Several factors have been found that greatly affect Internet speed at home. These include the distance between one's house and the telephone exchange, the number of people that are using the same Internet connection at the same time, the time when the user goes online and the user's Internet setup.
Other factors include damaged Internet lines and interference from home appliances. The latter includes cordless telephones, baby monitors and electric lamps.
Ofcom, the communications regulator in the UK, advises users to make sure that their routers are as far away as possible from these appliances because of their interference-causing wireless signals.
"We estimate that consumers' home broadband experience may not be working as well as it could in around a fifth of UK homes," said Sharon White, Ofcom's chief executive. "This is often caused by something unrelated to the Internet connection, which could be as simple as interference to the broadband router from a lamp, stereo speakers or baby monitor."
The average broadband speed in the UK is 18.7Mbps, according to statistics recorded in May 2014. In the latest Q1-2015 report, the data was found to have increased by as much as 21.93 percent in the past six months, making the average speed reach up to 22.8Mbps.
White added that most households that have slow Internet can gain increased speed by simply improving the location of their wireless broadband router. She recommends users to keep their router as far away as possible from other electrical home appliances and from those that give out wireless signals.
Here are some of the steps that you can do to help increase the speed of your Internet connection.
1. Do several speed tests. This will help you gain a better insight on the type of speed that you are getting and if the issue seems consistent. These tests should be carried out for several days and at varying times within the day. Keep a record of all the test results.
2. Check if you have the latest Web browser version. Not only do newer versions work faster, they also provide increased security.
3. Check if there are electrical devices that are causing electrical interference on your router. Make sure that your router is placed as far away as possible from these electrical devices as they emit wireless signals. These include stereo or computer speakers, electrical dimmer switches, cordless phones, halogen lamps, fairy lights, TVs and monitors, AC power chords, baby monitors, etc. Moreover, always place the router on the table or on the shelf instead of placing it on the floor. Lastly, always keep your router switched on.
4. Upgrade your router to the latest model and make sure that your broadband is password-protected.
5. It's better if you go for a wired connection instead of wireless. Make sure that the wires are not tangled and coiled.
6. Install only the most up-to-date main phone socket in your home and the latest plug microfilters into the phone socket.
7. Avoid using a telephone extension lead which can cause interference that could slow down Internet speed. If this cannot be avoided, make sure that you use a new high quality cable and that it is in the shortest length possible. You should also plug your broadband router directly into the main phone socket.
8. Search for devices that are designed particularly to filter out interference from the phone wiring system in your house. These devices can help improve speed. They can also help in making your broadband connection more stable and reliable.
9. Lastly, open up the issue to your Internet service provider (ISP). Some ISPs have managed to put in place a voice recording intended to help subscribers solve connection-related issues themselves just by listening to the recording. There are also times when the ISP would give out an advisory on the current situation, such as other areas that are affected by the same issue and the possible date and time that it will be resolved.
Photo: Sean MacEntee | Flickr
