Hathway Speed Test

This diagnostic utility validates the real-time throughput of your Hathway Broadband connection. Hathway utilizes a hybrid network infrastructure comprising both DOCSIS 3.0 (Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial) and modern GPON (Fiber-to-the-Home). Your speed test results and stability will vary significantly depending on which of these two technologies is deployed in your building.

Understanding Your Speed Metrics

When evaluating your connection quality, focus on these three performance vectors:

Download Throughput: On Fiber plans (e.g., 100 Mbps to 300 Mbps), speeds should be consistent. However, on DOCSIS (Cable) connections, bandwidth is often shared among neighbors. This means you may observe a noticeable speed drop during "Prime Time" (8 PM - 11 PM) when network traffic peaks.

Upload Throughput: This is the easiest way to identify your technology type. Fiber plans are typically Symmetrical (Upload = Download). DOCSIS plans are almost always Asymmetrical (e.g., 100 Mbps Download but only 10 Mbps Upload). If your upload speed is low, it is a limitation of the cable technology, not a fault.

Latency (Ping): Latency on Hathway Fiber is generally low (<20ms). On DOCSIS connections, latency can fluctuate between 30-50ms due to the nature of coaxial signal conversion.

What Results Should You Expect?

The "Wireless Bottleneck" Reality

Many Hathway users utilize the default routers provided at installation, which often struggle with high speeds. Benchmarks include:

Download Speed: ~90% of plan capacity (via 5GHz Wi-Fi)

Upload Speed: ~90% (Fiber) or ~10% (DOCSIS) of plan capacity

Stability: Fiber connections should be continuous. Coaxial connections may experience intermittent drops if the cable splitter signal levels are unbalanced.

If you pay for a 200 Mbps plan but your speed test caps at exactly 90-95 Mbps, you are likely using a router or laptop with a "Fast Ethernet" (100 Mbps) port, which physically limits the bandwidth.

Diagnosing Connectivity Drops

Before raising a support ticket, investigate these common premise-level faults:

MAC Address Binding: Hathway strictly binds your internet session to your router's physical MAC address. If you buy a new router or connect your laptop directly to the LAN cable, internet access will be blocked immediately until you reset the MAC via the support portal.

FUP Limits: Hathway enforces Fair Usage Policies on most plans. If your speed suddenly drops to exactly 2 Mbps or 5 Mbps, you have likely exhausted your monthly high-speed data quota.

Router Reset: On DOCSIS modems, the "Upstream" and "Downstream" lights must be solid. If they are blinking, the modem is failing to lock onto the Hathway signal.

Hathway Technical Configuration Data

How to Get an Accurate Test

Wireless testing is unreliable for verifying broadband speeds due to interference from walls and electronic devices.

To validate the actual bandwidth supplied by the ISP, connect a Cat6 LAN cable directly from the Hathway modem to a laptop. This isolates the connection from Wi-Fi inefficiencies. If this wired test meets the plan speed, your line is healthy.

When to Call Support

Escalate the issue to Hathway support if you observe these specific failures:

LOS / Sync Light: A blinking red "LOS" light (Fiber) or blinking "Online" light (DOCSIS) indicates a physical connection failure.

"Reset MAC" Required: You have changed your router and now have no internet access.

Speed Mismatch: If wired download speeds are consistently below 60% of your plan limit during off-peak hours.

You can manage your account and request MAC resets directly via the Hathway Broadband App or by calling 1800-419-3114.