Broadband internet speed & home wi-fi set-up help

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High speed fibre broadband is now available in most urban areas across Shropshire and North Wales, including;  Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Corwen, Wrexham, Welshpool, Whitchurch & Llangollen.

If in doubt, call Dave at oztech and he will check the availability in your postcode!

Unfortunately, the more rural Welsh Borders are currently less well served, and broadband connection may be limited to ADSL, 4G mobile. . .  or Satellite (more fully described below).

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Sometimes the simplest of changes can result in a huge improvement.   If you're suffering with slow speeds, loss of signal, or patchy wi-fi coverage, here are several things you can try which may boost your broadband signal.

. . .first steps

Run a speed test:   Use one of the many free speed test websites (such as fast.com ) to monitor your internet speed and identify potential issues.

Restart your router:   Just like computers, routers can benefit from a restart to clear out temporary errors or glitches.

Reboot your computer:   If you have restarted your router, but the issue remains, try rebooting your PC, laptop or other Smart device set-ups so that they look for the (hopefully improved ) signal!

Move the router:   Reposition your router to a higher, open location, further away from walls, floors, and electrical devices.

Reduce the load:   Reduce the number of Smart device set-ups connected to your wi-fi and, if possible, use an Ethernet cable for Smart device set-ups that use a lot of bandwidth, such as Smart TVs and Gaming consoles.

Close other applications:   Many applications that run in the background can consume bandwidth.

. . .a little more technical

Don't panic!   These steps are really best carried out by oztech during a remote TeamViewer session or an engineering visit.

Scan for malware:   Malware, including 'Ad Trackers' will seriously slow down your internet speed, so make sure to run regular virus scans. . .  and remember to check for updates frequently!

Secure your network:   Use a strong, unique password for your Wi-Fi network and consider enabling encryption (WPA2 or WPA3 ).

Change Wi-Fi channels:   If you're experiencing interference, try changing the Wi-Fi channel on your router to a less crowded one.

Check for firmware updates:   Router manufacturers often release firmware updates that improve performance, and security.

Check your devices:   Some older device may not be compatible with the latest wi-fi standards.

. . .your next step

Call oztech to have your questions answered, or to arrange a visit at your convenience.

. . .some possible solutions

Your oztech engineer will suggest the easiest, fastest and most affordable solution... which may include;

Updating your devices:   Ensure that your connected devices (computers, phones, TV, tablets etc.) have the latest operating system and browser versions.

Consider a router upgrade:   If your router is old, it may not be able to handle the latest broadband speeds.

Use a wi-fi extender:   If you have dead spots in your home, locating a wi-fi extender or 'repeater' in those areas may be the answer.

Install a wi-fi booster:   A wi-fi 'booster' does exactly what it says on the tin!   Connected by a short cable to the router, it amplifies or 'boosts' the signal.  

(Wi-fi boosters and extenders are more fully described in the main content below )

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Wi-fi extenders (or repeaters ) are connected to your router either wirelessly or, for the best results, via an Ethernet cable.

For stone built or listed properties, where drilling walls to run a cable may not be possible, there are adapters allowing the existing electricity circuits to be used instead of dedicated Ethernet

While extending the range, wi-fi repeaters potentially reduce the bandwidth (speed), as they are essentially creating a new network using a shared radio frequency.

'Dual channel' or 'dual band' repeaters address this issue by utilising two different frequencies. . .  one to communicate with the router, and the other to broadcast your wi-fi signal.   In either case there is always a little bandwidth reduction or increased 'latency' (the time it takes to process a signal ), which can make wi-fi extenders unsuitable for real-time gaming.

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