A common misconception is that the only things that affect your broadband speed are the provider and the deal you have signed up to.
In reality, many things can affect the speed you are getting but the good thing is that many of them are in your control and can be easily fixed.
Ofcom has produced some hints and tips on how to get the best out of your broadband, so here are our top picks below.
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If your broadband comes into your premises via a phone line, then how far you are from the local exchange will affect the maximum speeds you can get, as speeds over traditional copper wires slow the further from the exchange they are. While you can make use of our other tips to improve matters, if you’re a long way from your local exchange you may be better off getting broadband via cable, if that is available in your area.
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Installing microfilters in all of your home phone sockets, even those just used for phones, will enable your broadband to work over the same line as your telephone service, and help you get the most out of your broadband.
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Remember that speeds quoted by providers are generally a maximum, not a guarantee. The internet is also like a motorway, in that it slows the greater the volume of traffic on it, so don’t expect to always reach your quoted speed if logging on at peak times. If you get your broadband over a wifi connection, the closer your computer is to the router the better it will perform.
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Password-protect your wifi, not only for security, but to stop anyone else piggybacking on your connection and slowing it down.
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Your computer can also slow your broadband experience, so ensure you have the latest version of whatever browser you used downloaded, and clear your cache regularly to keep processing times as low as they can be.
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Having large number of windows or tabs open can also slow everything down, so try to just have open what you absolutely need.
- If you’ve tried all of the above and are still having issues, consider connecting directly to the internet via cable, ideally using a faster ethernet cable instead of a USB one.
Trying combinations of the tips above should ensure you’re getting the best speeds possible for your line,
but you can always speak to your provider if you need any additional advice.
