How long has it been since you've had an Internet tune up? Are you using the same Internet router that you've been using for years? Are you getting the biggest bang for your buck on your Internet service package? In our online world where network services and work are interconnected, I recently did a tune up of my home network, and after numerous complaints of dropped Zoom calls and low network speeds, let's just say, it's been life changing.
It's faster and more stable and reduced the FOMO related to not being able to get online. For so many students who moved to online learning there has to be a solid stable Internet connection. For remote workers who’ve been working at home for years now quality of service is a must to get the job done. After tuning up my home network, I was able to get a significant boost in service. If you haven’t done a tuneup in a while, I highly recommend that you do this for yourself. Why put up with terrible service? Your family, your coworkers, your colleagues and managers will all be appreciate your initiative and your online video and live streaming experience will be better.
As I was researching the subject based on my own experience, I found some helpful and practical tips in Nelson Aguilar’s article, “
Boost Your Internet for Free: My Secrets to High-Speed at Home”. He talks about planning when you move do some research before you relocate and upgrade or shop around for The best service.
For streaming, you may not know it, but you might be sacrificing quality for convenience if you’re using Wi-Fi rather than a wired, ethernet connection directly to your router. See this article from Hailee Seltzer’s article, “
What I Discovered Testing Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet Performance in My New Place” for an in-depth review on why you should be using an Ethernet connection for video streaming. She found extremely higher rates and quality of service than Wi-Fi by using a wired Ethernet connection.
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| Speed test by Ookla |
My home office Internet speed vastly improved with a new Xfinity XFi Gateway and upgraded service. My old router couldn’t even handle the amount of data throughput that I had been paying for which was just a big waste of money each month. I’m now getting download speeds over 900 Mbps and upload 40 Mbps on the wired connection. AT&T fiber is available in my service area with speeds up to 5 Gbps at the introductory cost which is more than my Xfinity triple play monthly service cost. So, I’m not ready to make that jump and switch services at this time. The one gigabit per second AT&T fiber service is the same monthly cost as my Xfinity package, which includes television and a landline service. This recent Forbes article compares the cost and services of broadband service providers, “
Best Internet providers of July 2024.”
While searching for a good thumbnail for this blog post I used copilot to search this topic which generated the following tips.
When it comes to tuning up your home network, think of it like giving your Wi-Fi a thorough checkup. Here are some practical steps you can take to speed up, stabilize, and secure your Wi-Fi:
Router Placement: First, consider the location of your router. Avoid hiding it in a closet or placing it in a far corner of your house. Instead, position it out in the open, as high as possible, with minimal walls obstructing its signal. If your router has external antennas, try pointing one vertically and one horizontally for better coverage1.
Upgrade Your Router: If your router is more than a couple of years old, consider upgrading to a newer model. Look for routers with 802.11ac support, which delivers faster speeds. Even budget-friendly 802.11ac routers can provide excellent performance1.
Check Wi-Fi Channels: Ensure that you and your neighbors are not all using the same Wi-Fi channel. Overlapping channels can cause interference. Use tools like Wi-Fi analyzer apps to find the least congested channel and adjust your router settings accordingly.
Optimize Wi-Fi Settings: Explore your router’s settings. Adjust the channel width (20 MHz for less interference, 40 MHz for more speed), enable Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize certain devices or applications, and update firmware for security and performance improvements.
Secure Your Network: Change the default Wi-Fi password to a strong, unique one. Also, consider enabling WPA3 encryption for better security.
Position Access Points (APs): If you have multiple access points (APs), strategically place them to ensure strong coverage throughout your home. Measure signal strength where you’ll be using your devices to find the optimal spots2.
Remember, a well-tuned home network ensures smoother streaming, faster downloads, and reliable connectivity. Happy Wi-Fi tuning! 😃🛠️🛜
Sources:
Digitaltrends https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/how-to-make-your-wi-fi-faster/
