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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
World
David Snelling & Lana Adkin

Virgin Media issues move your router advice to broadband users to improve wi-fi signal

It’s the second Bank Holiday of May and many are enjoying an extra day off to mark the King’s Coronation. But, with millions of people expected to be at home your internet supply could be facing interference.

Virgin Media have just issued advice on how to boost your broadband and it is such a simple and easy way. The position of the router can help your internet work to its full potential, it should be out in the open and away from other electronic devices - such as TVs, baby monitors and cordless phones, reports the Express.

"It’s not just electronics that interfere with your WiFi signal: metal can also wreak havoc with your connection," Virgin Media explained. "Kitchens are often home to heavy-duty metal appliances (think ovens, fridges and washing machines), as well as signal-emitting electronics like microwaves, making them a particularly inhospitable environment for your router."

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For those who have the WiFi router placed in the kitchen and your signal isn’t as strong, then it is advised to position it somewhere else in the house.

One thing that can affect the WiFi signal is mirrors which can reflect the radio waves used to transmit wireless internet. This has a negative impact on performance by scattering and distorting the signal.

'It’s not just mirrors, either: be wary of stainless steel countertops, filing cabinets or any other flat, reflective surface," Virgin warned.

Fish tanks can be another issue. Internet signals don’t like travelling through water so keep your router away from your fish tanks.

One final piece of advice is to keep your router upright at all times as laying things flat can slow down those all-important speeds.

"If you’re trying to tuck your router into a specific space, such as under a TV unit, you might be tempted to turn it on its side. Our advice? Don’t. Keep your router upright with the front lights facing into the room to ensure more of the signal goes outwards into that room, rather than into the floor," Virgin added.

It’s worth remembering that these tips won’t make the physical speeds faster as you’ll only get the service you pay for. However, making some simple changes will make sure you get a more reliable connection and your downloads don’t become as slow.

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