Households experiencing slow broadband may benefit from disconnecting unused devices and carrying out simple checks, according to BT Broadband. The company has urged customers to try a few tweaks that could resolve speed issues without assuming a network fault.
Why Broadband Can Slow Down
Slow broadband is not always due to a network fault. Your router, Wi-Fi set-up, home wiring, and even the time of day can affect speeds. Usage patterns also matter: if several people are streaming, gaming, or downloading at once, performance can dip, particularly at peak times.
BT explains: "Your broadband speed is shared between all connected devices. If 4 devices are online at the same time, each one will get roughly a quarter of the available speed." Activities like streaming live TV, YouTube, or Netflix, and online gaming use more bandwidth. If someone in your household is doing this, it can affect speeds for everyone else.
How to Boost Your Broadband Speed
To boost speeds quickly, BT suggests: "If you've connected devices you no longer use, disconnecting them can help." Other recommendations include checking if your device is the problem, as newer phones, tablets, and laptops can handle much faster wireless speeds. A sluggish computer can make broadband seem worse than it is, due to too many programs running, not enough memory, browser add-ons, or apps set to start automatically.
BT suggests placing your hub as close as possible to where you use the internet most, as walls, doors, and furniture can weaken the Wi-Fi signal. Restarting devices can help, such as turning Wi-Fi off or switching to aeroplane mode for a few seconds. BT advises keeping your hub switched on and connected at all times, as switching it off regularly can make the line appear unstable, potentially leading to reduced speeds. Viruses and malware can also slow down devices and broadband.
Should You Switch Providers?
If you're unhappy with your broadband speed, it's always good to shop around. If you're mid-contract, you may have to pay an exit fee, but if your signal is very poor and you've tried everything, it may be time to switch. Before doing anything, Money Saving Expert (MSE), founded by Martin Lewis, encourages people to haggle to save money.
MSE suggests that if you're fed up with price rises or your bill is set to jump when a promo deal ends, one of the simplest ways to save cash is to haggle. Companies are keen to keep existing customers, so call and ask for a better deal. Say you've seen cheaper offers elsewhere. If that doesn't work, say you're thinking of leaving - you'll often be passed to a retention team with access to better discounts.
Useful phrases include: 'I've worked out my budget, and my absolute max is £[insert amount here] a month...', '[BT/Sky/Virgin Media] can do it for less...', 'I need to think about it...', 'I think my other half/housemate/horse will go bonkers if I agree to pay that...', 'It's still a lot of money...', and 'Is that the very best you can do?' For more tips, visit the MSE blog.
