EIGHT in 10 internet users have experienced “Wi-Fi rage” in the past year due to slow speeds or dropouts.
That’s more than 21 million households who are “angry and frustrated” with poor service, according to a study by London-based provider Community Fiber.
8/10 internet users have experienced “wifi rage” in the past year due to slow speeds or dropouts
Disturbances and signal failures cause despair for a third of Internet users on a weekly basis.
Harriet Cooke examines how to overcome broadband signal problems and get a refund for poor service.
Test your broadband speed
Try a free broadband test to check your speed and compare it to what your provider promises.
The speedtest.net tool shows you how fast your connection is at the push of a button.
You should try it both at peak times of the evening and at quieter times of the day.
Alex Tofts, broadband expert at Broadband Genie, said: “For a typical two-person household, aim for a minimum speed of 30MB and add an additional 10MB per user.”
“If you have kids who love to play, or multiple people who want to watch TV in different rooms at the same time, you might want to consider something faster.”
If you don’t get the promised speed, call your supplier.
If the problem can’t be fixed within 30 days, you can cancel your contract without paying an early termination fee as long as you’re not the culprit — if you keep your router in a closet, for example.
If you’re looking for a new deal, most comparison sites will let you see which companies offer the best speeds in your area.
It’s also worth checking reviews of local fiber broadband providers, as some offer very high speeds and good customer service.
Try moving your wireless router
ROUTERS typically have a range of between 20 and 50 meters.
You can help ensure the signal reaches all parts of your home by making sure your router is in the right place.
WiFi doesn’t work well through thick walls, so ideally you should place the device in the middle of your home, somewhere fairly high up and close to your computer and TV streaming box.
Avoid putting it by the window as outdoor broadcasting will waste the signal, and don’t turn it on and off unnecessarily as it will slow down the speed.
You can achieve faster speeds by using a cable called an Ethernet cable from your router to your computer.
You may have one in the box with your router, or buy one online for around five bucks.
When using your computer, close programs and windows that you are not using, such as B. TV streaming apps like BBC iPlayer and websites that automatically play ads.
If you have antivirus software installed, pause security scans until the end of the day before shutting down the computer.
Alex says: “Most wireless routers have two frequencies. You can switch between them in your computer’s settings. Search the “Help” function to find out how to do this.
“The usual setting is 2.4GHz, while moving to 5GHz delivers faster speeds but less range, so you just have to move your computer closer.”
Get a signal booster
If you’re having trouble connecting to WiFi in some parts of your home, try a WiFi booster such as Wi-Fi. B. the one from Netgear for £25 on Amazon.
Alternatively, you can use a powerline adapter, which is a cable that sends the signal to different rooms and costs around £35.
If your connection is spotty in some rooms, you can upgrade to what’s called a “mesh wifi system” for around £200, which uses different routers and satellites to distribute the signal throughout the house.
If you tell your provider that some rooms aren’t getting a signal, they may send you a free booster or help you find one that’s compatible with your setup.
Some providers offer services that guarantee whole-home WiFi coverage, such as BT’s Complete add-on, but at an additional cost of £5 per month.
Nick Hunn, an expert at technology consultancy WiFore, says, “If you’ve had your router for more than five years, you’ll likely see an improvement if you replace it with a newer one.”
Ask your supplier for a newer model before spending any money.
However, some of the free routers offered by some providers aren’t as good as others, so it might be worth upgrading if your speeds are still slow.
The mid-range TP-Link Archer AX10 (AX1500) router is well tested and costs £60.
Request a refund for defects
If your broadband connection is down or slow, report the problem to your provider as soon as possible.
And document how long your service has been down or running slowly.
To compensate, ask for a credit to your account.
Most providers will automatically charge you £9.33 if the service is unrepaired two full working days after you reported it, and then £9.33 for each full day the service is still unrepaired.
You may also have the right to go unpunished for ongoing service problems.
Beware, major 3G shutdown
MILLIONS of people with older cell phones could lose internet access as carriers begin phasing out 3G internet signals this month.
The switch to faster 4G and 5G services could mean that 5.5 million mobile users are unable to get online because their mobile phones are not compatible, regulator Ofcom estimates.
Before deciding on a new phone network, use Ofcom’s Mobile Checker app to find out which provider offers the best network coverage.Source: Alamy
Other devices, including some personal alarm systems for the elderly, also rely on 3G and may stop working.
Vodafone will start shutting down this month, while EE and Three will start next year.
O2 has announced that it will phase out 3G by 2033. Smaller operators like Giffgaff and Tesco Mobile are joining the big four and will lose 3G as those networks transition.
For £50 you can buy a basic 4G compatible smartphone new or a better refurbished model.
MoneySavingExpert.com’s mobile finder tool can help you find the right mobile phone for your budget and needs.
For now, O2 seems to be the best bet as the company has yet to set a 3G shutdown date. If your phone loses access to 3G, you can make calls and send text messages, but you won’t be able to access the internet.
Telecoms trade association Mobile UK said: “Providers have taken steps to contact customers and guide them through this transition.”
Ofcom said: “We have told mobile networks what to do to ensure support is available to those who need it.”
Before you decide on a new telephone network, use Ofcom’s Mobile Checker app to find out which provider offers the best network coverage in your area.
outrage at failures
PERMANENT broadband outages have become the bane of Janine McDonald’s life.
The business owner needs a stable internet connection as she runs her clearing business ‘cleartheclutternow.co.uk’ from home.
Broadband outages had become the bane of Janine McDonald’s lifeCredit: Delivered
But she feels fobbed off by her provider Now Broadband, who she pays £20 a month.
Janine, 52, from Salford, Gtr Manchester says: “Every time I call I have to run speed tests and cycle my router. But I still get dropouts almost every day where my signal is going. It keeps interrupting my work and sometimes I don’t realize that important emails weren’t sent because I lost my connection.
“I wish they would send someone to check this but I was told I would have to pay a fee to do so. I’m done.”
Broadband now said they had run several tests and concluded that there was nothing wrong with their line.
But after Sun Money intervened, the company agreed to send a technician to look for the cause of the problems.
