Ways to Improve Your WiFi Speed

Your connection to the internet is via a router. Routers are electronic devices that connect computer networks together. In the case of home and office routers, it connects the home/office computer network (even a single device) to the internet. You will need to ensure that your router can transmit the correct wireless signals. If your current router cannot accomplish that, you will need to replace your router. You will likely find that the router given to you when you subscribed for your connection to the internet can already do that.

Internet bandwidth describes the maximum data transfer rate of a network or Internet connection. It measures how much data can be sent over a specific connection within a given amount of time. When visualizing internet bandwidth, it may help to think of a network connection as a tube and each bit of data as a grain of sand. If you pour a large amount of sand into a skinny tube, it will take a long time for the sand to flow through it. If you pour the same amount of sand through a wide tube, the sand will finish flowing through the tube much faster. Similarly, a file upload or download will finish much faster when you have a high-bandwidth connection (wide tube) rather than a low-bandwidth connection (skinny tube).

Ways to Improve Your WiFi Speed

Use up-to-date Hardware: Wireless A, B, G, and N are older wireless standards Wireless AC is the most wireless standard. Wireless AX is the next anticipated standard due to be released in 2019. Having a wireless AC connection (launched in 2013) will give you the ability to move more data at a faster rate than the older A, B, G, and N standards. You will need both a wireless AC router and a wireless device with wireless AC if you want the full speed standard. With more smart devices entering your home or office (e.g. addressable light bulbs, switches, thermostats, etc.) a strong WiFi signal that can propagate the fastest signal is essential.

Limit Bandwidth Hogging Applications
Some programs and applications (Apps) use much more bandwidth than others. Video chatting, music and movie streaming (e.g. Spotify, Netflix, Amazon, etc.), downloading/uploading large files and live TV and news feeds quickly use more of your bandwidth “tube” competing for that available flow rate to move data. Reduce the number of users simultaneously running such applications or block the use of bandwidth hogging applications. Another option is to schedule low internet demand times for using such bandwidth hogging apps (e.g. download of large data and files when most people are not online).

Restrict Network Access Only to Legitimate Users
Your router’s default administrator password should be changed immediately. If none exists, put a password on your WiFi router to allow wireless access. Without password protection and encryption your WiFi connection is open to anyone who happens to be in close proximity to your WiFi signal, even someone who just happens to pass by and notice your unsecured wireless network. A strong password (read “Are Your Passwords Safe“) prevents unauthorized access to your WiFi router and computer network. The router’s encryption will prevent anyone who hacks the WiFi signal from reading the transmitted data, which may include sensitive information like account IDs, social security numbers, etc.

Place Your Router out in the Open
Routers are typically installed in the location where your Internet connection enters and connects to your modem. Often that’s a basement, garage or closet. You can alleviate that issue with a longer Ethernet cable from the entry point to the router’s installation point. If you want the best WiFi signal, you’ll need your router centrally located out in the open, free of any thick walls, electronic appliances and obstructions. If your router’s optimal location is a space without a table or flat surface, check to see if you can wall mount it using its pre-installed mounting holes or a mounting bracket. Finally, make sure it’s in the center of your home or office so you have the best and most even coverage possible.

Boost Your WiFi Signal Range
When you have trouble getting a solid, reliable WiFi signal in some parts of your home or office, a WiFi range extender or a wireless access point (WAP) could be the solution for you. As you move your wireless device further from your WiFi router, the WiFi signal becomes weaker. It’s like adding water to a cup of tea… As you add water the taste is not as strong.  A WiFi range extender (also known as a repeater) receives the remote WiFi signal and rebroadcasts it from that point. A wireless access point is typically hard wired from the router or computer network to create another WiFi signal point to which to connect to the router. By having any of these devices installed, you extend the range for your devices to access your WiFi router.

For more tips on improving your WiFi speed, click HERE to read the advice from Intel.

Click HERE to contact me regarding this or any other blog topic. Also, I welcome your comments, which you can post below.