Got a full fibre optic internet deal promising wonders, but your speed test results are less than satisfactory? Your broadband provider isn’t necessarily to blame.. There are many reasons why your connection might be struggling, including the hardware and setup. So, without further ado, here are the key ways to optimise your fibre optic internet to the maximum.
Router
Your router is essentially the gateway to your internet’s full potential. An outdated or underpowered router could become the bottleneck of your connection, regardless of how speedy it is. Some full fibre broadband offers already include a powerful router. However, if yours doesn’t, you’ll need to invest in a new one. Make sure that it’s designed to support the latest Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6 or the upcoming Wi-Fi 7 (available from 2025).), with a capacity to handle multiple connected devices in your home.
Wired connection
A direct wired connection offers the most reliable speeds. While Wi-Fi can still be highly reliable, a wired Ethernet connection will always come on top. It delivers a stable signal directly into your device, without any interference from other devices or neighbouring networks. Therefore, if you have a desktop computer, a gaming console or a smart TV, aim to use an Ethernet connection for the best performance.
Hardware
The cable itself matters too. An old Ethernet cable could lack the capability to handle modern high-speed connections, so opt for at least Cat 6 (Category 6) or higher. What’s more, your device could also be a cause of connectivity struggles. For example, an old laptop with a slow Wi-Fi card will never experience the true full speed of fibre. The only way to fix this is by upgrading these hardware components, ensuring that your device reaps the benefits of fibre optic.
Wi-Fi extenders
Wi-Fi will still be your primary method of connection for such devices as smartphones or tablets, and so you want to have as few “Wi-Fi dead zones” in your home as possible. Even the most powerful router can struggle to cover every corner of a large property, especially if there are many floors and walls in the way. Using a Wi-Fi extender will amplify the signal, creating seamless coverage throughout your home.. A mesh Wi-Fi system, in particular, is the superior choice, acting almost like a blanket of connectivity and eliminating dead zones.
Other factors
Beyond the core set up and hardware, there are a few more things that could subtly compromise your internet speed. Network congestion, for one, is a common issue which occurs when too many devices are consuming too much bandwidth at the same time. For instance, if multiple big files are being downloaded on multiple devices, this will cause a temporary bottleneck. Moreover, outdated software (both on your phone and laptop) could also create performance issues, so keep your operating systems and drivers updated at all times.
Achieving top performance
While you can absolutely use fibre optic internet without all of these steps just fine, they will help maximise the speed and stability of your connection. And, since you already pay for these benefits, why wouldn’t you want the best of the best?!
