RTC Communicator for Fall 2018

12 FALL 2018 Many Factors Can Affect Your Internet Speed If you’ve tested your internet speed on RTC’s website at http://gigtest.restel.com— or at www.speedtest.net or a similar site—and it’s not what you expected, your first thought might be to contact us. Keep in mind, however, that a number of things could be decreasing your internet speed. They include: Online usage, devices, and yourWi-Fi network can all play a role Multiple Devices Connected Simultaneously Does your household have multiple laptops, tablets, game con- soles, and smartphones? This can reduce the overall internet speed each device receives, since when multiple devices are con- nected simultaneously to the same network, they must share the available bandwidth. Bandwidth-Demanding Applications Applications such as streaming movies and TV shows, playing online games, and video conferencing will consume more band- width than things like checking email, so they can reduce your overall internet speed. Poor Computer Performance The culprit for disappointing speeds could be your computer —such as an old and unstable operating system or insufficient memory. In addition, if your computer is infected with adware or spyware, you may experience diminished computer performance and a stream of pop-up ads. This will likely cause everything on your computer to work more slowly. Insufficient Wireless Router Wireless router specification is an important factor in your home’s internet performance. If an older router that does not support high speed is used, internet speed will be correspond- ingly reduced. For example, if you are signed up for our 1 Gig x 1 Gig internet package and your outdated wireless router only supports up to 100 Mbps, your internet speed will only reach up to about 100 Mbps. One of the best ways to make sure your network is as fast and reliable as possible is to sign up for RTC’s Whole Home Wi-Fi. This monthly service includes installation of the appropriate wireless router and guarantees coverage throughout your home. Interference in Your Home Network Other wireless devices—such as older cordless phones, baby monitors, some security cameras, and microwaves—can cause interference in your home, weakening your wireless router’s sig- nal and affecting your Internet speed. RTC can answer questions about home networks and help you get the internet speed you need. We offer internet packages ranging fromup to 100 Mbps to up to 1 Gig. Call us at 701.862.3115 or check out www.RTC.coop to learnmore.