Hints and Tips
Your Internet connection can seem slower from time to time but this may not be a sign of poor connectivity. Running numerous applications or saving large files can affect the performance of your PC and thus your broadband speeds. If you’re finding that you’re getting this a lot, below are a few tips to help you get the fastest speeds possible with your connection.
Step 1: Reboot your broadband modem
To do this, unplug your modem from the power source for 30 seconds and then plug it back in. It’s as simple as that.
Step 2: Use the latest browser version
Latest web browser versions are already optimised for faster Internet browsing, so the more up to date your web browser, the faster your connection is likely to be. Plus, more recent version will have enhanced security features, and other benefits. We suggest that you download the latest version of your particular web browser from the manufacturer’s web site.
Step 3: Use an Ethernet cable rather than a USB connection
Ethernet was specifically designed as a network connection. However USB was designed as a general connection method for anything from printers to digital cameras. Because of this, USB connections cannot achieve the higher broadband speeds we offer. Also if you have several USB devices in use on your PC e.g. mouse, keyboard or scanner, then you are even more likely to experience problems because of the increased load on the processor of your computer.
Step 4: Wireless v Cabled Connections
Although its great that we can all access the internet without being plugged into the modem, sometimes we all expect a little too much from this technology. A good point to remember is your wireless router should ideally be in your line of sight to get the best speeds possible. The more walls and distance you put between your PC and the router, the slower the speeds you will achieve.
For people who have generally reliable, fast connections, if you use the wireless connection sensibly it shouldn't be a big issue. However, if you're having speed problems and are using a wireless router you should try connecting directly via a cable to see if it helps. If you are sharing your wireless connection you may experience slow speeds if a few people are downloading or uploading at the same time. This includes things like streaming and online gaming.
To ensure you’re getting the best possible speeds we recommend connecting to the modem with a cable rather than opting for the wireless option.