How To Improve Your Internet Connection

These days, you can do lots of things on the internet, such as watching streamed television programmes or making voice calls that would have been unheard of only a decade ago. However, in order to make use of these next-generation internet functions, you have to have a fast and reliable internet connection. If you are having trouble with bandwidth-intensive activities such as watching movies online or listening to internet radio, then you might want to take some steps to improve your internet connection. Here are some hints and tips that you may find helpful in this regard.

Give Ethernet a try

It is certainly true that Wi-Fi connections are more convenient, in most cases, than plugging your computer into the router every time you want to connect to the internet, but you might be surprised to find out how much faster and more reliable your connection will be if you try this. Give it a try, and if there is a slight improvement you might want to keep a cable handy for when you want to perform bandwidth-intensive tasks. However, if there is a really dramatic difference, then you could have a problem with the antenna in your computer or the router.

Put your router in a better place

The radiation that comes off of power cables and some electrical goods can interfere with the radio signals that are emitted by your router. Therefore, you should try to place the router as far away from these items as possible. However, you should also try to ensure that there is a clear air path between the router and the devices you want to connect it to, as dense objects such as doors, walls, sofas, and beds can all prevent waves from getting through.

Try swapping the router

The cheap routers that come free with most home broadband packages are notoriously unreliable, but some are worse than others, especially if they have had a knock or two. If you have another one lying around, or you can borrow one from somewhere, then you might want to try plugging that in instead, and seeing if it makes much of a difference. If it does make a positive difference, then you might want to think about replacing your existing router for one that is in better condition, or offers a higher specification.

Get a new broadband deal

Broadband prices have come down dramatically in recent times, and you may well be able to get a much faster connection, with a high or unlimited data allowance and a generous fair usage policy, for the same amount of money as you are paying at the moment or even less. At the moment, there are some incredibly cheap broadband offers on the Sky website, such as super fast, unlimited broadband for £7.50 a month*. Unless you are suffering from a specific hardware problem, then this is the step that is most likely to make a dramatic improvement to the quality and speed of your connection.

*Subject to change. Check the Sky Broadband website for the latest prices