How To Increase Your Broadband Speed

• 1. How To Boost Your Internet Speed
• 2. Adjust your browser settings Upgrading to the latest browser version, currently Internet Explorer 7, or use a different browser, such as Mozilla Firefox You could reduce the time it takes to download a page Always be careful when making any changes to the settings on your computer. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 3. Talk to your provider If the speed is exceptionally slow, you might be able to boost your connection simply by asking your ISP if there’s anything they can do to speed things up If you’ve been on the same package for a long time, it’s probably outdated, so ask your provider if you can be upgraded if you agree to re-contract. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 4. Tweak your router settings Most routers are like your car’s onboard computer and can be tweaked and adjusted to open up ports and increase speeds Read your router’s manual for details on how to improve performance. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 5. Hate thy neighbour Make sure that you’re not sharing your wireless internet connection with other people on your street or in nearby flats Set up a WPA encryption if your hardware is compatible At the very least have a WEP password to stop unauthorised connections to your internet. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 6. Reduce your bandwidth overhead There are a whole range of applications that will discretely use your internet connection. Most of these are set to automatically start up when you log into your computer Always opt to give permission before an application runs, or set things to run at more convenient times - like only downloading podcasts at night © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 7. Change your hardware BT Wholesale showed that changing from one standard ADSL modem to another can reduce speed 20% Faulty equipment can cause a drop in speed from 4Mb to only 470Kb BT Wholesale is advising the use of interstitial plates. These small boxes are easy to install and work to reduce electrical interference. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 8. Get a better router If you’re using the router that you got free from your ISP, you could benefit from getting a higher range one that will give you a stronger signal if you’re connecting wirelessly You should also bear in mind that the less things blocking the signal of your router, such as doors and walls, the better. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 9. Speed up your WiFi If you use wireless, you could replace the aerial. For around £10 you can buy an aerial of 9dBi, which can increase signal strength by 30-50%. You can also buy a wireless access point, which acts as a router, extending the reach of your wireless signal without reducing its strength. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 10. Ditch your wireless 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 Even the type of cable that you use to connect can make a speed difference - connecting to your router via an Ethernet cable will be more efficient than using a USB cable. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 11. Get closer to the faceplate The further your modem is from the faceplate (the socket your modem connects to), the weaker your broadband will be. Your modem should be as close to the broadband entry point in your home as possible. If you're on an ADSL connection up to 8Mb, moving your modem closer to the faceplate can increase your internet speed by up to 3Mb If your computer is on another floor or in a different room, you should invest in a good quality Ethernet cable to connect your wireless router or PC to the modem. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 12. Monitor download programmes BBC iPlayer and Channel 4oD continue to run in the background of your PC even after you think you’ve turned them off They will not only slow you down - they’ll also use up your download allowance. Make sure you quit them fully when you close them With programmes like BBC's iPlayer, remember to check the settings. You'll want to make sure it is set to "no peer to peer.“ This way others on the network using iPlayer will not have access to yours. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk
• 13. Switch If you still find that your connection is slow, it might mean that your package just doesn’t support your needs Use the BroadbandChoices.co.uk comparison service to compare prices and to find a more suitable package. © 2008 BroadbandChoices.co.uk