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5 Great Tips For Improving Internet Connection in Rural Areas

Are you that person who’s screaming at your computer to make it go faster?  Does it annoy you when the kids are on Netflix and you’re trying desperately to work?  Or maybe you can only get internet in some of the rooms in your property and not others and cannot fathom it out.

Black Nova Designs 5 great tips for improving internet connection in rural areas will ensure you are getting the most out of your service, so that you can download that recipe on Google, and still make that business skype call while the kids are on the PS4!

5 great tips for improving internet connection in rural areas

  1. Reposition or upgrade your router

The position of your router can play a vital role in the performance of your internet and Wi-Fi.  Placing it near or behind other devices, such as TV’s & Microwaves, or stuffing it in a cupboard can drastically decrease the performance of your connection.

It’s really important to work out where you need most of your wireless network coverage. It might be your home office, living room, or even the kid’s bedrooms. Placing your router in an open space, the higher up the better, such as a hallway is an optimal location.

If this just isn’t possible, there are alternative solutions, such as WiFi access points (WAPs). These will help boost the dead spots that those non-optimal places might create.

Also, If you can’t recall how old your router is, it’s possible that you may need to upgrade as it may not be able to support the technology you now have in your property.  Interestingly not all modems and routers are designed to support larger homes either.  So if you’ve moved from a one bedroom flat to a fabulous 4 bedroom detached home, your router just might not cut the mustard anymore.

It’s also a known fact that modems and routers do go extinct all the time, particularly as higher speeds and Wi-Fi standards come to market.  As the technology grows, so do new features designed to support more devices and provide you with a better connection, something your old router might not be able to do, and instead it might just buckle under the strain. Ultimately if you are looking for a secure home network, you need a top-tier Wi-Fi router.

  1. Identify the problem

Many problems can be a wireless issue, as opposed to the internet connection itself.  We’ve seen many cases where the internet speed coming into a property has been stable and very good.  The problem has been with the wireless signal not performing well causing a decrease in internet speed.  It’s always best to test your internet speed using an Ethernet cable first before calling your Internet Service Provider.

  1. Check your bill and make that call 

Checking your bill to find out what it is you are actually paying for each month is vital.  We always advise that you call your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to check you are getting the best possible service for your area.  You will not be upgraded to fibre unless you ask, so it’s always worth a call to find out.

  1. Consider a Wireless Internet Service Provider

You may have seen Internet Service Providers (ISP) advertise wireless broadband for your home.  With this type of service, several people can get online at once, making it brilliant for those busy households.

You would need an antenna and modem set up that would let you communicate with the provider’s antenna, and it works on the same principle as a cordless phone.  The wireless router converts incoming signals and broadcasts them. This signal is then picked up by your wireless-enabled devices, such as your home PC, laptop, and tablets etc., giving you wireless broadband connectivity throughout the property.

The one challenge is that your antenna needs to have a clear line-of-sight to the service provider’s antenna.  If there are any trees or buildings in the way, you could get little or no service.

The service speeds with wireless broadband aren’t nearly as fast as with fibre or cable, for the same reason that your Wi-Fi isn’t as fast as being connected to an actual network cable.  It is, however, a great option for rural homes and cottages where there isn’t a cable of digital subscriber line installed.

  1. When it all goes wrong – don’t hit the reset button too soon!

Most routers have a “hard reset” button, a small area on the back that can be accessed via a pushpin or a paper clip.  This returns the unit to its default settings, losing all the information that was entered by the user during its configuration, information such as the ISP username, password, IP addresses, security keys, as well as the ports and services that were opened.

So if it is all going pear-shaped and you are about to hit the reset button, it’s always good to be prepared, as it could create more work than you had initially planned.  Remember to take note of the information listed above in advance, it will mean doing a hard reset won’t be quite so painful!

When it comes to putting some of these measures into practice if you are still experiencing unwanted difficulties with your internet connection it may be that you need some additional help.  If you want to stream movies around your home, or just want a secure network that allows you to work from your home office without the disruption of drop-outs, Contact Black Nova Designs Ltd for a free consultation. We can help you design and install the latest technology just for you.

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