Maximise Your Fibre

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR FIBRE CONNECTION

We are confident that your fibre connection is the best broadband connection you can get, though there are a range of factors that can affect the performance you get from your broadband service at home. These factors broadly fall into two categories – those that relate to the network connections involved in delivering the broadband service to your home and those that relate to the network and environment in your home.The great news is that by choosing a fibre broadband service, you’ve already addressed one possible local network connection factor and now have an ultra-fast, super reliable broadband service coming into your home.

Check out this handy guide below that can help you get
the most from your fibre connection!

YOUR WI-FI ROUTER CAN BE POSITIONED TOO FAR AWAY FROM CONNECTED DEVICES

The distance between your devices and your wireless modem can dramatically affect your Wi-Fi performance. The impact can be heightened by interference such as what your walls are made of (concrete, brick, steel framing) and other objects (fish tanks, hot water cylinders).

Test: If your internet device has an indicator of the strength of your Wi-Fi signal, compare the signal strength where you usually use your internet device with the signal strength when positioned close to the wireless modem. Conduct a speed test where you usually use your device and compare it to a speed test done approximately one meter away from your wireless modem. You can search online for a speed testing website

Possible solutions to this issue:

If you have structured Ethernet wiring in your home, consider moving the router to an outlet point closer to where you use your devices the most, or in the centre of your home.
Consider purchasing an additional wireless access point (think of it as a Wi-Fi extender). This can be positioned in the part of your home with poor Wi-Fi coverage or where additional capacity is required, and should be connected back to your primary wireless router via an Ethernet cable. The new access point will need to be configured with your network name and password so devices can automatically connect to the best access point.

DEVICES CAN BE TOO OLD OR HAVE SOFTWARE INSTALLED THAT CAN REDUCE BROADBAND PERFORMANCE

Old devices, or certain types of software installed on your devices, can have an impact on broadband performance. In some cases, your entire home network will reconfigure itself to perform at the level of the lowest performing device.

Test: Disconnect all devices from your Wi-Fi network, or switch them off. Source a new device (preferably less than a year old) and use this to conduct a speed test to see if performance is improved using this device.

Possible solutions to this issue:

Remove any unnecessary apps or software from your internet devices. Depending on your device, this will involve different steps.
Consider only connecting newer internet devices to your home network.

WIRELESS ROUTER MAY BE OUTDATED AND LIMITING YOUR PERFORMANCE

If you’re using a wireless modem that is not provided by us, it may be too old or not appropriate for use with a fibre broadband service. The current standard for wireless modems that are appropriate for use with a fibre broadband connection is the 802.11ac standard.

Test: Check that your router is of an appropriate standard. This is likely to be listed in the features on the wireless router box as either “802.11AC” or “AC”. You should be all good if you’re using the router we provided/purchased from us. If not, you may need to check by contacting your service provider.

Possible solutions to this issue:

Use the wireless router your Internet Service Provider can provided.
Shop around for a different router.

OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES IN OR AROUND THE HOME CAN INTERFERE WITH A WI-FI SIGNAL

Interference to a Wi-Fi signal can be caused by a range of other electrical devices that are common in or around the home. Devices that may cause interference include transmitting devices (such as neighbouring Wi-Fi networks, cordless phones, baby monitors and Bluetooth devices) and other electrical devices (such as halogen desk lamps, dimmer switches, speakers and even electric fences).

Test: Check your Wi-Fi signal strength and conduct a speed test while other devices are on. Then compare these to the signal strength and a speed test when all other devices are turned off and disconnected from the power.

Possible solutions to this issue:

Ensure all unnecessary electrical devices are turned off when not in use or are removed from the environment.
Reduce the number of electrical devices in your home; particularly those that are positioned near your wireless modem, or between it and where you use your connected devices.