Why is there a huge difference between wireless and wired connection?

[ralv585]

I've done a test where my laptop is sitting next to my router, i'm not in another room far away, its right next it.

The difference between wireless and wired speed is so huge, why is that?

I'll understand if its a couple of meg, but wired i'm getting 48mbps, wireless sitting right next to it is only 8mbps.

What's happening to all the download speed goodness?

 

[ralv585]

I've got no idea what kit i'm using either!

I'm in Korea at the moment, staying at my gf's apartment, and it's some router that i have no idea about.

Everyone in Korea leaves their connection unsecured for some reason, i can use the neighbours connection no problem.

I'm pretty sure that there may be one person sharing the connection, but that cannot lead to it being so slow. For instance i did the test at 3am, i doubt they're still awake downloading. They could be, but everything is on demand here, you can watch Avatar on your TV right now instead of going to the cinema.

I've tried to talk to her to put on a password, but that failed as it messed up her router haha, so i'm now using someone elses internet.

If only i could change the language to english, i could find out what channel it's on and maybe change it, and definitely put a password on it.