Discover why your 10Gbps broadband is only showing 1Gbps with Singtel
Part of the Tech Decoded guide series by Singtel, helping Singaporeans make smarter home tech decisions.
Tech Decoded is an editorial guide series that transforms Singtel from a connectivity provider into a trusted technology guide—helping Singaporeans understand, troubleshoot and make confident technology decisions at every stage of their connected life.
Most people don't have a broadband problem. They have a home network problem.
If your 10Gbps broadband is only showing around 900Mbps to 1Gbps, your broadband plan probably isn't the problem.
In most cases, one part of your home network, such as your personal device, router, Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi connection, is limiting your speed. The good news? Most of these issues are easy to identify and often easy to fix without replacing your broadband plan.
In Singapore, this is especially common in newer HDB flats and condominiums, where fibre broadband is paired with a mix of older laptops, routers and Wi-Fi devices. Even on a 10Gbps broadband plan, your speed will be limited by the slowest part of your home network.
Quick diagnosis
Not sure why you're only seeing around 1Gbps? Start here.
If... | The most likely cause |
|---|---|
| Every device stops at around 1Gbps | Your router, LAN port or device may only support speeds of up to 1Gbps. |
| Wi-Fi is much slower than Ethernet | Distance, walls, device limits or connection to the 2.4GHz band may be reducing speed. Move closer to the router or use 5GHz or 6GHz where supported. |
| Only one computer is slow | That device may not support speeds above 1Gbps. |
| You are testing over Wi-Fi | Use a wired Ethernet connection for a more accurate broadband speed test. |
| You have checked everything above | Restart your ONT or ONR (Optical Network Router/Terminal/Unit), Wi-Fi router and mesh units. Check for unusual indicator lights and contact your broadband provider if the issue continues. |
Not sure? Before upgrading your broadband plan or buying new equipment, work through the checks in this guide. In many cases, the bottleneck is somewhere in your home network, not your broadband connection.
Once you have confirmed that your devices and network equipment can support faster speeds, you can explore Singtel fibre broadband plans to find a suitable option for your home.
Why this happens
A 10Gbps broadband plan doesn't automatically mean every device can download at 10Gbps.
Think of your home network like a motorway.
Your broadband plan is a ten-lane expressway. But if your laptop only has a one-lane entrance, traffic can only move at one lane's speed.
The same principle applies to home networking. Your actual speed depends on the slowest part of the journey.
That's why it's common for two devices in the same Singapore home to record very different speeds. A newer desktop connected by Ethernet might achieve multi-gigabit speeds, while an older laptop on Wi-Fi could still top out at around 1Gbps.
Singtel Tip 💡
A speed test only measures one part of your home network. To understand what's limiting your connection, look at the whole setup—from your ONR and router to your Ethernet cables and the device you're testing on.
The five most common bottlenecks
1. Your device only supports Gigabit Ethernet
Many laptops and desktops still come with a standard 1Gbps Ethernet port.
Even on a 10Gbps plan, they'll never go beyond roughly 940Mbps.
2. You're connected to the wrong LAN port
Many Optical Network Routers (ONRs) include one 10Gbps port alongside several standard Gigabit ports.
If your device is plugged into the wrong one, speeds will be capped automatically.
3. You're testing over Wi-Fi
Even Wi-Fi 7 won't consistently deliver 10Gbps to a single device in real-world conditions.
Walls, distance and other devices all affect wireless performance.
For the most accurate speed test, connect directly using Ethernet.
4. Your Ethernet cable is older than you think
Older Cat5e cables may only support Gigabit speeds depending on cable quality and distance.
For multi-gigabit broadband, Cat6A and above is generally the better choice for most homes.
5. Your storage is slowing downloads
A speed test measures your connection.
Downloading a large file also depends on how quickly your computer can write data to storage.
Older hard drives often become the bottleneck.
Before you contact your broadband provider:
Run through these quick checks first.
Check | Why it matters | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Router | Some routers only have one 10Gbps LAN port | Make sure you are connected to the 10Gbps port |
| Device | Older devices may only support 1Gbps | Check if your laptop or desktop supports 2.5GbE or 10GbE |
| Ethernet cable | Older cables can limit speed | Use Cat6A or better for multi-gigabit speeds |
| Speed test | Wi-Fi results can vary | Test using a wired Ethernet connection |
| Wi-Fi | Distance and walls affect performance | Test close to the router before comparing speeds |
You can also restart your network equipment:
Switch off your Optical Network Terminal or Router, WiFi router and mesh units.
Wait approximately two minutes.
Turn the equipment back on.
Wait for the indicator lights to become stable.
Connect one device and run the speed test again.
For additional support, follow the steps to troubleshoot your Singtel router.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my 10Gbps broadband show only around 900Mbps?
Your device, Ethernet adapter, router port or another network component may support a maximum speed of only 1Gbps. Due to network overhead, a Gigabit Ethernet speed test commonly records slightly below 1Gbps.
Can Wi-Fi reach 10Gbps?
Wi-Fi 7 significantly improves wireless speeds, but real-world performance depends on your device, distance from the router and your home's layout.
Do I need a 10Gb network card or adapter?
Only if you want to experience speeds above 1Gbps on a wired device.
Many everyday devices are still limited to 1Gbps or 2.5Gbps.
Should I buy Cat8 cables?
For most homes, no.
Cat6A already supports 10Gbps over typical residential distances.
Why is WiFi slower than Ethernet?
WiFi is affected by distance, walls, interference, router placement and the wireless capability of your device. Ethernet provides a more direct and consistent connection.
The bottom line
A faster broadband plan is only one part of a good home network.
Your router, LAN port, Ethernet cable, device and WiFi setup all affect the speeds you experience. Understanding where the bottleneck is can save you time, money and unnecessary equipment upgrades.
If your 10Gbps broadband is only showing around 1Gbps, start by checking the network adapter on your device, the router port and the Ethernet cable being used.
Whether you are setting up a new home, upgrading to multi-gigabit broadband or troubleshooting slow speeds, Singtel’s broadband specialists can help you get more from your home network.
View Singtel broadband plans or explore our broadband support resources.
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Not sure what's right for your home?
Home networking doesn't have to be complicated.
If you need help choosing the right setup, troubleshooting a connection or getting the most from your broadband, Singtel's team is here to help, with online guides, technical support and friendly advice when you need it.
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