Need broadband? Ready to switch? Get fair, unbiased advice in a language you understand so you make the right choice.
What are the limits of wireless broadband?
With wireless broadband you can connect every computer in your household to the internet at the same time, and use it no matter where you are in the house - even down the garden shed.
However, while wifi is undoubtedly great, it does have some limitations.
Security
When installing your home wireless network, make sure that you set up sufficient security so that neighbours, passers by or even hackers can’t simply scan for a network and “piggyback” your internet from next door, or outside your house.
Use a hard-to-guess encryption key and make sure that you regularly change your password. Although WPA is the latest in wireless security, and offers more protection than the older WEP codes, many laptops and PCs are still not compatible with WPA.
Although switching to a wireless connection from ethernet cables shouldn’t make much of a difference to your broadband speed, there are a number of things that can.
If your laptop is very far from your router, or if there are lots of walls and doors between your router and laptop, the signal will become degraded and your internet will be slower.
If there are lots of people using the same wireless connection at the same time - and especially if some are downloading music and movies or watching internet television - then it will definitely appear slower.
Where your router is
The location of your router in relation to the faceplate where your broadband line enters your house can also make a difference. Try to have it as close as possible to where you’ll be using it, to ensure the maximum strength signal.
If you do have problems, rather than taking the trouble of moving your router or PC, you could just try replacing the aerial. Standard router aerials are usually 2dBi (indicating how long they are), and logically, the longer the aerial, the better the signal and the further its reach. For around £10 you can buy an aerial of 9dBi, which can increase signal strength by 30-50 per cent.
It’s not all bad
Of course, millions of people take advantage of the benefits that a wireless internet connection offers without any problems, so don’t be put off by the limitations of wifi; it offers freedom and practicality without having to run long wires throughout the house.
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