What Affects My Internet?
We’re Wi-Fi network distribution experts, meaning we know what’s needed to ensure customers receive the best speeds from their Wi-Fi setups. But what affects your internet? Let’s discuss.
The first aspect that can affect speed is how you’re connected. A cable connection will always be quicker, so if your Wi-Fi speed is not up to scratch, consider connecting using an ethernet cable. Hardware is another factor, as older devices and computers will struggle because of a slower processor.
An old router likely won’t support the current internet standard or connection speeds and will have a weaker antenna, resulting in poor wireless performance. The router’s location may also be a factor, especially if it’s too far away from where you’re trying to connect or there are too many obstacles between you and the router.
Malware can also lurk in the background, using valuable processing speed, which will slow down the rest of your device’s performance, impacting your connection speed.
Of course, you must also consider other factors, such as your choice of web browser or the host server. You can always change to a different browser but can’t do much about the host server. Lastly, consider network traffic and your broadband speed.
If your demands or the number have users have increased, consider upgrading to a faster package.
Can Building Work Affect Wi-Fi?
While Wi-Fi is easily one of the biggest innovations of the modern era, it’s not without its drawbacks. For one, Wi-Fi signals can be easily disrupted or even blocked by anything from concrete and steel structures to furniture and household appliances and gadgets. Building work can, therefore, affect Wi-Fi, depending on where the work is taking place.
For instance, if building work is being carried out to add metal, concrete walls, or plaster metal lath, this can cause disruption if the new structure blocks the signals from the router. Metal conducts electricity, and as radio waves are electromagnetic, metal absorbs them. Concrete walls are often too thick, and the metal in plaster metal laths has a similar effect to steel.
Other factors associated with building work that can also impact performance are ceramic tiles, windows & tinted glass, and drywall. So, if any building work is scheduled, you may need to consider how this will impact your Wi-Fi setup. You might have to move your router, upgrade your speed, or switch to wired connections to compensate.
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Can Wi-Fi Be Affected by Weather?
Even something as advanced as Wi-Fi is not immune to the effects of Mother Nature. Depending on what type of internet you have, adverse weather conditions can slow your connection speed and even result in a total outage.
No wireless connection is immune, no matter how fast the connection is. Rain and snow are prolific when it comes to directly impacting wireless signals, and even wired signals, though highly resilient, aren’t immune either. A power outage resulting from a storm will cripple all connection types, leading to significantly reduced performance or a complete outage, depending on which end the power failure occurs.
Satellite internet is especially vulnerable as signals travel the farthest through the atmosphere and require outdoor equipment that’s susceptible to storm damage.
Storms are the most common cause of internet outages, shutting down your equipment and knocking out important infrastructure near your house. Even if you had a generator to power your computer and home network, you likely still wouldn’t be able to connect.
The good news is that the internet is built with redundancies in place. Even if cables, antennae, or other infrastructure are physically damaged, the interruptions are usually localised and quickly repaired or bypassed. If your internet fails for more than a few hours, contact your ISP, and they’ll handle the situation.
Can Electrical Appliances Interfere with Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi signals are fairly robust, but even so, there are plenty of electrical devices and appliances in the average home that can play havoc with them. These devices or appliances don’t even need to be Wi-Fi-enabled to cause a problem. The most significant interference is caused by mobile phone infrastructure, such as cordless phones, Bluetooth headsets, etc.
These transmit their own radio signals and can cause interference, impacting your Wi-Fi network’s performance.
Other household objects can also cause problems, such as microwave ovens. Microwaves, though shielded, still produce a lot of interference while in operation. You’ll notice while watching a show on a tablet that it might start buffering when the microwave is heating something.
Some baby monitors can also cause problems as they, once again, broadcast their own signal, which can conflict with your Wi-Fi network. Other factors to consider include Smart Home appliances, Smart Meters, and anything that produces a significant electromagnetic field. This includes some types of LCD monitors and displays or cable or direct satellite service infrastructure.
Check Out Our Services Today!
Here at Abacus Aerials, we offer a wide range of services. One of these services is the installation of high-speed Wi-Fi networks in homes and businesses. We’ve discussed many issues that can impact the Wi-Fi speeds above, and these are factors we consider when designing your Wi-Fi network.
We have access to a range of technologies and carry out all required work, ensuring you receive the best possible performance from your network. Our team understand the fundamentals and levy their knowledge and experience to provide clients with a stable, high-performance Wi-Fi connection.
For a FREE quotation, pick up the phone and call Abacus Aerials today on 07780 186 085.
