Checking Internet Speeds

If you have Broadband at home you will be paying for a package that offers a level of service. The higher level of service, the higher the cost. Packages are advertised as standard, fast, superfast for example, but also give you an indication of the speed you should get, for example, 10, 35 or 67mbps. You are not guaranteed this speed, but during the signup process you will be given an average speed for your area. It all depends on how far away you are from the exchange or fibre box in the street.

So, what does 10mbps mean and how do you check your Internet speed? 

Watching TV over the Internet is probably the most intensive and bandwidth hungry application you use. According to Netflix, you need a minimum of 5mbps to watch a movie in full high definition. The BBC say the same for high definition, but their standard catch-up service works as low as 1.5mbps, so a 10mbps Internet connection should be plenty to watch TV. But are you getting that and how do you test?

Firstly, you must test your speed while you are in close proximity to your router. The further you move away, the weaker the signal will get, as the strength of the signal drops, so does the speed. So, if your router is upstairs in a bedroom plugged into your Master Socket, then you will get lower speeds downstairs. 

If you are testing the speed on a laptop, open a browser and go to www.speedtest.net (Speedtest by Ookla), then click on GO. Try testing a few times and maybe at different times of the day and don’t forget, you must be next to the router. If you are testing on a mobile phone, many have their own speed test app already installed, but if not, you can always download the free “Speedtest by Ookla” app from your app store.

Now that you know what speed you are getting next to the router, move to where you normally use your device and try the speed test again. And don’t forget, if you are using a smart TV or TV box for catchup TV, Netflix or Amazon Prime etc, test the speed next to your TV.

But what if you are getting a good speed next to the router, say 10mbps, but next to the TV or where you normally use your device, it has dropped to 2mbps, what can you do?

There are a couple of options you could take. Using a phone extension to move your router closer to where you use it generally doesn’t work and your supplier wouldn’t support that either, the router must be plugged into your Master Socket. But you can buy a Wireless Extender or a pair power line adapters for around £50.

A Wireless Extender, like the TP-Link Deco just plugs into any power socket in the house, somewhere between the router and where you normally use the Internet. It’s fairly easy to install and basically boosts the Wi-Fi signal. If you choose the right location, in a normal 3 bedroom house, you should get the same speed all-round the house, 10mpbs in the above example.

A pair of Powerline adapters (like the TP-Link AV600) works by running the signal through the house wiring. Plug one adapter into a socket near the router and a special cable (an ethernet cable) runs between the router and powerline adapter. Plug the other adapter into a socket in the room you normally use your Internet, this again will boost your wifi in that location. If you plug it in behind the TV, you can run another ethernet cable to the Smart TV or TV Box.