In the modern world, having internet in the home is almost as important as hot water or electricity. Most of us have come to depend on the internet and whether it’s for work, gaming, streaming TV shows or listening to music, it’s hard to imagine not having home broadband. Aside from having a stable connection, it’s also important to have fast speeds that make it possible to view sites with no loading times and enjoy media without constant lagging or buffering. In this article, we’ll share some tips for how to improve your home internet speeds so you can enjoy work or entertainment without any issues.
Having the Right Connection
When you connect to the internet, your device is communicating with a global network of satellites that beam information all over the planet. It’s quite incredible how the internet works, and it means that if you want to get setup, you need to have the right connection. A lot of people are still connected by way of copper wiring, but fibre optic cable is the gold standard.
Fibre optics transmit data using light rather than electricity, which means they can send a much larger amount of information in the same space of time. This makes them ideal for internet speeds, where you’ll need to upload and download a large amount of data for daily use. A growing number of internet service providers now offer fibre optic connections, though it’s not always available in every area.
Make sure you check with your service provider to see if fibre optic internet is possible. If it is, you should definitely opt for a fibre connection as it will significantly improve the speed of your connection. You should also make sure your devices are linked to your router using cables rather than wireless connections. This ensures a more stable connection and faster speeds.
Setting Up Your Router
Once your internet is connected, you also need to ensure your router is set up correctly to optimise your internet speeds. Make sure it’s in a position in your home where the signals can reach your devices clearly. You’ll want to connect your PC to a router using the ethernet cable, but it’s important to ensure optimal WiFi connection too for your mobile devices. If you put it in a cupboard, the signals won’t be as strong.
For wireless connections, it’s also a good idea to select the right channel for your signals. While some routers only offer a 2.4 GHz channel, most will allow you to switch to 5 GHz. This allows for greater bandwidth, meaning more data is transferred per second and the connection speed is faster and more stable. Newer devices should always be able to run on 5 GHz, although if you have an older device you might find it won’t connect.
Improving Network Security
You should improve your network security to prevent possible cyberattacks and issues with hackers or criminals accessing your devices and data. Not only does this protect you from security threats, it’s also a way to boost your internet speeds. If you’re using an unsecured or poorly secured network, you might find that other devices are using your internet, resulting in lower speeds.
Secure your router using an encrypted WPA connection. Make sure you use a strong password with at least twelve characters and change the router name to help secure the device against threats. You can also set your router to prioritise certain devices, ensuring that your internet speeds don’t slow down at crucial times even if other users are on the network.
