Pimp my Connection – Ways to increase your Broadband speed

A frequent complaint of many Broadband users is their inability to achieve the connection speeds advertised by their ISP. Many factors can determine the quality of a Broadband connection; actual speed achievable over a phone line or cable depends on its length and the distance between your address and the nearest exchange, the specification of your modem or router, the speed of connection between your computer and modem or router the performance of your computer, and whether all your broadband micro filters are correctly installed.

Before signing up to a new provider, you should try to locate the nearest exchange they operate from, as connection speeds vary according to distance. If you live close to an exchange, you could achieve the maximum connection speed – this would decrease the further away you lived. Despite local loop unbundling (other ISP’s installing equipment in BTexchanges) there are some areas of the UK currently not covered by all providers, such as the case with Be Broadband.

The peak time at which most people go online is usually between 6 and 9PM – this can have an affect on connection times. Mass downloads, and the automatic downloading of updates for anti-virus and anti-phishing programs can also drastically reduce the performance of your computer when online. Be mindful of when new updates are due to be installed; it might be a good idea to turn on your computer a good half and hour before you actually want to use it to allow for updates and patches to auto-install.

Setting up DSL microfilters is a relatively cheap and effective way of increasing connection times – microfilters prevent interference from analogue devices (such as telephones) which can often reduce performance and speed.

Ethernet and in particular Wi-Fi modems and routers are generally considered to be better suited to most users’ Broadband requirements than a USB modem. Also, as VoIP phone services and Wi-Fi enabled handsets are becoming more and more popular, getting a Wi-Fi modem installed seems like a smart choice, should you want to make use of extra services in the future. Both BT’s Home Hub and the Orange Livebox are Wi-Fi routers, and the Home Hub also comes with two microfilters installed as standard.

Google have also just released a beta version of Google Web Accelerator, a program which helps to streamline sent and received data and makes a note of your most visited websites allowing for faster access to your Favourites.

1 Comment »Posted by Tom on February 26th 2007 in BT Broadband, Be Broadband, Broadband, Orange Broadband

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One Response to “Pimp my Connection – Ways to increase your Broadband speed”

1. dave hughes said on 05 Mar 2007 at 5:17 pm #

   Home Hub does not work with windows vista nor does bt voyager 1055. good old BT they would be late catching a cold

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