Maximizing Your Wi-Fi Speed and Coverage at Home

Wi-Fi speed isn’t something you really think about – until your browser starts to misbehave and spins endlessly without uploading the webpage or you experience lags while live streaming videos. Well, you are not alone in experiencing these lapses as millions of users with Wi-Fis experience the same too.

To overcome this situation, you might need a router that delivers greater speeds to more devices and over greater distances. Innovations like the Wi-Fi 6 technology or the 160Mhz-capable routers which deliver greater coverage and capacity, could be what you need to improve speeds, lower latency and get better quality images and deliveries. Here’s a look at some more ways to maximise your Wi-Fi speed and coverage at home:

Place Your Router Correctly

Your wireless signals are affected by factors such as the number of connected devices, electronic interferences (from microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, etc), distance as well as obstacles along the way. Walls, floors and even ceilings can interfere with your Wi-Fi signals, which is why you should place your router in an open space and preferably above the furniture level. You could also point one antenna vertically and the other horizontally.

Update Your Technology

Experience fastest Gigabit speeds by up to 3x faster with the latest Wi-Fi 6 Standard. Switch over to routers with the latest hardware featuring Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) technology, the biggest leap since more than a decade. It enables faster speeds, lower latency3 and greater capacity4 in your routers, gateways and devices for home use.

Limit the Number of Connected Devices

When you know you will be engaging in high bandwidth-hogging activities like streaming videos, Zoom meetings or playing online games, prioritize the number of connected devices. You should also ensure that your router’s firmware and drivers are up-to-date.

Switch Channels and Frequencies

New generation routers operate at two frequencies – 5GHz and 2.4GHz, and each frequency has 30 and 14 channels, respectively. Smart wireless routers are able to auto-switch frequencies and channels for optimal transmissions.

Wireless Extenders

These devices help maximise Wi-Fi coverage and help cover the dead spots caused by thick walls or other physical barriers. You might want to use a wireless router extender too if you live in a double-story home.