Your Back-to-School Internet Guide: Is Your Home Wi-Fi Ready?
It’s hard to believe that it’s already time to start thinking about back-to-school and busy lifestyles kicking in again. That’s why we want to help you prepare for a successful school year by ensuring that your home’s internet can keep up with your busy household.
Test Your Internet Speed
You might not know your current internet speed and whether it is sufficient for your needs. A slow internet connection can often be a sign that you’re exceeding your current speed, especially with the increased demand for online resources when school starts. As schools incorporate more digital formats and materials for home use, it's a good idea to perform a speed test. This will help you determine if you need to upgrade your internet to ensure that your children can complete their schoolwork without interruptions from lagging or buffering. You can find a speed test on our website. Simply go to the homepage and look under “Troubleshoot,” or use this link: https://speedtest.airstreamcomm.net/
Where to Place Your Router
Knowing where to place your router can be challenging. In some households, having the router in the living room or office works well. However, when your children are doing their schoolwork from home, it might be beneficial to move your router closer to where they study. If your router is hidden under furniture or located in a basement or less central area, it may disrupt internet access. Placing the router in a central location will help maintain a strong internet connection for your children and the whole household.
How Many Devices Do You Have?
You might notice that your internet performance changes throughout the day, often based on how many devices are connected to your network. When your home is quiet, such as early in the morning or late at night, the connection tends to be more stable. However, during busy times, like evenings or weekends, when multiple family members are streaming, gaming, or browsing, the network can become congested, leading to slower speeds and buffering. Additionally, don’t forget about other devices in your home like smart thermostats, appliances, and lighting that also use internet.
As the number of connected devices increases, it can impact overall internet performance. To ensure reliable access for everyone, especially for your children’s schoolwork, consider managing device usage or upgrading your internet plan to better support your household's needs.
When It Might Be Time to Upgrade Your Speed
As mentioned earlier, you may not realize how many devices are connected to your internet. If your speed test indicates that you’re close to or exceeding your current internet speed, it could be time to upgrade. You might only notice how slow your internet is when you try a faster option that can accommodate more devices. If you experience lag during peak times and are worried it won’t be enough for school demands, please give our office a call. Our customer service team can help you find the best internet plan to meet your household’s needs.