Networking

Things You Can Do to Speed Up Your Broadband Connection

seaport-airport-connectivityBroadband internet is getting faster and more reliable. Service providers are offering affordable packages with great speeds. Unfortunately, not all customers can enjoy the same level of connection quality and speed. Even worse, there are so many factors that can decrease the quality of your internet connection, from your distance to the ISP’s hub to cable quality.

In this article, however, we are going to focus on the factors you can actually control or change, mainly those between the router and your device. These are some of the things you can do to speed up your broadband connection.

Reposition Your Router and Access Point

Where you place your router or access point matters. The further away your access point is, the weaker its Wi-Fi signal will be. Weak Wi-Fi signal can seriously hamper your broadband internet connection.

If you have a rather complicated layout or if you need to cover multiple floors, you can either switch to a more powerful access point – mainly those with three antennas and the latest Wi-Fi 802.11 AC standard – or use hubs to help boost Wi-Fi coverage. Hubs or repeaters are easier to find these days, especially with products from Google, Amazon and other top names becoming more affordable.

Lastly, compare wireless and wired speed to see if access point is still the cause of your internet connection problem. You can connect to the router directly using any standard LAN cable and do a speed test. Compare the result with the speed test result when you use Wi-Fi connection. A substantial difference in speed means you need a better access point.

Check Your Device

Next, it is time to take a closer look at your devices. The devices you use to connect to the internet can also cause slowdowns. An old browser that hasn’t been updated in a while, for instance, often causes web pages to take much longer to load. You will also have problems playing back videos and enjoying other contents with older browsers.

The same can be said for your antivirus and firewall. Not all security suites and software are created equal. Some can actually slow your computer and internet connection down by a whopping 50%. Stick to known firewall and antivirus apps and consider opting for a router or access point with built-in firewall for a better performance.

Get Help

The ISP wants you to enjoy the best internet connection speed and quality possible; they’re doing this not only because they’re obliged to by the latest regulations, but also because happy customers mean fewer complaints and lower overhead costs. You can actually ask for an inspection and have a technician from the ISP check your home network for you.

You can find PlusNet contact details or phone numbers of other providers easily now that there are online directories that document them neatly. Schedule a visit and you’ll be able to get the help you need in no time.

Do you have other tips for speeding up broadband internet connection? What are your experiences with the service you use? We’d love to hear your stories, so be sure to share them in the comments below.

If you have any questions, please ask below!