Households struggling with slow wifi could boost speeds by following a simple 'motorway rule' — reducing the number of devices using the connection at the same time. Northumberland City Council issued the advice in a previous blog post, suggesting people think of their internet connection 'a bit like a motorway', especially in busy households.
Think of your connection like a motorway
The Council explained that the more cars (or data) travelling at any given time, the more likely you are to face congestion (or slow internet speeds), assuming the number of lanes (your bandwidth) stays the same. It also advised checking for automatic downloads.
"If you're completely sure that no-one else in your household is using all your bandwidth, it might actually be your computer (or another device that no-one is using)," the blog said. It recommended checking smart TVs, game consoles, and computers, which could be downloading software, syncing shows, or downloading game updates.
Distance and layout affect the signal
Sky also shares tips to help customers boost their signal. "Your WiFi is what connects your devices to your hub, and every home is different. Which means that every WiFi set-up is too," the experts explained.
"There are lots of reasons why your WiFi might slow down or feel weaker in certain rooms. The most common one being distance. The further away you are from your hub, the more your signal drops. Your home layout matters too. Thick walls, floors, large furniture, older devices and even how many people are online at once can all affect the signal."
Wired connections and upgrades
It could also be helpful to change to a wired connection where possible. "Wired devices don’t have to compete for signal so it’s a great option for TVs, consoles or desktop computers that don’t move around. This will also free up WiFi signal for other devices in your home," Sky said.
Other tips included using a booster or moving the router away from other electronics, which could cause interference. However, Sky said that if you have followed all the tips and still struggle with your connection, you might need to upgrade your broadband package.
"If you’re doing more online and relying more on your broadband than you used to, upgrading to a faster broadband package or moving to Full Fibre could be what you need to get your home back online."
