Whether it's for emailing, shopping, downloading music or watching TV, the internet is becoming an increasingly central part of our every day lives. Yet around three million households in the UK are battling with slow download speeds which in many cases, is restricting what they can use the internet for.
The Government has said that by 2012 every household will receive broadband download speeds of at least two megabits (MB) per second because it regards internet access as an essential utility. In our latest video interview Alex Salter from SamKnows, a specialist broadband consultancy, discusses how the Government intends to meet its 2Mb a year target in more depth.
However, with its self-imposed deadline still three years away and many broadband users needing faster speeds immediately we look at some of the tactics that can be employed to enjoy a better broadband service now:
Know the speed you're on
Before improving your connection you'll need to know how good your existing service is. Use the moneysupermarket.com broadband speed test to determine your speed.
Remember that the package you pay for probably advertises faster speeds than those you're receiving. O2 is the most consistent performer of the "up to 8Mb" deals on the market - and even it only returns average rates of 4.2Mb according to our quarterly speed test results.
Will switching help?
One solution for slow speeds is to jump to a broadband deal that offers faster download rates. Though it is unlikely to produce the rate advertised it should at least represent an improvement on your existing deal if it had a lower advertised rate.
However, this improvement will generally come at a price. Virgin Media is the only provider in the UK currently offering fibre optic broadband with speeds up to 50Mb, which allows songs to be downloaded in one second. The deal is far from cheap, however - it costs £50 a month, although you can reduce this to £35 a month if you agree to bundle your broadband with a Virgin phone deal. What's more, availability is still fairly limited so depending on where you live, you may not be able to get it.
Be Broadband has the next fastest rate - it is offering speeds up to 24Mb for £17.50 a month. As an added incentive, if you apply for the deal before June 30 you can pick up £24 of Amazon.com vouchers.
BT, the country's biggest broadband provider, is about to start upgrading the download speeds its 4.8million customers receive from 8Mb to 20Mb. Not everyone will benefit however because it depends on how close to the local exchange you live as to whether you'll be able to pick up the new super-fast service - BT plans to have 55% of the country covered by the end of next year. This means that customers even on its cheapest deal - Option One which costs £15.65 a month - could enjoy these faster speeds.
However, while the upgrade itself won't cost customers anything they will have to sign up to another 12-month contract with BT.
There are other options for those looking for a faster connection. For example, O2 advertises speeds up to 20Mb on its Pro deal costing £17.13 a month for O2 customers and £22.02 a month for everyone else. If you're not worried about mega fast speeds but do want reliability, then its 8Mb Standard deal costs just £7.34 a month for O2 customers and £12.23 a month for all others.
How can you improve an existing connection?
You don't necessarily have to switch to a more expensive package to enjoy faster speeds. There are a number of things which effect how fast or slow an internet connection may be from the weather, to the time of day, to how many people are using the internet in your area at the time. Some of these factors however, can even be controlled by the user. Here are some tips:
Stick to the fair usage policy:
Remember that your internet speed may be cut by your provider if you exceed its fair use policy. Contact the provider and ask how this can be avoided in the future - it may recommend moving you to a different package, for example.
Clear the area:
Make sure there are no electrical devices that could be interfering with your connection - keep your modem and wiring well away from mains power cables.
Get a new modem or router:
High capacity cables and modems can help you enjoy a faster connection. If you think your hardware is slowing you down contact your broadband provider - it may be willing to swap it for free.
Switch off your router:
Many home users now have wireless routers to connect various laptops and PCs in a home to a single connection. However, when you're only using the main computer to which the internet is directly connected, turn the router off as it could slow your connection down.
Make sure the router is encrypted:
A neighbour could be sneakily using your internet connection and slowing you down. Make sure your router is encrypted by following our wireless security guide.
Optimise your settings:
Are you using the latest versions of web browsers such as Internet Explorer and Firefox? Download them to bring your computer up to date and then go to the options menu where you can clear temporary internet files and cookies, as well as choose the types of downloads you require - for example you can stop videos playing on web pages if you don't want to view them.
Check for viruses:
Viruses, spyware and adware can cause problems so make sure you have up to date software. Many broadband providers include anti-virus software as part of their packages but these are usually trial offers only. If you don't want to pay extra there are free versions of most anti-virus programmes available at download.com.
Use micro-filters:
Micro-filters plug into the phone and socket providing two connections - one for the phone and one for the internet. This prevents one line interfering with the other.
Install a BT I-Plate:
Available for around £8, the I-Plate reduces interference if you have more than one socket connected to the same phone line. It is easy to install and could improve your broadband speeds by as much as 4Mb.
Move closer to an exchange:
The closer you are to a telephone exchange the more likely you are to enjoy fast speeds. The SamKnows website includes an exchange search allowing you to look for the nearest exchange to you. It's something you might want to factor in if you rely on the internet and are considering moving home.
What if your broadband package still isn't delivering?
If you have a complaint about your broadband service, take it up with the provider directly. It may be that the provider can explain your issue and may work on a compromise - perhaps by moving you to a cheaper deal or a faster package.
However, if you don't get a satisfactory response you can contact the Office of Telecommunications Ombudsman at otelo.org.uk. This provides a free and independent service to sort out disagreements and if it rules in your favour may ask the provider to offer a different product, financial compensation or a service that will benefit you.
Disclaimer: Please note that any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing. Products underlined can be applied for directly.
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