5 Ways to improve your broadband speed at home

5 ways to improve your internet speed
Wednesday, 14 July 2021

Broadband Compare’s top 5 ways to improve your broadband speed at home. Compare NZ’s fastest broadband plans. Try moving your modem, check your speed, password protect….

Freezing pages, buffering movies and pixelating during that vital part of a Zoom meeting - nothing is more frustrating than slow internet at home. Streaming, shopping, and working from home have become a vital part of everyday life and high speed internet is more important than ever.  

And, although your internet speed may depend on the type of broadband available where you live, there are steps you can take to get faster broadband at home. Here are five simple tips to improve your broadband speed at home.

Not sure if you’re signed up for the fastest broadband available at your address? Our broadband address checker can help you find the best quality broadband speed for your home and value for money.

 

1: Try moving your internet modem

The location of your internet modem is important. And, moving it to a better spot can be one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve the broadband signal in your home.  Ideally it should be placed up high in the centre of your home. 

Although your modem may not fit with the visual aesthetic of your home, try not to hide it. Tucking it in a cupboard or into a corner can impede the router’s broadcast strength around the house.

In fact physical barriers like walls, large metal objects (fridges, desks, shelves), water cylinders or fish tanks, or even large glass windows can all affect the broadband signal within your home. Learn more about finding the perfect spot for your modem.

2: Check your broadband speed

Broadband speed checks are very easy to perform - we even have one right here on Broadband Compare. With a click of a button our NZ Compare Bot will check your upload and download speeds and let you know if there is a faster plan available in your area. Easy!

3: Password protect your broadband

If your broadband network isn’t password protected anyone within range could be using your network and draining your router’s capacity. Luckily most routers come with a security password already set up. If you’re not password protected, think about setting up a new one. 

4: Updates your browser

An out of date browser can slow you down. Check that you are running the most up to date version of your browser. Faster broadband speeds could be as simple as running an update. 

5: Clear out the junk

Over time your computer will accumulate apps and programmes that may be running in the background and performing checks and updates without your knowledge. Most of these checks are harmless and help your computer function normally (Diagnostic checks or updates for example), but they can slow down the internet speed on your computer. 

Check which programmes are running in the background by opening Task Manager on your PC (hold down the CTRL + ALT + DEL buttons). Or check the Activity Monitor on your Mac (type ⌘ + space). Shut down any apps or programmes you don’t need that are running in the background. Streaming programmes especially can use a lot of bandwidth.

 

Still looking for faster broadband?

It only takes a few minutes to find the fastest broadband plans available in your area. Pop your address into the Broadband Compare address checker to compare the fastest broadband plans available at your home. 

Or give our friendly customer support team a call for free on 0508 2COMPARE (0508 226672). They’ll have a chat and help you make an informed choice about the best high speed broadband plan for you. If you’re already on the best plan, they’ll let you know. 

 

Compare high speed broadband plans 

Mobile Bundle
26

Ultimate Fibre + Mobile Bundle EXCLUSIVE 6 Months Amazon Prime Video for FRE...

from $74.00 /mo
950Mbps 500Mbps
Unlimited data
Mobile Bundle
26

Ultimate Fibre + Mobile Bundle EXCLUSIVE 6 Months Amazon Prime Video for FRE...

Sign up for a 12-month contract and get Unlimited Broadband for $79/m! Plus, get 6 months of Amazon Prime Video too. T&C's apply. Requires 2degrees Pay Monthly Mobile Plan. 12 month term applies. T&C'...
Terms and Conditions apply

Full plan details

Contract options

12 months

Included features

Mobile

Terms and conditions

Offer available for a limited time to new customers on a 12 month fixed Unlimited Broadband Plan only. Price includes $10/m Pay Monthly discount. Plan discount: Standard plan charge after 12 months. $15 rental modem shipping fee applies. Early exit fees apply if you end your plan within 12 months. Non-standard installation fees apply. Prime Video: Valid for 6 months after the date of activation. Offer subject to change. Cancel anytime. Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates are not sponsors of this promotion. Must activate within 30 days of receiving the activation link email. Prime Video is $8/month after the promotion period. Prime Video and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. 2degrees reserves the right to cancel or amend this offer at any time. Broadband and Promotion T&Cs apply. See 2degrees.nz for full T&Cs.

EXCLUSIVE
32

Unlimited Fibre Gig Sign up to WIN 1 of 3 $500 Prezzy C...

from $77.00 /mo
First 12 months then 109.00/month
950Mbps 500Mbps
Unlimited data
EXCLUSIVE
32

Unlimited Fibre Gig Sign up to WIN 1 of 3 $500 Prezzy C...

Sign up on a 12-month contract and pay only $77/month PLUS go into WIN 1 of 3 $500 Prezzy Cards this month! EXCLUSIVELY through Broadband Compare only! *Offer ends April 1st, 2024. New customers only....
Terms and Conditions apply

Full plan details

Contract options

12 months

Included features

Family filter

Terms and conditions

  • ​Offer is available to new customers only.
  • A minimum 12-month contract applies. Early Termination fee of $250 applies.
  • Not available in conjunction with any other offer. 
  • Offer will revert to standard prices as advertised on Slingshot.co.nz after 12 months.
  • The promotion is valid for a limited time only and is subject to change by Slingshot without notice.
  • Free standard installation.
  • Brand new Orbi Wi-Fi 6 Router is $5/month rental with a one-off $14.95 delivery charge or Bring your own device.
  • Additional add on MESH Satellite units:​
    • 1 Satellite Unit ($5/month) - recommended for homes between 150 and 300sqm
    • 2 Satellite Units ($10/month) - recommended for homes greater than 300sqm
  • Modem to be returned if customer cancels.
  • Refer to the Slingshot website for more FAQ`s regarding modems.
  • Receive $5/m discount for each mobile plan added - no more than 4 mobile plans on the new sign-up are allowed.

Slingshot Broadband Ts&Cs
Bundle Discount Terms & Conditions

 

COMPARE OTHER FAST PLANS

 
Related news
Why Don’t More Households Change Broadband Provider? Despite Huge Potential Savings, The Majority of Kiwis Remain Reluctant to Switch
A recent NZ Compare survey revealed that many Kiwis are reluctant to switch broadband providers. But did you know that switching provider can unlock...
28/03/2024
More Power Providers Bundle Up
More power providers offer broadband bundles, offering Kiwis billing convenience, and in, some cases, SAVINGS.
22/03/2024
Mercury Launches Mercury Broadband
Mercury Launches Mercury Broadband and there are great bundles for savings and billing convenience!
22/03/2024
Login
×
Log in with
Sign up for free NZ Compare account
×
Log in with
3 Great Offers
×
Unlimited Fibre Broadband from $70/m
Plus 6 months Prime Video free
Say whaaaaaaat!! Limited time only. 
T&Cs apply.
Unlimited Fibre Broadband from $70/m
Plus 6 months Prime Video free
Say whaaaaaaat!! Limited time only.
T&Cs apply.
Ears to a great Easter 
with 6 months half price! 🥚🐣🐰
Zeronet = Same internet, but better for the planet. They plant 5 trees for every customer.
Ears to a great Easter
with 6 months half price! 🥚🐣🐰
Zeronet = Same internet, but better for the planet. They plant 5 trees for every customer.
$89.95/m for 12 months, 
then standard pricing of 
$105/m applies. 12-month term. 
T&Cs apply. Offer closes 1 April 2024.
$89.95/m for 12 months,
then standard pricing of
$105/m applies. 12-month term. 
T&Cs apply. Offer closes 1 April 2024.