EXPERT INSIGHT
How to ensure you’ve got good Wi-fi
Tayyab Farid, home tech expert at BT, chats to us about the must-dos when setting up your home Wi-fi network
The average home now has 28 devices
connected to Wi-fi and with homes becoming smarter, that number is on the rise. We recently revealed research that over three-quarters of Brits claim that a strong Wi-fi contributes to a healthy work-life balance, so the need for a reliable in-home connection has never been greater.
Choosing the right broadband package can make the biggest impact on your Wi-fi performance. If it’s available in your area, opt for a full fibre connection that runs directly into your home and, on average, is 25 times faster than superfast fibre, offering a more reliable connection. Unlike older broadband, you don’t share this connection with your neighbours, meaning that your speed won’t drop out, even during peak times. If it’s not yet available in your area, go for the highest speed you can get.
You may need a new socket installed if you are upgrading to a full fibre connection – your provider will arrange this for you when ordering. It’s also worth thinking about where best to place this new socket, as ideally you’ll want to connect your hub directly, rather than using an extension cable as this can slow down speed and performance. In terms of the best router to buy, first see what your provider offers as part of the package. If it comes with enhanced security features or has been endorsed by a third party, it’s worth sticking with. It’s best to position your hub in the middle of your home, as this reduces the number of walls the Wi-fi signal must travel through. Once you’re more than two walls away from your hub, it has to work harder and your speeds may be affected.
Location is key – try to avoid positioning the hub on a window ledge, as the hub broadcasts Wi-fi in all directions, meaning that half of your signal will go outside. Metal objects can also reflect or disperse the signal, so avoid placing it behind a TV or close to anything with a reflective surface. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, it’s best to leave your hub on all of the time, this will mean better performance for your connection and your devices.
Investing in a mesh system is advisable if you have a larger home, as you may find that your router is not quite powerful enough to reach the furthest parts of your house. There are many products available to help extend your Wi-fi network, but the best solution is a mesh system. The mesh system will consist of additional Wi-fi discs, which connect to your hub and create a single, seamless network throughout your home.