Has your business scaled recently and you have outsourced the services of an IT support company for your call center to ensure there are no roadblocks in operations? Great job! But if you’re not addressing the root cause of slow productivity such as a slow company Wi-Fi, your team can’t even meet their daily KPIs!
For a stronger signal strength, you will need a stronger WiFi, of course. Whether you’re a business owner or an individual who is looking forward to boosting their wireless speed, tag along for these expert tips:
1: Reduce the Physical Distance
We all know that Wi-Fi routers do not have transmitting powers similar to cell towers. Depending on the brand and capacity of the router in use, it might struggle to offer signals to the entire building. This is exactly why businesses must install routers at different locations to provide signals evenly.
There shouldn’t be much physical distance between the router and the devices. To reduce the reach of your router, apps NetSpot can help.
2: Remember to Power Cycle Regularly
Don’t forget to try the timeliness advice of power cycling your router. Sometimes, it’s just a glitch that needs to be addressed and a quick on-and-off cycle can fix everything. It’s also called a reboot and it can improve the speed of your wireless network. Tried and tested!
A reboot clears the memory of the router. if any updates are available, it automatically installs them as well. if your router has been operating for too long and didn’t receive a break, give it one! to reboot follow these simple steps:
- Look for a restart or reset button at the back of your router
- Turn it off. Give it a rest for at least 2 minutes
- Then turn on the power
- Now, connect your router to the internet
- Enjoy a good internet speed
Make it a habit to reboot your router at least once a month to refresh its memory and create a new connection.
3: Update the Router’s Firmware
It’s always a good idea to check your router’s firmware and see if requires an update. Manufacturers are always working on improving the speed. If your router has been acting up lately or isn’t performing well, this could be a sign of a firmware upgrade.
The process of upgrading the firmware depends on the brand and model. For most routers, you will find the update process in the administration interface. You probably just have to hit the upgrade button and everything will happen automatically. For older models, you might have to visit the manufacturer’s website to download a file and upload it to the admin interface. This job can be tedious but it can boost the performance of your router.
4: Address the Bandwidth Hoggers
Sometimes it’s not your router’s fault, it’s the bandwidth consumption that is affecting the signal strength. Video calls and streaming on multiple devices could be eating away the bandwidth leaving you little bandwidth to perform other online activities. Whether you are at home or at work, when doing time-sensitive tasks, it’s important to take care of the bandwidth hoggers for a smooth and uninterrupted experience.
5: Invest in a Good Antenna
Routers usually have a small antenna. Large ones aren’t aesthetically pleasing. A regular router with a regular antenna can deliver a 4 dB gain. But if you don’t mind tall antennas (between 10 to 15 inches), then you can get up to 10-dB. This powerful antenna can boost your Wi-Fi signals and you don’t even have to invest in new hardware!
When you go out to shop for antennas, you will find them in a variety of types. A rubber duck is a type you need to look for. This antenna consists of springy wires that are in a narrow helix shape. The antenna has a rubber jacket to seal it. Get these and install them at your home or workplace for optimal signal distribution.
6: Switch to the Latest WiFi Technology
If you haven’t been using the latest equipment, it’s time you switch to the latest wireless technology which is IEEE 802.11ac. It features fast download and upload speed and has an improved range too. However, to take advantage of this technology, you must be certain that your router and other wireless devices support them.
Once you go out shopping, don’t buy the most affordable model. Go for the one that supports smart features like guest networks, Quality of service, MU-MIMO, ethernet ports, and similar other features. Initially, this might feel like an added expense but you will get a router with an enhanced speed. So, it’s a win-win!
With these tips, you will be able to improve the signal strength right away. If nothing works, it’s a sign that you need to upgrade your internet plan or switch providers.
