While connectivity has improved dramatically since the early days in the nineties when dial-up connections could take a full ten minutes to download a simple page, there are still significant differences in speeds depending on your location and provider and the package you choose.
If you want to get the most out of your internet service, here are our top tips on making the right choices.
Broadband Speed vs Cost
Cheaper internet prices usually mean a lower broadband speed. Depending on where you live and what you use the internet for, the first decision you need to make is whether you want to pay a little bit more for better speeds.
Broadband speed can depend on a number of factors:
· How far you are from the telephone exchange.
· What time of day you use the internet.
· What you are using it for. For example, gaming uses up more bandwidth than searching holiday sites.
· How many people are using it in your home.
· The quality of the device you are using and how it is set up.
· The type of connection you have – full fibre to the property, fibre to the exchange and a copper line to the property
When suppliers say that they charge X pounds for X Mbps, it doesn’t mean that you will achieve that speed. For the reasons outlined above, it’s often a lot less.
How to Check Your Estimated Speed
Most suppliers now have an app or online tool that will check their estimated speed and give a reasonably accurate reading of what you are receiving or likely to get. If your speed is significantly below what the supplier has promised, you may be able to exit the contract with no penalty. This is set down in the Code of Conduct that most leading broadband suppliers have signed up to.
If this is the case, it gives you the chance to swap supplier and get a better connection.
Ask your Neighbours
If you want to find the best broadband, the first thing to do is ask your neighbours. Find out what supplier they are using and whether they have any problems and what they are paying. Depending on the area you choose, not all suppliers offer the same speed or contention load (speed when multiple users try to access the service at the same time).
Fibre to the Property (FTTP)
The latest technology is the superfast fibre to the property. This is where the fibre optic cable continues from the exchange box to your property itself. The older technology has fibre to the exchange and then copper cable to your property. If your property has the advantage of superfast FTTP be aware that not all providers can supply over FTTP so you might be restricted in who you can use. The Openreach website has a list of all providers who can supply FTTP but not all are guaranteed to supply your area.
Connect Your Desktop with an Ethernet Cable
If you have important work to do on your desktop or laptop it can be tempting to settle for the convenience of connecting through Wi-Fi. It’s much more reliable and you get faster speeds, however, if you attach an ethernet cable. If you have a home office, running a cable and connecting directly saves a lot of problems and should improve your connectivity.
Tackling Wi-Fi Dead Areas
Dead areas are spots in your home where the Wi-Fi doesn’t seem to reach. Older houses with thick brick walls tend to suffer from this more than newer ones. Other devices, speakers and metal objects like filing cabinets can also interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. The size of your home will also make a difference.
There are ways around this, fortunately. The simplest is to reposition your router so that its signal reaches further to all parts of the home. If that doesn’t work, you can buy a Wi-Fi extender which essentially fits into an ordinary plug socket further away from your router and bounces the signal into areas where you have a dead zone.
