Fall 2018 Newsletter

Cornerstone Group © 2018 If you’re experiencing slower than expected performance from your home’s Wi-Fi network, it could be the result of wireless interference. This typically comes from three types of sources: 1. Walls and floors blocking wireless signals The construction materials in your home can greatly affect wireless communication speed and range. Materials such as wood and glass don’t have much of an effect. However, denser materials such as concrete, brick, and metal can make it difficult to connect. These denser materials can also slow your network speed or even completely block wireless signals from reaching certain parts of your home. Large furniture items such as filing cabinets or book- shelves, as well as appliances like stoves or refrigerators, can also interfere with Wi-Fi. You may be able to solve the problem simply by moving your router to a different location. 2. Appliances and electronics emitting radio frequency interference Wi-Fi interference can also come from other electronics and appliances that aren’t con- nected to your wireless network but use the same 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequencies to com- municate. Examples include cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, and baby monitors. Micro- wave ovens generate radio frequency noise as a byproduct, so if yours is located close to your Wi-Fi router, you may notice a network slowdown or get discon- nected only when you’re using your microwave. Again, try relocating your router. 3. Other Wi-Fi networks using the same channel as your own Wi-Fi network Interference from competing Wi-Fi networks is especially common in apartment build- ings and other densely-populated areas. Wi-Fi networks broadcast on channels, so when nearby Wi-Fi networks are set to use the same channel, they’ll constantly be competing with each other for limited bandwidth. To rectify this situation, see if your router is able to automatically find the least-crowded Wi-Fi channel. If not, you may want to upgrade to a new router with this feature. To learn more about maximizing your Wi-Fi signal, call 888.758.8976. What are Common Causes of Wi-Fi Interference? A Home Phone is Never Misplaced and Always Reliable Having a landline phone in your home keeps things simple when it comes to making and receiving calls. Compared to a cell phone, there’s a lot you don’t have to do with a home phone: • You don’t have to think about signal strength. • You don’t have to remember to charge the battery. • You don’t have to run around the house looking for it when it rings. • You don’t have to be careful not to drop it and break the screen. • You don’t have to worry about losing your phone. • You don’t have to take time to do software upgrades. What’s more, a home phone is easier for young children to find and use when an emergency requires them to call 911. This could be lifesaving in situations where the adult in the home is unable to talk due to a medi- cal event. Including a home phone in your communications mix offers peace of mind and pro- vides an always-ready backup to a cell phone. For more details, call 888.758.8976.