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Faster Internet during COVID-19

So we're all suffering with slow internet, now that we all have multiple Zoom sessions going and so forth.  Right? 

A lot of you keep on asking me what I recommend doing, so here it is:

Here's what NOT to do:


Do NOT pay your cable TV company for faster Internet.

Sorry, but even a "slow" 25 MBit internet connection is going to handle five simulaneous video chats plus streaming video at the same time, with good if not excellent quality.  It is very unlikely that you will overwhelm your ISP Internet connection.  It is very unlikely that paying for higher service will solve any problem.

Do NOT get a Mesh router system.

Mesh routers are expensive, and their additional radios just add to an already crowded radio spectrum.  Adding several fast cars to a grid-locked highway is not going to solve any problems despite the marketing push.

Do NOT add additional network gear.

Adding WiFi extenders or additional WiFi access points are only going to result in a more complex, less reliable network.

Do NOT add gigabit Ethernet.

Adding some fast components here or there are not going to address the bottlenecks of the network.

Here's what TO do:


 Restart your cable modem & WiFi.

This actually does do something.  Restarting clears their memories and induces your WiFi router to use the clearest available channel.

Consider using 5GHz exclusively

If possible, use your 5 GHz capability of your WiFi gear.  It is faster and can generally deal better with multiple devices, but has shorter reach.  You may have to configure your router so that a distinct 5 GHz network SSID appears.

Move your WiFi router to a central location

Hiding your router in the corner of your house behind a bookshelf is not a good idea.  My router is in a closet, which is in the absolute center of my living space, and reliably covers my entire home.

Turn off old protocols
Turn off 802.11b and 802.11g.  These old protocols are inefficient at best.   Note that this move might be incompatible with very old devices.

Replace your old WiFi equipment

If you have a cheap or ancient WiFi router, feel free to replace it with something modern.  You likely don't need a $120+ router.  Just a decent, modern 802.11ac router should do it.  Expect to pay $40 to $90.

What I have

I have a single router that covers my entire property.  It's an 8 year old Apple Airport Express N (2nd Gen), which is an excellent, reliable WiFi  router.  It handles all of the 63 or so wireless devices I have around the house with ease.  I have zero ethernet-connected devices.

Of course, if I were running highly-loaded servers I might need something special.  But the servers I run are not on my home network, and so that kind of stuff is unnecessary.

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