8 ways to improve internet speed until you can get fiber

8 ways to improve internet speed until you can get fiber

(Scott Anderson)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Residents of Provo already enjoy access to Google Fiber and Salt Lake City is scheduled to get it soon. But many suburban dwellers will have to wait a bit longer before they can sign up for the ultra-fast Internet service.

If you're still waiting, here's what you can do to boost your Internet speed until Google Fiber reaches your part of town.

1. Find out if you're signed up for the right plan

The first step to enjoying fast Internet is to determine if you're signed up for the right Internet service plan for your needs. To do so, run a speed test to find out what speed you're getting from your Internet service provider. Then, use an online tool to analyze your Internet usage and determine the ideal speed for your needs. Compare the speed you're getting to the suggested speed and upgrade your plan if necessary.

2. Turn off devices you aren't using

Running multiple Internet-connected devices at once can lead to slower broadband speed. Turn off devices like smart TVs, tablets and gaming consoles when they're not in use.

Photo: sheff/Shutterstock
Photo: sheff/Shutterstock

3. Restart your modem and router

Connection issues can wreak havoc on your Internet speed. Restarting your modem and router may be one of the easiest ways to rectify these problems and improve broadband speed. Simply unplug the power cables to your modem and router, wait at least 30 seconds, and plug them back in.

4. Secure your wireless router

If your wireless router isn't password protected, other people may be using it. This can make your connection sluggish, especially if they're doing things that use a lot of bandwidth like streaming media or playing online games. To help prevent uninvited guests from using your wireless router, secure it with a robust password and change the password periodically.

5. Move your wireless router

The location of your wireless router can weaken its signal strength and hamper Internet speed. To help ensure optimal signal strength, place the router in the room in which you use the Internet most often and be sure the signal isn't blocked by walls or other obstructions. Using a can of compressed air to remove dirt and dust from the router and elevating it above other electronics may also improve its performance. If you can't change your router's location, move your computer closer to it to reduce the distance the signal has to travel.

Photo: Ijansempoi/Shutterstock
Photo: Ijansempoi/Shutterstock

6. Change channels

If you and your neighbors are using the same wireless channel to receive and broadcast signals, it could slow down your Internet. Improving your connection speed may be as simple as finding a less congested wireless channel. Use free software like WifiInfoView or manually switch between channels until you find the one that performs the best. Channels 1, 6, and 11 are typically good choices because they tend to be less crowded.

7. Limit or prioritize bandwidth-hogging applications

Video chatting, streaming movies and playing online games require a lot of bandwidth and can slow your Internet to a snail's pace. With speeds up to one gigabit, Google Fiber should take care of that problem; for now, adjust the Quality of Service setting on your router to resolve the issue. Use QoS to establish how much bandwidth applications receive and identify which ones have bandwidth priority. For instance, you may want to restrict bandwidth for streaming movies, or prioritize video conferencing over online gaming.

8. Clear your browser's cache

Your browser stores information about the sites you visit so they load faster the next time you get online. Usually this feature is helpful, but over time your browser can get bogged down by the amount of information it stores. Periodically clear your computer's cache to help increase your browser's performance and improve your Internet experience.

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