Posted: 20-08-18

Author: Kelvin Hussey

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR FIBRE BROADBAND CONNECTION

Being connected to superior fibre broadband ensures you have a fast connection coming into your home, but there are a number of other factors that can affect the real-time performance you experience when connecting your devices to the internet.

These factors can include, but are not limited to:

• the age and quality of your devices

• the way your home Wi-Fi is set up

• where the equipment is set up in your house

• whether there are any physical or other interferences in your home

A WI-FI MODEM CAN BE POSITIONED TOO FAR AWAY FROM CONNECTED DEVICES

The distance between your internet device and your modem can dramatically affect your Wi-Fi performance. The impact can be heightened by environmental interference such as what your walls are made of (concrete, brick, steel framing) and other objects (fish tanks, hot water cylinders).

Test: If your device has an indicator of the strength of your Wi-Fi signal, check this where you usually use your device and then compare it when your device is close to your Wi-Fi modem. Conduct a speed test where you usually use your device and compare it to a speed test done approximately one metre away from your Wi-Fi modem.

Possible solutions to this issue:

• If you have structured Ethernet wiring in your home, consider moving the modem to a jack point closer to where you use your devices or in the centre of your house

• Consider purchasing a Wi-Fi range extender. There are plenty of affordable Wi-Fi extenders available in the market and they are easy to install.

HOME WIRING CAN BE DAMAGED OR BE OF INSUFFICIENT QUALITY TO PROVIDE GOOD PERFORMANCE

If your devices are connected to the internet through a jackpoint connected to a wiring that can either be damaged or be of insufficient quality, your broadband performance may be affected.

Test: Connect your internet device directly into a LAN port on your modem using an Ethernet cable.

Then conduct an internet speed test and see if this improves performance.

Possible solutions to this issue:

• Only connect your devices directly into the modem via an Ethernet cable in future

• Revert to using Wi-Fi to connect your devices to the internet

DEVICES CAN BE TOO OLD OR HAVE SOFTWARE INSTALLED THAT CAN REDUCE BROADBAND PERFORMANCE

Old devices, or certain types of software installed on your devices, can have an impact on broadband performance. In some cases, your entire home network will reconfigure itself to perform at the level of the lowest performing device.

Test: Disconnect all internet devices. Source a new device (preferably less than a year old) and use this to conduct a speed test to see if performance is improved using this device.

Possible solutions to this issue:

• Remove any unnecessary apps or software from your devices

• Consider upgrading your devices

MODEM MAY BE OUTDATED AND LIMITING YOUR PERFORMANCE

If you’re using a modem that is not provided by your retail service provider, it may be too old or not appropriate for use with a fibre broadband service.

The current standard for Wi-Fi modems that are appropriate for use with a fibre broadband connection is the ‘ac’ standard.

Test: Check that your modem is of an appropriate standard. This may be highlighted as a feature on the modem box or you may need to check by contacting your retail service provider and asking them.

Possible solutions to this Issue:

• Use the modem provided by your retail service provider

• Purchase a new modem that is ‘ac’ standard - if you have subscribed to a ‘BYO’ modem service

OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES IN OR AROUND THE HOME CAN INTERFERE WITH A WI-FI SIGNAL

Interference to a Wi-Fi signal can be caused by a range of other electrical devices that are common in or around the home. Devices that may cause interference include transmitting devices (such as neighbouring Wi-Fi networks, cordless phones, baby monitors and Bluetooth devices) and other electrical devices (such as halogen desk lamps, dimmer switches, speakers and even electric fences).

Test: Check your Wi-Fi signal strength and conduct a speed test while other devices are on and compare it to the signal strength and a speed test when all other devices are turned off and disconnected from the power.

Possible solutions to this issue: • Choose a new frequency or channel for your Wi-Fi modem manually on the admin panel or set the modem to ‘auto’ and reboot the modem. You can also use the 5G channels as these have less interference and lets you use the faster speeds available from your Wi-Fi.

• Ensure all unnecessary electrical devices are turned off when not in use or are removed from the environment

• Reduce the number of electrical devices in your home - particularly those that are positioned near your Wi-Fi modem or between it and where you use your connected devices.