When you’ve invested in full-fibre broadband, slow internet speeds can be frustrating. The good news is that, while your broadband connection may be delivering the speeds you’re paying for, factors inside your home can affect how those speeds reach your devices. 

At Highland Broadband, our full-fibre network delivers your package speed directly to the equipment installed in your home. Because our network is built entirely with fibre and contains no copper cables, you won’t experience the performance drops associated with older broadband technologies. If you’re not getting the speeds you expect, there are several simple steps you can take to improve performance. 

Understanding the Difference Between Broadband and WiFi 

Before troubleshooting slow speeds, it’s important to understand the difference between broadband and WiFi. 

Broadband is the physical internet connection that runs to your property. This is the service provided by your broadband provider. 

WiFi is the wireless connection between your router and your devices, such as smartphones, laptops, smart TVs and gaming consoles. 

You can connect to your broadband in two ways: 

Wired Connection (Ethernet) 

A wired connection uses an Ethernet cable to connect directly to your router. This provides: 

• The fastest speeds available 

• A more stable connection 

• Lower latency for gaming and video calls 

• Less interference from walls and other devices 

For best results, use a Cat5e, Cat6 or higher-rated Ethernet cable. 

Wireless Connection (WiFi) 

WiFi allows you to connect multiple devices without cables and move freely around your home. However, wireless performance can be affected by: 

• Walls, floors and doors 

• Large metal objects 

• Electrical appliances 

• Distance from the router 

• The number of connected devices 

Because every home is different, WiFi speeds can vary even when your broadband connection is performing perfectly. 

Make Sure You’re on the Right Broadband Plan

The plan you choose should reflect how your household uses the internet. 

If your home has multiple users streaming, gaming, video calling and downloading simultaneously, a higher-speed plan may be the best choice. 

For lighter users who mainly browse the web, shop online, check emails and use online banking, our Essential 150 plan provides plenty of speed for everyday needs. 

Optimise Your Router Placement 

Where you place your router can make a significant difference to your WiFi performance. 

Best Practice

To achieve the strongest signal: 

• Place your router in a central location within the home 

• Keep it visible and unobstructed 

• Position it on a shelf or table rather than on the floor 

• Reduce the number of walls between the router and the devices you use most 

Avoid These Locations

Try not to place your router: 

• Next to windows 

• Inside cupboards or cabinets 

• Behind TVs or large furniture 

• Near microwaves, stereos or other electronic devices 

• Close to radiators or heating systems 

• Near fish tanks or large bodies of water 

• Beside large metal objects 

These can either absorb, block or interfere with your WiFi signal, reducing coverage and speeds throughout your home. 

Use Wired Connections Wherever Possible 

While WiFi is convenient, wired connections will always offer the most reliable performance. 

Consider connecting the following devices directly to your router using Ethernet: 

• Desktop computers 

• Gaming consoles 

• Smart TVs 

• Streaming devices 

• Home office equipment 

Not only will these devices benefit from faster and more stable speeds, but moving them off WiFi also frees up wireless capacity for the mobile devices that need it most. 

Check Your Devices 

Sometimes the issue isn’t the broadband connection at all. 

Older devices may not support modern WiFi standards or be capable of achieving the full speeds available through full-fibre broadband. Similarly, outdated operating systems, device drivers and firmware can impact performance. 

If you’re experiencing slow speeds on one device but not others: 

• Install the latest software updates 

• Update network drivers where applicable 

• Restart the device 

• Check the manufacturer’s specifications to understand its maximum supported speed 

Remember that your internet experience is only as fast as the slowest part of the connection. 

Disconnect Unused Devices 

Every device connected to your network shares your available bandwidth. 

Over time, homes accumulate connected devices such as: 

• Smart speakers 

• Smart TVs 

• Tablets 

• Security cameras 

• Games consoles 

• Smartphones 

• Smart home devices 

Disconnecting devices you’re not actively using can improve performance, particularly during high-demand periods. 

Make Sure You’re Using the Right Ethernet Cables 

If you’re testing speeds through a wired connection, your Ethernet cable matters. 

Different cable types support different maximum speeds: 

• Cat5: up to 100Mbps 

• Cat5e: up to 1Gbps 

• Cat6 and above: 1Gbps and beyond 

Using an older cable could create a bottleneck and prevent you from seeing the full speed of your broadband package. 

You should also ensure cables are not tightly bent, pinched or wound up, as physical damage can impact performance. 

Secure Your WiFi Network 

An unsecured WiFi network allows anyone within range to connect. 

If neighbours or unauthorised users are accessing your network, they could be consuming bandwidth through streaming, downloading or gaming activities, slowing down your connection. 

To keep your speeds protected: 

• Enable password protection 

• Use a strong, unique WiFi password 

• Regularly review connected devices 

A secure network helps ensure your bandwidth is being used only by those who should have access. 

Understanding Speed Tests 

Internet speeds can fluctuate throughout the day, so a single speed test doesn’t always tell the full story. 

When testing your connection: 

• Run multiple tests at different times 

• Test on more than one device 

• Use a wired connection where possible 

• Ensure no large downloads or streams are running at the same time 

Several factors can affect speed test results, including: 

Device Limitations 

Older phones, tablets and computers may not be capable of measuring or receiving the full speed of your broadband package. 

WiFi Performance 

Wireless speed tests are influenced by signal strength, distance from the router and interference from objects around your home. 

Network Activity 

If multiple devices are streaming, gaming or downloading while you’re speed testing, your results may be lower than expected. 

Background Processes 

Software updates, cloud backups and other applications running on a device can also impact test results. 

Extend Coverage with Whole Home WiFi Guarantee

If you live in a large property, have multiple floors or struggle with WiFi blackspots, a mesh WiFi system can help provide stronger coverage throughout your home. 

Our Whole Home WiFi Guarantee uses mesh technology to extend your WiFi signal into hard-to-reach areas, helping you stay connected wherever you are in your home. 

Alongside improved coverage, you’ll also benefit from greater control over your network, device management and enhanced security features. 

Final Thoughts 

Improving internet speeds at home often comes down to optimising your WiFi setup rather than changing your broadband service. By positioning your router correctly, using wired connections where possible, keeping devices updated and extending coverage with a mesh WiFi system, you can get the very best performance from your full-fibre connection. 

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of our full-fibre network, check availability in your area today.