| Whether you use your internet connection to send | | | | The quality of your cables and modem can make a |
| e-mails, shop, download music or watch television, | | | | difference to the speeds you are receiving. High |
| logging on to the world wide web is becoming an | | | | capacity cables and modems can help you enjoy a |
| increasingly common occurrence in households around | | | | faster connection and if you think your hardware is |
| the United Kingdom. | | | | slowing you down, you could speak to your provider |
| If your broadband speed is slowing you down then | | | | who may be willing to swap them. |
| don't despair as there are plenty of tips you can | | | | You can also buy high capacity bits and bobs |
| employ to speed things up on online. | | | | yourself, whether online or on the high street. Using a |
| First of all you should check the speed of your | | | | high quality Microfilter (splitter) could help as well. |
| existing service. Speeds of around 2mb were | | | | Microfilters plug into the phone socket providing two |
| common a few years back but times have changed | | | | connections - one for the phone and one for the |
| and current speeds stretch from 8mb to 20mb and | | | | internet. This prevents one line from interfering with |
| up to 40mb for business users when new and | | | | the other. |
| pioneering optic fibres are used in the near future. | | | | When it comes to your router you want to make |
| It might be possible to upgrade your current | | | | sure it is encrypted so other people cannot use your |
| broadband deal and it won't necessarily cost a lot | | | | wireless internet connection. Encrypting your router is |
| more to up your bandwidth and enjoy faster speeds. | | | | easy – just follow your manufacturer's guidelines |
| Speak to your provider and find out about what's on | | | | or have a look online for some hints and tips. If other |
| offer or you could even switch to a new supplier. | | | | people are connecting to the internet via your router |
| There is also plenty you can do in and around your | | | | this would slow down the overall speed. |
| home to speed up your existing connection. Simply | | | | If you have a wireless router but sometimes connect |
| ensuring there are no electrical devices that could be | | | | to the internet directly, using a cable, then remember |
| interfering with your connection can make all the | | | | to switch your router off if you want fast |
| difference. Keep your modem and wiring well away | | | | broadband. |
| from mains power cables and limit the number of | | | | There are certain times of day when the internet is |
| electrical devices near your broadband connection. | | | | being used by more people overall and this can lead |
| Microwave ovens, printers and other household | | | | to slower speeds. If you have any large files to |
| electrical appliances can interfere with your broadband | | | | download then it might be worth waiting until an |
| connection when placed too close to the modem | | | | off-peak time, such as late at night, to download |
| router and phone cable and this is a problem that is | | | | them. |
| easily remedied. | | | | |