Many things can affect your broadband speed, from the equipment you're using and it's location, to the physical network in your premises.
Remember, data-hungry businesses need an appropriately fast connection. So if your broadband is slowing you down, it’s time to consider an upgrade.
Have you just had broadband connected?
Before we go any further, though, if you’re within the first 10 days of starting a new broadband connection, be patient. The speed fluctuates during this period while the equipment at the exchange works out the maximum consistent speed that your line can support.
Check your speed
First, you’ll need to know what speeds you’re getting, not just for the broadband itself, but for broadband over your wireless connection. Check your broadband speed.
If your broadband speed is below the bottom end of the speed range that you’re paying for, talk to your broadband supplier. But if it’s within the range and dragging its feet, there are some simple things that could improve the situation.
Optimise your current set-up
- Check where you’ve positioned your router
Routers are affected by electrical interference so make sure yours is at least five feet away from TVs, monitors, dimmer switches, PC speakers, halogen desk lamps, and so on.
Wireless works best when there's clear space between the router and the computer. That means no thick walls, ceilings, radiators, and anything else that could get in the way of the wireless signal. The more obstacles that are in the way of it, the weaker the signal will be when it finally gets to your device.
- Clean up your computer and empty your cache
No, put the screen wipe away. Not that kind of clean up. If your computer is clogged up with files, it can affect its speed and the speed you can browse the internet, so just go to your System Tools and run Disk Clean Up and Disk Defragmenter.
Then, empty your cache. If you’re not sure how to do this, we’ve got an article: How do I empty my internet cache or cookies?
Computers get old pretty fast. If yours is more than three years old, you'll probably find that it's running slow compared to a modern machine. Now might be the time to invest in a new one.
- Change your wireless channel
Wi-fi uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio frequencies. If you have several wireless devices on the go at the same time, you might experience some interference that can affect your wireless performance. And if you have close neighbours, their devices could be causing interference.
Try changing the channel on your router to see if that peps things up.
If you’re not already using one, try a router that uses both frequencies, not just the standard 2.4 GHz. The BT Business Smart Hub is dual-band, with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, which helps reduce interference and connection drop-out.
- Use an Ethernet cable instead of wireless
You'll get a faster speed connecting your computer directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. Ethernet is always the best way to connect computers to a router. But this isn't always practical. In which case, you'll need to make sure the wireless router works efficiently, so...
- Use a Powerline adapter to extend the range of your broadband
Powerline adapters use the electrical cables in your premises to transmit your broadband without any loss of performance.
The adapters come in pairs. Plug one into an electric socket near to your router. Connect the adapter to the router with a LAN cable. Then plug the other adapter into an electric socket near your computer. Same again, just connect the computer to the adapter with a LAN cable. And that’s it; your computer will connect to the internet as if it was plugged directly into the router.
You can get powerline adapters from BT Business Direct.
- Use a micro-filter on all equipment plugged into the broadband line
If you're plugging any item into a socket on your broadband line - phone, router, modem, fax, alarm, TV, whatever - you must always plug it into an ADSL micro-filter before plugging it into the line socket.
You can get micro-filters from BT Business Direct.
- Plug your router into your main phone socket rather than an extension
If this is an option in your premises, give it a go. And make sure you use a micro-filter.
If none of these ideas works for you, you might want to think about changing your broadband service.
Change your broadband
There are three different types of broadband you could have depending on your premises: Fibre, ISDN or Leased Line. For more information on these three and to find out which might be best for you, read our blog A guide to broadband: fibre, ISDN and leased line.
Is your broadband performing how it should? Do you have any tips or tricks that have helped you? Lets chat in the comments.
@Jen1
