Ethernet vs Wi-Fi for paid IPTV: measured stability comparison with real data

STBsupport

STBsupport

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I ran both connection types for two weeks each on my paid streaming service and logged every buffering event. Here are the actual numbers.
 
Empirical data is exactly what this debate needs. Most people argue from preference rather than measurement.
 
Android TV box. Ethernet: 150Mbps measured at device. Wi-Fi 5: 85Mbps average at device location.
 
Buffering events per day over 14 days:
Ethernet: 0.2 average (3 total over 14 days, all under 2 seconds)
Wi-Fi 5: 2.4 average (34 total over 14 days, ranging from 2-15 seconds)
 
That is an 12:1 ratio. More dramatic than I expected even though I knew Ethernet would be better.
 
The buffering events during Wi-Fi testing were clustered in the evenings when neighbors' Wi-Fi networks add interference.
 
Network interference during peak hours is the key variable. Wi-Fi performance degrades as nearby networks increase activity.
 
Yes. Ethernet channel switching averaged 1.8 seconds. Wi-Fi averaged 3.1 seconds. The difference is perceptible during browsing.
 
The initial load latency difference is because the stream must authenticate with the CDN on each channel change. Ethernet's lower round-trip time speeds this up.
 
For anyone who cannot run Ethernet cable, a MoCA adapter over coaxial cable is the next best option. Performance close to Ethernet.
 
Wi-Fi 6E would likely perform much closer to Ethernet in my test environment due to the uncongested 6GHz band. Not everyone has Wi-Fi 6E yet.
 
The data clearly supports Ethernet as the preferred connection for paid streaming. The practical question is whether it is feasible to run cable in your specific home.
 
Even if you cannot make Ethernet permanent, testing with Ethernet first confirms whether your buffering is network-related. Useful diagnostic step.
 
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