamless roaming.
Which router settings are worth tweaking for extra throughput?
Set channel width to 80 MHz on 5 GHz, pick the least-used channel via Analyzer, and enable beamforming. Gains reach 15–25 % in controlled tests [CIOReview, 2020].
Is 150 Mb/s noticeably faster than 50 Mb/s for daily use?
Streaming, browsing, and video calls need under 25 Mb/s; above that, latency matters more than raw speed [FCC, 2022]. Many users feel no difference beyond 100 Mb/s [Elektroda, Adam Walko, #17696157].
Edge-case: what if thick walls block 5 GHz entirely?
Fallback to 2.4 GHz or use MoCA/Ethernet-over-powerline. In concrete pre-1970 buildings, 5 GHz signal can drop 90 % after three walls [BuildingWiFi, 2021].
Is a used Asus RT-AC66U for 200 PLN a good buy?
Yes; new units cost ~350 PLN and the AC66U’s 3×3 radios yield 300-400 Mb/s TCP throughput [Elektroda, sebap, post #17731390]
What are the legal Wi-Fi power limits in Poland?
Indoor EIRP caps are 100 mW at 2.4 GHz and 200 mW at 5 GHz DFS channels per UKE regulation §4.1 [UKE, 2020].