1.5MB wireless download limit

The 2010 MBPs can support 802.11 a/b/g/n. Regarding the MBP by itself the only thing that would affect speed is your type of connection unless there is a hardware problem. (Max spec speeds are a=54Mbps, b=11Mbps, g=54Mbps, n=150 Mbps.)

Check how your MBP is connecting to your router. Then also check your actual speed. Option-click the wireless icon in the top menu strip on your desktop, look at the PHY Mode and transmit rate).

Your actual speed is determined by the type of connection and your signal strength which is directly affected by distance, the router's radio power & any obstructions between your MBP and the router. Signal strength is especially important, as things as simple as a cabinet, window or wall between the router and your MBP can drastically reduce the signal strength and hence the speed.

Also, your router appears to be a DSL router. What is your ISP's service speed? In my area, Verizon DSL maxes out at only 768kbps, which is actually quite slow by today's standards but can support a single video feed.

The router's wireless support is limited to b, g or b/g. You should check how you have the wireless set up in the router. If it's set up for b only, that could explain part of your issue.

PS. If it were me, I'd consider replacing the router with a newer model that support 802.11n.

Babyboi wrote:

I noticed whenever I am streaming or downloading files, my download limit is 1.5 megabytes. Speedtest.net says I get 12 Mbps. (I am aware that it is 12 megabits and not megabytes.)

Is the download limit caused the UVERSE 3801-HGV router, 2010 MBP wirless technology, or the plan from my ISP?

Well, doing a little simple math, you see that 1.5MBps = 12 Mbps. (8 bits in a byte, so 8x1.5=12). It sure looks like your download limit is set by the speed package you have purchased form your ISP. TO be honest, most people with a 12Mbps service really only tend to get about 1.2MBps download speeds due to packet overhead, etc, so if you are really gettign 1.5, then you have an exceptional quality line...

BTW, with UVerse, you can't change your router, it's required to be the one provided by the ISP in order for your service to work. Also, the 3801 isn't the best router out there, but it also isn't the worst. The fact that you have the 3801 tells me that you have High Speed Internet plus at least TV service (and maybe VOIP telephone service too). You only get the 3801 if you have TV service through UVserse. If you want faster wifi (which currently is still slightly more than 4x your internet speed) you can buy your own WIFI router and hook it into your home network to get the 802.11n speeds in your home network.

12 Megabits is One point Five MagaBYTEs. There are 8bits to a Byte. 12 / 8 = 1.5

my PHY is 802.11g, transmit rate is 54

That's as good as you can get on 802.11g. Means your internet speed is limited by your ISP service.

I can buy a second router with wireless N, hook it up to the 3801, to increase my home wireless transfers but not faster internet speeds, right?

Yes, that's correct - faster on your internal LAN but not any faster internet speed. Connect the second router to one of the 10/100 ports on your 3801 and set up the second router to act as a bridge (meaning, turn off the DNS service in the second router so it passes through the LAN IP addresses that your 3801 provides to your LAN). After it's working, I'd go into the 3801 and turn off its radio so only your second router is providing wireless service. This avoids channel interference between the two wireless access points.

You dont turn off the DNS service, you turn off the DHCP server in the second router and connect from one of first routers LAN port to one of the second routers LAN port and not the WAN/Internet port of the second router.