Why Your WiFi is Slow

Why is Your WiFi Slow?

Slow Wi-Fi can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you're trying to get work done or up against a deadline. In this blog post, we'll detail some common reasons for slow internet speeds, and provide some workarounds and solutions to help you get back up to speed.

Incorrect Internet Product: Broadband vs Direct Internet Access

When it comes to internet connectivity, not all products are created equal. Let's compare the two most common products, broadband and direct internet access.

• Broadband. This is the most basic type of connectivity, offering contended internet access along the existing PSTN network (currently being replaced with fibre). While Broadband is the more affordable option, speeds can be slower, users compete for bandwidth, and uploading can be difficult. This product is really only suitable for very small businesses with minimal internet requirements, and is mostly offered on the consumer market. If you're using a broadband product for an office of 5 or more heads, you're likely to experience slow speeds.
• Direct Internet Access. DIA is also known as Leased Line connectivity. It offers, as the name suggests, direct, uncontended access to the internet, with synchronous upload and download speeds. Speeds can range up to 10Gbps, and the fibre can come right up to the premises, with no data carried over copper. These connections are more reliable, require less frequent maintenance, and have minimal lag. Leased Lines are ideal for larger businesses, particularly those with heavier data usage.

Outdated Network Kit

Old Network Kit can significantly impact your speeds. Consider when was the last time you upgraded your switching, firewalls, and access points? We recommend replacing them every 5-8 years, depending on your usage.

If your kit is brand new, it's worth thinking about the placement of your router and access points. Consider them centrally to ensure better coverage. Avoid obstructions like walls or shelves that could weaken the signal. Open-plan offices will generally have better coverage due to fewer barriers between the desks.

Bandwidth Hogs

Certain devices or programmes can hog bandwidth, slowing down your entire network. Here's how to tackle this:

• Identify culprits. Check which devices or applications are consuming excessive bandwidth. Streaming videos, large downloads, or cloud backups can be bandwidth-intensive.
• Quality-of-Service: Configure your router's QoS settings to prioritise critical tasks (e.g. Teams Video Meetings), over less essential activities (video streaming).

In summary, slow WiFi can result from a varied range of factors, including outdated equipment, network congestion, and bandwidth hungry devices. Consider upgrading to faster or more appropriate internet plans, optimising your network kit, and managing bandwidth usage. Remember that reliable internet is absolutely critical to business operations, so make sure to future-proof your set up when you do upgrade.

Mason Infotech help business to find the best business broadband deals in the UK. We are one of the country's most trusted business broadband companies, and have been helping to set up business WiFi for over 20 years. So next time you find yourself asking 'Why is my WiFi slow', reach out to a trusted business internet provider like Mason Infotech.