We are tired of reading practical tips to improve the speed of our Internet connection. Although it is true that there are no magic tricks we can do to trigger the performance of the connection, it is also true that there are things that can improve performance (or at least not compromise it). Therefore, we have collected a guide of practical tips to improve the speed of your Internet connection by Sopto, the telecommunications regulator of the United Kingdom.
There are a number of factors that compromise the performance of our Internet connection and its speed. It is useless to have the fastest connection of the moment if we incur a series of bad practices. In addition, factors such as the number of people connected or the placement of the router inside the house, can negatively affect performance.
Even the misconfiguration of the device may not be causing these problems or the policies of our operator in certain overload situations, nor do they do too much for performance. Therefore, there are some tips to try to mitigate these effects and, in this case, comes from Sopto, the regulator of telecommunications in the United Kingdom.
Tips to improve Internet speed
1. Perform a speed test
The starting point is always the realization of a Speed Test to have a vision of the possible problem. However, this does not consist of performing a single point measurement and rather it is to carry out the process for several days at several different times. Thus we will see the possible hourly saturation or the specific problems. In Test of Speed we offer you a tool with a multitude of nodes of different operators and that works from PC and mobile.
2. Contact with your operator
Without a doubt, when we detect a fault or problem, the first thing is to contact the operator. It is possible that it is a specific problem that we confirm in the customer service line (many times just dial the number) or works to improve the line. In any case, it is worth nothing to touch the router or configure the device if the problem is in our Internet operator.
3. Update your browser
We are firm supporters to update whenever possible to the latest version of any program, application or operating system. In the long run, this offers more benefits than problems. In the case of Internet browsing, it is key to have the latest version of the browser that we use, be it Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox. Each new version has new features, but also improves performance and closes security holes.
4. Remove electrical appliances from the router
The placement of the router is vital, both for finding a suitable location in the central part of the house and for moving the device away from sources of interference. Halogen lamps, speakers, Christmas lights, televisions and appliances in general can cause interference problems. We will always avoid placing the router near one of these areas.
5. Think about buying a new router
It is true that telecommunications operators have put their batteries in regard to the routers and the general network equipment they offer. However, their devices are far from high-end equipment that makes use of more up-to-date components or faster WiFi standards.
6. Protect the router with password
It is vital that we maintain security at the highest possible level. To do this, we must secure the router with a password, in addition to changing the one established by default by the manufacturer or operator. Anyone who manages to access the router will be one step away from sneaking into our home network, into our computers and into everything inside them.
7. Use cable before WiFi
WiFi is very comfortable and versatile, but we will always prefer the use of wired connections over WiFi connections. According to some studies, WiFi can lose up to 65% of the speed contracted.
8. Use microfilters
ADSL is giving way to fiber optic in Spain, but in countries like the United Kingdom the reality is not so pretty. Therefore, its regulator continues to strongly recommend the use of microfilters in all telephone sockets to avoid interference that may occur in the copper cable connection.
9. Pass the “extension”
We are still in the field of ADSL and Ofcom recommends that we connect the router in the main telephone connection of the house. This is because the poor condition of the wiring inside our home can drastically reduce the speed of navigation.
10. Use filters
Similar to point 8, but more generic. The British telecommunications regulator recommends the use of devices that filter interference from home wiring. This may not directly affect an improvement in speed, but it will ensure that we have a more stable and capable connection.