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Celebrating a Big Milestone: How Small Change Can Make a Huge Difference
04 October 2024
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We all want our internet to go as fast as possible, right?
If your internet seems to be running slower than expected, or you're just curious to know if your speed is...well, up to speed, we have a few tips for you.
1. Run a speed test
The quickest way to find our if your internet is running slowly is to use an online speed test - the one we recommend is speedtest.net.
Before you do this, it's a good idea to check your nbn® plan to see how many Mbps it offers. Once you know your Mbps you can see where your current speed is sitting in relation to where it should be. For example, More's Standard Plan offers 25Mbps Typical Evening Speeds, while More's XXL Plan offers 92 Mbps Typical Evening Speeds. You will get the most accurate results from an online speed test if you connect your device to your modem with an ethernet cable and sit as close to the modem as possible.
2. Check your distance
If your router is located too far from your devices, or if there are walls and hallways between your router and devices, you may need to consider moving it. The best speed results will be found when the router is in a central location to all devices. If this isn't possible, you can purchase a Google Nest Wifi router* or a MESH Wifi system. These systems help to extend the reach of your router through the use of "satellites" and are a one-off purchase that can significantly extend the coverage throughout your home.
* PLEASE NOTE: GOOGLE NEST WIFI ROUTERS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE FOR FTTN
3. How many devices?
If you have a large family plus household devices that are all competing for the Wifi signal, you can either reduce the number of devices in your household or upgrade your nbn® plan to one which can handle your Wifi demands. Upgrading to a faster plan can be easily done in the customer self-care portal.
4. Where's your connection point?
Your nbn® connection point can affect your speed, with households connecting via Fibre-to-the-node (rather than Fibre-to-the-household) experiencing slower speed. Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do about this as the connection method for your area is determined by NBNCo. However, if you haven't had your nbn® connected yet, you can select a position in your home that will give you the best results.
Make sure the connection point is in the area you need the signal to be the strongest - it may be in your office, your living room or in one of your children's bedrooms. It should also be connected within 1.5 metres of an electrical outlet, in a cool, dry and ventilated area, and also be somewhere you don't plan to renovate.
5. Is there any interference?
While it sounds far-fetched, if you're experiencing slow internet speed your microwave could be the culprit. If your router is positioned near a device such as a microwave, cordless phone or other radio equipment, try locating it elsewhere.
6. Are you automatically updating software?
Software systems installed on your computer can be automatically updating without you knowing. Your systems can take hours to update, and they could be using up the bulk of your bandwidth. It’s a good idea to ensure that your computer does not update software without your permission. Check your computer settings and take control of software updates.
7. How old is your modem?
If your modem is getting a little outdated, it may be worthwhile investing in a new one. Alternatively, check if your current modem software can be updated. If you do replace your modem, remember that there are many electronic recycling points for you to take your well-worn friend rather than placing it in general waste.
8. Checking your VPN
VPN - Virtual Private Network are a great security measure but it can slow down your internet speed. This is especially true for free VPNs. You can choose to pay for a VPN that doesn't impact your nbn® speed, or turn off your VPN at non-critical times.
9. nbn® outages
When the nbn® has a network fault or are upgrading or working on services in your area, you're likely to experience slow speeds or even outages. At More, we advise our customers of any planned outages in their areas prior to them occurring, but sometimes there are unplanned outages. However, if you're experiencing unexplained difficulties, contact our customer service team. It helps if you have your modem make, model and MAC address available for our team to log with nbn® for investigation.
10. Are you with More?
The final top tip is to sign up to More. More is an award winning, premium provider of nbn®, phone, mobile & data services to homes and businesses across Australia.
Discover More here.
