Top 5 Ways to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal

Broadband is a service that, at times, can cause much frustration; sometimes it can seem like a provider will only take you part of the way towards a fast connection, leaving it to the user to make adjustments to get the most out of what they are paying for.
Simply signing up to the best deal that you see advertised and taking no further action will assure you do not receive a provider’s full network potential, so here are the top five tips for maximizing your broadband by ‘boosting’ your Wi-Fi signal.

5. Stick to the Same Vendor

There are many different companies that offer a wide range of broadband products, and so it’s easy to get bombarded with choice. While not an officially recognized as a sure fire way of boosting Wi-Fi connection, sticking to the same brand of hardware does have a few advantages.
Many expert opinions suggest that same brand pieces of hardware harmonize with each other more efficiently than those of two different vendors.
Sticking to one brand can really pay off when it comes to customer support; there’s nothing more annoying than having to phone each separate company when something goes wrong- consulting one name will help you find the cause of the issue faster.
Whether it’s an attempt by the hardware companies to create customer loyalty or genuine cross-brand communication breakdown, sticking to one company’s range of Wi-Fi products is worth trying if you have the choice.

4) Buy a Signal Booster

A signal booster is one of the most simple (and oldest) ways of improving a Wi-Fi signal. There are many official branded signal boosters that operate via USB to deliver a much stronger connection. These boosters have been quoted as capable of increasing Wi-Fi signal by up to six hundred percent.

The average cost of branded USB aerial boosters is around one hundred pounds, but it’s no secret that a basic amplifier can be constructed from household objects like tin cans and even paper. Of course, these makeshift devices will not increase a signal’s strength like a proper aerial booster will, but they may go some way toward ‘aiming’ the signal towards computers, tablets and other Wi-Fi compatible products, establishing an improved connection.

3) Replace Your Antenna

The standard aerial that comes with most routers will be ‘omnidirectional’. These send the signal in every direction away from the router as a broad, unspecific method of transmission. This broad transmission could mean that if the router is positioned next to a wall, half of the ‘sphere’ of signal could be outside of your home. With a custom aerial, you can choose a different transmission pattern and also aim toward your devices.

2) Reduce Interference

A router’s signal can be effected or even disrupted by devices such as garage door controllers and baby monitors. Fortunately, wireless routers can broadcast using many different channels to these devices. It is a wise idea to alter it’s channel in order to prevent interference , this will give a more focused signal. You can change the channel of your router by logging into the accompanying software and following the instructions listed. Alternatively, you can contact your broadband supplier, who can talk you through the process.

1) Consider Your Router’s Location

The positioning of the router is arguably the most important thing to consider when trying to maximize signal strength. A simple thing to remember is that a signal can be blocked by obstacles around the house or office. The less obstacles the signal has to pass through, the the stronger it will be. Some experts recommend positioning the router in the centre of a building to give even coverage. Positioning a router too close to walls or even metal objects can severely effect signal strength.
It’s clear that many things need to be considered in order to truly make the most of your wireless broadband. These small steps will go a long way towards maximising this increasingly important factor of daily life.
This is a guest post on behalf of Broadband Choices, a leading UK broadband advice & comparison website.