Need Help (possibly) Optimizing Internet Connection

[KingPizza]

We recently switched our internet provider from Xfinity to Ziply Fiber. The way we're getting internet now is completely new to me, coming from using cable ever since upgrading from dial-up back in the 90's. We live in an apartment complex, and only have copper coming to our unit. My understanding is Ziply provides fiber to the network box for our building, and then copper runs to each unit. We use an RJ11 cable from the wall to a modem, which then plugs in to the router with RJ45 Ethernet.

 

We're on the "Gig Fiber" plan, but when the system was initially installed we were only getting around 450Mbps. This is because the speeds are entirely dependent on the length and quality of the copper running to our unit, or so I was told. I did some research and found out using a higher quality RJ11 cable could help, so I bought one on Amazon and hooked it up, and it worked. With the new cable we're now getting around 600Mbps.

 

Now this all has me curious and wondering: If changing the cable can make a difference, are there any other changes I could make to improve speeds? The cable I bought on Amazon is a pretty cheap one, are there companies that make higher quality ones? I checked Cable Matters and it doesn't seem like they have any. Would changing out the RJ11 socket on the wall with something higher quality do anything? What about changing out the modem itself?

 

If anyone has any ideas let me know. I'm prepared for there to be nothing else I can do, but I figured I'd shoot my shot here anyways.

[Falcon1986]

6 hours ago, KingPizza said:

We use an RJ11 cable from the wall to a modem...

As in landline telephone cable?

[perigee]

Can you post a picture of your cable/setup? Or details of your modem and router? Are you carrying out a speed test connected via Ethernet to router?

You may already know, there are different types of fibre connections, the best being FTTP/H (Fibre To The Premises/Home) with fibre all the way into your house. It sounds like you have FTTB (Fibre To The Building), with fibre into the building and copper to each apartment. But -

A RJ11 connection is normally used in A/VDSL setup but that is definitely not gigabit capable.  EDIT: I’ve never heard of Ziply, after researching it sounds like they do in fact use G.Fast in MDU installations. So gigabit capable at short distances.

Edited April 12, 2025 by perigee

[KingPizza]

8 hours ago, Falcon1986 said:

As in landline telephone cable?

Yes. I've upgraded from the flat telephone cable to a more robust "cat5e" RJ11 cable that increased speeds.

[KingPizza]

3 hours ago, perigee said:

Can you post a picture of your cable/setup? Or details of your modem and router? Are you carrying out a speed test connected via Ethernet to router?

You may already know, there are different types of fibre connections, the best being FTTP/H (Fibre To The Premises/Home) with fibre all the way into your house. It sounds like you have FTTB (Fibre To The Building), with fibre into the building and copper to each apartment. But -

A RJ11 connection is normally used in A/VDSL setup but that is definitely not gigabit capable.  EDIT: I’ve never heard of Ziply, after researching it sounds like they do in fact use G.Fast in MDU installations. So gigabit capable at short distances.

When I get home I will look up the model of modem and take some pictures of the ports and connections. To answer your edit, that's exactly what it is. The shorter the copper, the faster the speed.

[perigee]

5 hours ago, KingPizza said:

When I get home I will look up the model of modem and take some pictures of the ports and connections. To answer your edit, that's exactly what it is. The shorter the copper, the faster the speed.

Then maybe 600 Mbps isn’t that bad for G.Fast. Is that over WiFi or Ethernet directly to router ?

 

EDIT: Have you asked your neighbors what sort of speed they are getting? If  they have the same plan of course.

Edited April 12, 2025 by perigee

[KingPizza]

6 hours ago, perigee said:

Then maybe 600 Mbps isn’t that bad for G.Fast. Is that over WiFi or Ethernet directly to router ?

 

EDIT: Have you asked your neighbors what sort of speed they are getting? If  they have the same plan of course.

I'm testing the connection over ethernet.

[KingPizza]

On 4/12/2025 at 11:53 AM, perigee said:

Then maybe 600 Mbps isn’t that bad for G.Fast. Is that over WiFi or Ethernet directly to router ?

 

EDIT: Have you asked your neighbors what sort of speed they are getting? If  they have the same plan of course.

The ones I have talked to all have Xfinity. The Ziply trucks are here often so I know others probably use them though.

[Alex Atkin UK]

On 4/12/2025 at 4:17 AM, KingPizza said:

If anyone has any ideas let me know. I'm prepared for there to be nothing else I can do, but I figured I'd shoot my shot here anyways.

The only thing you can potentially improve is if there are multiple telephone points (which can cause interference with the signal) sharing the same line and you were able to disconnect all but the one you are using for broadband service.