Use micro-filters on all phone sockets
Make sure you plug in micros to all sockets. If there are any that you are unsure about – old or damaged – look to replace them.
Make sure your usage is within your ISP limits
An obvious one if you’re not on an “unlimited” package. If you go over your data download limit, your ISP may “throttle back” your speed. , Check your ISP account to review your usage and consider changing your package if you need a larager allowance.
Talk to your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
OK, you’ll probably have a long wait on hold, but it’s important to get your ISP to check that there aren’t any major problems at the exchange or on your line before you look at anything within your farm office. This is particularly important if you’ve noticed a recent deterioration is your farm broadband speed.
Here’s an example from my own experience: Over a period of a few weeks, my broadband speed had slowly degraded from it’s usual level. I rang my ISP who told me to connect my router to the main socket and then conducted various tests. These checks didn’t show any problem, so they agreed call out a BT engineer (with the warning that if my wiring was the cause, I’d be charged a fee). The BT engineer duly visited and found some corroded connector wires in the exterior box on my house. The problem was quickly fixed.
It’s worth noting that your speed doesn’t instantly recover after a problem like this; it actually takes a few days to return to “normal”. Over the course of this problem, I found the next tip below
Leave your router switched on all the time
If you’re regularly switching your wireless router off at night or turning it off/on to try and solve another problem, chances are you’ve been unintentionally degrading the speed. At the telephone exchange, this looks like your connection has been dropping out. The system at the exchange thinks that the repeated disconnections are because your line can’t support the current speed and responds by applying a speed reduction. Further disconnections will result in more step-downs in speed, so compounding your problems. Leaving your wirelss router on permanently prevents this situation occuring.
Fit a BT iPlate (aka BT Broadband Accelerator)
This is a easy-to-fit and low-cost device,developed by BT,which can improve the speed and stability of a broadband connection. It does this by reducing electrical interference on your telephone extension wiring. This interference comes from everyday electrical appliances in the home.
BT claim that tests on 36000 lines showed an speed increase up to 1.5Mbps. Now that’s worth having if you’re out in the sticks! The device also gets positive reviews on Amazon – just search for “BT Broadband Accelerator”. It costs around £7, so it’s definitely worth a punt. A video on how to fit the Accelerator to your BT Master Socket can be found here.
The only drawback is that the device doesn’t work on all types of Master socket – you need it to be a split-plate type. Unfortunately, my own master socket at home is the wrong type, otherwise I would definitely have given it a go.
Keep your Web browsing software updated
Make sure you are using the latest version of your preferred Web browsing program like Windows Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Safari. New browser versions often include enhancements that reduce the time it takes for web pages to load. You will also receive the latest security features.
Secure your Wi-Fi
An unsecured Wi-Fi network or poor signal can degrade your broadband connection, as well as running the risk of someone else hijacking your network. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your router or ask your ISP for help if they supplied your router.
Put your Wi-Fi router in the best place
This is not so easy and will almost always involve compromise. There are two areas to consider here: the best place for the incoming broadband signal and the best place for the Wi-Fi signal.
For the broadband signal, try to plug your router into your BT master socket if possible (this is likely to the one nearest to where the phone line comes into your property and may have a split-plate cover. Also try not use use DIY telephone extension cables as these can degrade the broadband signal further.
For the Wi-Fi signal, try and locate your router out in the open, away from the floor and close to where your computers/Internet devices are used. Keeping the router away from metal objects and electrical appliances is also adviseable. If you’re feeling a bit geeky, you could also use a Wi-Fi network analyser like InSSider Wi-Fi Helper to help you optimise your Wi-Fi network performance.
Of course, many old farmhouses will have very thick stone walls, so you could consider using a Wi-Fi range booster. If you’re really struggling with Wi-Fi, it could be worth plugging your main farm office computer directly into the router. This “direct line” should give a small speed boost.
Change your ISP
In rural areas, it’s difficult to know if changing your ISP would offer a broadband speed increase because they only show an “up to…” speed figure in their sales literature. So you’d be more likely to consider changing for reasons of cost or customer service.
Campaign for superfast broadband in your area!
Things are improving slowly, but there are some rural areas that are not yet on the rural superfast broadband roll out map.
For example, my village won’t be getting superfast broadband for the foreseeable future, despite being located between two other villages (under different telephone exchanges) that will soon get superfast broadband. This situation has arisen because my village is beyond a “cut-off” point in distance from the exchange. All the local community can do is produce a survey of residents’ broadband speeds and use it to lobby the relevant “powers that be”. You never know, it might just work…