Prasanna Gokhale, Chief Technology Officer, ACT Fibernet

 Covid pandemic has pushed digitization in India. More and more businesses are moving to online platforms. Internet penetration has doubled in the past five years, and currently, almost 50 per cent of the Indian population uses the Internet actively. The increase in demand has meant a seemingly decline in broadband speeds for many. Using the Internet for entertainment, slowness and frequent disconnections might not be a big issue. However, for people working from home, a stable internet connection is a necessity.

Future workplaces will be hybrid for most industries, and most of the population will continue to work from home. Hence, it becomes critical for people working from home to be aware of the possible causes of internet issues, and basic troubleshooting procedures. Imagine you leading an important client conference call, and your Internet keeps disconnecting. It can be frustrating and impact your work negatively.

We often think that slow broadband speed and bad connection are due to the internet service provider’s faulty maintenance and supply. In contrast, it can also happen due to users not adequately managing their broadband equipment, like the router and LAN cable. Once you know the real reason for slow broadband, you can fix it instantly.

What causes slow broadband speed and frequent disconnects?

  • Bad Wi-Fi Connection – Your service provider is not giving you quality internet service.
  • Router issues – including outdated firmware, wrong placements, configuration issues, and range that has not set correctly.
  • Wireless Interference – Using too many devices simultaneously, or the proximity of the router with many other electrical devices.
  • Modem Software issues – Continued usage of the modem and its outdated software can slow down your internet speed.
  • Cable and Hardware problems – Faulty and broken cables are the most common reasons for connection drops and slow broadband speed.

Apart from a lousy Wi-Fi connection provided by the service provider, the users can quickly check and fix all other issues.

How to address slow broadband speeds and connectivity issues?

People who work remotely must educate themselves about common broadband issues and ways to manage them. Let us discuss critical pointers that will help you troubleshoot, manage, and plan your internet usage.

Troubleshoot Modem and Router

We use the Internet 24/7 and forget to switch off the router and modem. Resetting your router can instantly improve the data speed. Another issue could be outdated router firmware or modem software. Since routers and modems are not visible to us on our mobile phones or computers, as we often forget to update their software. Make a schedule to check and update them manually, or even better, put all networking devices on auto-update.

Check Router Placement

We often neglect the importance of router placements. Placing your router close to electrical appliances like a refrigerator or microwave can significantly hamper the network. Try to install the router in free spaces like hallways so that there are minimum network interruptions.

Replace Outdated LAN Cables

You may have updated your router and other networking devices, forgetting the importance of LAN cables. Moving to Cat-6 or Cat-6a wires can help you get the optimum net speed.

Use the Internet Smartly

Using the Internet on too many devices simultaneously can congest your home Wi-Fi network. High data usage activity such as downloading heavy files or consuming HD video content must not conflict with your office network usage. Always check for any interfering wireless devices or connections, and optimize the traffic. The 5GHz band offers a high-speed connection, whereas 2.4GHz is known to provide a better range. Depending on the work, use any of the two bandwidths for improved network connectivity.

Revisit Network Security

If your Wi-Fi network is not secure, there are chances of someone else hacking your network and consuming data. Never share your router password; if you have a common password, change it with a more complex one. Ensure your mobile phones and computers have an antivirus installed. Another approach could be to keep an eye on your network usage. If you notice unusually high use, phishing apps or antivirus may have encroached on the system. Keep changing your router passwords regularly to avoid any misuse.

Switch off the VPN

Most users rely on virtual private networks (VPN) to secure themselves from external attacks. However, VPNs can also slow down your broadband speed, especially during high data usage activities like video conferencing and heavy files uploads. By disabling VPN, you can increase your broadband speed considerably.

Conclusion

Data is the new oil in this digital era. Internet speed and uninterrupted networks are critical for working from home. It is essential to understand basic networking, troubleshooting, and maintenance. Users should be aware of minimum speed requirements for video conferencing apps like zoom, skype, and google hangouts, and use them wisely. Networking devices and software need regular upgrades to provide optimal performance and secure networks; that is if you work remotely or plan to work from home soon. You must understand that internet speed depends on various factors other than the plan offered by your broadband service provider.