Baby monitors, cordless telephones and electronic lamps near internet routers may slow broadband

Although roughly 20 million homes across the UK recieve broadband at a speed of 18.7Mbs, many feel it is slower due to interference in the home

Rose Troup Buchanan
Saturday 07 November 2015 13:25 GMT
Comments
Ofcom said that overall they expect a ninefold increase in compensation levels
Ofcom said that overall they expect a ninefold increase in compensation levels (Rex)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Interference from baby monitors, cordless telephones and electric lamps are among the most common causes of slower broadband speeds, a national watchdog has warned.

OfCom advises people to keep their routers as far as possible from other electrical appliances – such as telephones or baby monitors – that produce wireless signals.

The watchdog’s chief executive Sharon White said while many homes across the UK did receive fast broadband through their phone lines, the speed of the connection was often hit by “interference” because of where people had installed their router in their home.

"We estimate that consumers' home broadband experience may not be working as well as it could in around a fifth of UK homes," Ms White wrote in The Daily Telegraph.

"This is often caused by something unrelated to the Internet connection, which could be as simple as interference to the broadband router from a lamp, stereo speakers or baby monitor."

Approximately 20 million homes receive broadband at around 18.7Mbps – but this only represents the speed at which the broadband enters the home, without any interference.

OfCom will launch a new digital tool in December to help homeowners establish if their set-up is the cause of their slow broadband.

To increase internet speed, the watchdog advises:

  1. Keeping your router away from any other device emitting wireless signals.
  2. Placing the router on a shelf, not the floor.
  3. Plug the device directly into the main phone socket, and do not use a telephone extension lead.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in