A router's claimed maximum data rate (such as 3000 Mbps for a regular wireless router ) is the highest negotiated Wi-Fi data rate of the router. The actual Wi-Fi data rate on your wireless device is affected by a number of other factors such as your broadband bandwidth, the highest data rate supported by your wireless device, the highest data rate supported by the Ethernet port, and environmental factors that affect the Wi-Fi signal strength.

1. If your broadband bandwidth is 100 Mbps, the data rate on your device cannot exceed 100 Mbps. Similarly, if your broadband bandwidth is 20 Mbps, the data rate on your device cannot exceed 20 Mbps.
2. The maximum negotiated speed of the WAN port on the router will also affect the Wi-Fi data rate. If you are using a Fast Ethernet router, the maximum negotiated speed of its WAN port is 100 Mbps. This means that any device connected to the router will not be able to enjoy a data rate higher than 100 Mbps.
3. The capabilities of your wireless device, number of antennas, and its Wi-Fi protocol support will also affect its maximum data rate. For example, if your wireless device only has one antenna, it will only be able to achieve a maximum data rate of 150 Mbps when connected to your router's 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. If your device has two antennas, it will be able to achieve a maximum data rate of 300 Mbps when connected to your router's 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Some wireless devices do not support 5 GHz Wi-Fi and therefore cannot connect to your router's 5 GHz Wi-Fi network.
4. Your router's Wi-Fi is also subject to interference from nearby Wi-Fi signals and other signals on a similar frequency band which could reduce the data rate on your wireless device. Most homes are exposed to interference from nearby Wi-Fi signals.

In summary, your router's claimed Wi-Fi data rate is the highest theoretical data rate. However, actual data rates for wireless devices connected to the Wi-Fi network are affected by a number of other factors, which is why the two values are not the same.

 

• For a 1200 Mbps (theoretical) wireless router, the maximum negotiated rate of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is 300 Mbps, and that of 5 GHz Wi-Fi is 867 Mbps. The sum of the two rates is 1167 Mbps, which is close to the advertised 1200 Mbps.
• For a 1300 Mbps (theoretical) wireless router, the maximum negotiated rate of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is 400 Mbps, and that of 5 GHz Wi-Fi is 867 Mbps. The sum of the two rates is 1267 Mbps, which is close to the advertised 1300 Mbps.
• For a 1500 Mbps (theoretical) wireless router, the maximum negotiated rate of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is 300 Mbps, and that of 5 GHz Wi-Fi is 1201 Mbps. The sum of the two rates is 1501 Mbps, which is close to the advertised 1500 Mbps.
• For a 3000 Mbps (theoretical) wireless router, the maximum negotiated rate of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is 574 Mbps, and that of 5 GHz Wi-Fi is 2402 Mbps. The sum of the two rates is 2976 Mbps, which is close to the advertised 3000 Mbps.
• For a 3600 Mbps (theoretical) wireless router, the maximum negotiated rate of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is 688 Mbps, and that of 5 GHz Wi-Fi is 2882 Mbps. The sum of the two rates is 3570 Mbps, which is close to the advertised 3600 Mbps.
• For a 6600 Mbps (theoretical) wireless router, the maximum negotiated rate of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi is 574 Mbps, that of 5 GHz low band Wi-Fi is 1201 Mbps, and that of 5 GHz high band Wi-Fi is 4804 Mbps. The sum of the three rates is 6579 Mbps, which is close to the advertised 6600 Mbps.