It is possible that, at a certain point, you will notice a reduction in the internet speed in your home. Pages take longer to open, videos load slower, and the quality appears worse. This is largely due to the increase in the number of users at home, especially in recent weeks, consuming internet data. The coronavirus pandemic forced a large part of the population to remain at home, which caused internet consumption to skyrocket and, consequently, has put extra pressure on systems. While we can’t change the impact of the pandemic, there are some actions you can take to try to improve your Wi-Fi signal at home. Find out more in this article.
Here are 4 main tips recommended by the American Communications Authority (FCC) and cited by to improve the signal on home networks:
1. Check your internet plan and test the speed
Regardless of your internet provider, it is important to know whether the speeds promised when signing up for the plan are being met. Typically, the most common plans guarantee a minimum speed of around 100 Mbps (megabits per second).
If your internet is slower than expected, you should check whether the agreed values are being met. You can do this through an app that tests your connection speed or by visiting specific testing sites. If the speed is lower than promised, it’s time to contact your internet provider.
Follow the instructions provided by the operator and, for example, try restarting your router. If that doesn’t solve the problem, it may be necessary to replace some equipment, be it a more modern and powerful router or a network extension device. It is essential to have the appropriate infrastructure to achieve the best speeds.
2. Improve your home’s connectivity
Internet service in homes is generally provided by a Wi-Fi network created by a single router. If too many devices are connected to the same network, this can cause overload, reducing speed.
Modern routers typically offer two types of Wi-Fi signals: one at 2.4 GHz and another at 5 GHz (faster). For better speeds, you should always opt for the 5 GHz signal. However, this signal has a shorter range, so if you are far from the router, the 2.4 GHz signal will probably be a better choice.
In general, the ideal is to place the router in a central position in the house and, if necessary, use network extension devices to guarantee good speeds in all spaces in your home.
3. Set a usage time
As mentioned earlier, the more devices are connected to the same network, the worse the speed will be. No router, no matter how modern, can guarantee high speeds if all members of the house are using the internet intensively at the same time, whether for streaming movies, online games, video conferences, among others.
It is important to establish some rules, especially during confinement days, to prioritize data use and consumption. Set schedules to ensure that there are more “protected” periods of the day to work with maximum productivity.
4. Explore other options
If you have good mobile data service on your cell phone, one solution that can ease the load on your Wi-Fi network is to turn off Wi-Fi on your mobile devices and use the mobile data network. As long as you have a generous data plan (5GB or more), this may be an alternative that offers better speeds.
Additionally, you can use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect other devices, such as your computer, to your mobile network.
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