How to speed up your broadband internet
Find out the speed you are getting using a computer connected to your router via an ethernet network cable. Many routers and other devices come with one, or they cost about £5 separately.
You may also need a USB ethernet adapter (about £10) if your computer does not have a port built-in.
If you can’t connect via ethernet, use a modern phone, laptop or tablet on wifi as close to your router as possible with a clear line of sight.
Ookla’s Speedtest.net and Netflix’s Fast.com are reliable speed-testing services.
Some more advanced routers have speed testing services built into them, too. They are typically accessible via a router’s settings pages in your browser or a companion app, if they have one.
If your broadband is slow at the router, it might be time to switch providers. Some fixed-line ISPs offer speeds in excess of 200Mbps in certain areas, while 4G/5G home broadband is an alternative.
If you are not getting near the speed your ISP advertises, you may be able to get a discount, or switch to a plan with higher speeds.
When it comes to broadband the faster the better, particularly with multiple people and devices using the internet at once. However, the minimum speed needed for most online activities is fairly slow.
Video calling services, such as Zoom, typically need up to 4Mbps upload and download.
Online gaming services, such as Xbox Live, need at least 3Mbps down and 0.5Mbps up, while game streaming services need a minimum of 10Mbps down.
Video streaming, such as Netflix, needs at least 5Mbps for HD or 25Mbps for 4K content.
The median broadband speed in the UK is 50.4Mbps down and 9.8Mbps up, according to data from Ofcom in March 2021. That means that the majority of connections should be able to handle most popular
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