Slow internet is very much a first-world problem, every time we’re faced with the dreaded buffer circle something inside us wants to unleash fury upon the world. However, there are some simple steps you can take to boost internet speeds.
When we’re faced with regular outages, downtime and frequent connection issues, we usually seek to upgrade. That’s the obvious answer anyway, though it isn’t the most convenient as the whole process can be drawn out, especially if you aren’t near the end of your current contract.
Luckily, there are a number of things you can try to boost internet speeds, and sometimes even enhance your broadband connection without upgrading.
1. Test Your Connection Before Trying to Boost Internet Speeds
The first step should be to conduct a broadband speed test and see how it fares in comparison to the speeds you were promised upon package agreement. Optimising your internet speed is possible but under no circumstance can you get it to run faster than what you are paying for.
You should have a speed estimate that was given to you when you first signed up. Run through a couple of tests to get an average of your broadband’s performance. After a few tests, you should be able to compare the data.
If the results are roughly the same then there aren’t many options from here on out, upgrading may be the only option if you want faster broadband. If there is a significant difference in the test results and the estimated amount then here are a few pointers to help the connection.
2. Reducing Interference Can Boost Internet Speeds
At home, most of us are connected to the internet via a WiFi router that is hooked up to a phone socket. It is fairly common to experience interference which can affect broadband speeds. For the most effective results, make sure that your router is connected to a micro-filter - a tool used to reduce interference - and that it is plugged into a master socket.
Try to ensure that the connected phone cable is as short as it can possibly be, the longer a connection has to travel the more it is affected.
3. Calculate Your Router Position
The position of your router can have a large impact on the functionality of your internet connection. Try experimenting with different locations in your house and running internet speed tests in each location to identify the most effective areas.
If your signal struggles to cover your whole house, you can position the router in the areas where it is most important to have a stable connection.
4. Disconnect Unused Devices From The WiFi
If you have a number of devices connected to the internet your WiFi speed will start to suffer. If you have a good fibre or cable connection, you may think that you’re not prone to slow speeds, but if you have devices like tablets and smartphones connected to the internet in the background.
