Slow internet speeds put a serious crimp on modern life and are especially annoying if you’re paying for faster speeds. How can you make sure you’re getting the best broadband internet experience possible?
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to stream a TV program and getting the dreaded spinning circle. Or trying to navigate the web and each page seems to take forever to load.
If this sounds familiar – and we’ve all been there at some point – there are a few steps you can take before calling your internet provider to check that you’re getting the best speeds possible and improve them if you’re not.
Perform a speed test
The first thing you want to do when encountering slow internet is get some hard data on how your connection is performing by doing a speed test.
There are a number of free options available on the internet, and putting ‘internet speed test’ into a Google search will bring up a range of options including Google’s own. Other popular options include the Ookla and Canstar Blue speed tests.
The test will measure both your download and upload speeds and display the results in megabits per second (Mbps). Your download speed will typically be much higher than your upload speed.
For example, I ran the test on my own connection and got 68.3 Mbps download speed and 11.7 Mbps upload, which is fairly average for my connection.
But if you’re experiencing notably slow internet performance, this will be evident in your test. There could be a number of different reasons for the slow performance, but if you’re getting good results on your speed test, the culprit is more likely to be the streaming app you’re using or problems with the web browser.
Compare the results of your speed test to the speeds quoted by your internet plan. If they’re not within the acceptable margin (usually defined in your plan) then something is wrong with your connection.
Check for outages
If you suddenly experience slow internet when your connection is usually strong, there may be a fault or scheduled outage. Check your internet service provider’s services and outages web page to see if there have been any incidents or planned maintenance.
This is usually the best-case scenario – although annoying – because it means your connection and modem are working fine and service should soon be restored.
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
If there are no faults or outages reported in your area, it’s time to try a few things. Before anything else, try rebooting your modem by turning it off, waiting at least two minutes, and then turning it back on again.
Known as a ‘power cycle’, turning electronics off and on again really is an effective way to reset any error state the modem might be in.
Move it, move it
If turning it off and on again didn’t work, you may have positioned your Wi-Fi router in a bad spot. Wi-Fi routers need to be placed in a central area within your home, as high off the ground as possible.
Internet-connected devices work best with minimal physical objects between them and the router, so try moving yours to a different location to see if that improves your signal.
Invest in a Wi-Fi extender or mesh Wi-Fi system
If you live in a large house, or just one with a lot of walls between your devices and your Wi-Fi router, it may be worth investing in some Wi-Fi extenders or using a mesh Wi-Fi system.
A Wi-Fi extender, also sometimes known as a Wi-Fi repeater, is a low-cost device designed to amplify the existing Wi-Fi signal from your router to extend its coverage area, essentially providing a second broadcast point for the signal.
Wi-Fi extenders plug into existing power points and transmit the signal from your router through your home’s internal wiring. They are particularly suitable for apartments.
A mesh Wi-Fi system is a bit more complex but is the perfect solution for larger homes. A mesh Wi-Fi setup uses a special kind of router that consists of multiple ‘nodes’ placed around your house that operate in unison. One node acts as the base station and connects to the internet, while the others act as ‘satellites’ rebroadcasting the signal.
Call your internet provider
If you’re still regularly experiencing slow internet speeds despite trying all these methods, it may be time to call your internet provider.
Not getting the speeds you’re paying for isn’t okay and it’s ultimately your provider’s responsibility to ensure everything is working as it should, so don’t be afraid to contact them for help. If you don’t like the answers you’re given, then it’s time to shop around.
How’s the internet speed at your place? Does it remain mostly consistent? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Best internet plans for seniors
For me, Any reduction in internet speed is definitely on the ISP side, as I have a Gateway/Firewall connected to my NBN connection and run my own WiFi internally.
The NBN has just informed me that there are Fibre to the Premises is now available in my area, and I will be checking it out, as the FTTN is absolutely abysmal when it rains and the pits get flooded. But the cost is slightly higher.
That should be “ISP/NBN side”, as it could be either. In wet weather it is definitely NBN !!