How to Improve Wireless Broadband

Wireless routers broadcast signals to be picked up by your computer.

Wireless networking at home allows you to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot for your family to use. Under optimal conditions, wireless broadband can reach speeds equal to wired connections. Adverse conditions can decrease speed or even cause the connection to fail. You can improve your wireless broadband connection at home quickly.

Instructions

1. Place your wireless router and broadband modem in a relatively obstruction-free zone. Keep it from being behind or under other objects. This allows the signal to travel throughout your house. Physical obstructions block wireless signals. Keep metal objects away from the router. Metal absorbs electromagnetic signals given off by the router.

2. Buy a high-gain antenna for your router. A high-gain antenna send signals in one direction instead of in a spherical pattern like omnidirectional antennas.

3. Remove or turn off any nearby devices that emit electromagnetic waves. Cell phones, televisions and other wireless devices emit radio waves of the same frequency your wireless router uses -- 2.4 GHz. This causes interference.

4. Configure your wireless network to be security-enabled. This prevents unwanted traffic on your network. Network traffic uses bandwidth, which can slow down your network performance and can even cost you extra money if your monthly bandwidth is exceeded.

References

• Microsoft: How to Improve Your Wireless Network; 2011
• Miami University: Securing Your Home Wireless Network; 2010