Latest news with #router
CNET
14 hours ago
- CNET
After Years of Testing Wi-Fi Routers, Here's the Best Spot for Your Mesh Router
When it comes to optimizing your internet connection throughout your home, router placement is key. So you might want to reconsider before hiding your mesh system. The truth is, most Wi-Fi routers are pretty ugly. Your first impulse is probably to tuck your router away and hide ugly cords to reduce clutter. But if you've noticed your Wi-Fi struggling in certain rooms, it's worth rethinking your router placement -- even with a mesh system. As an expert, I've been testing and reviewing router performance for years, and I've found that few things are as critical to Wi-Fi speeds as the location of your router. While a traditional Wi-Fi router sends out a signal from a single point in your home, a mesh system uses multiple devices to emit signals from various points. That makes it more like a team of routers that work together to relay your traffic back to the modem. It's a much better approach to home networking, particularly in large, multistory homes, where a traditional, single-point router will likely leave you with dead zones in the rooms that are farthest away. Still, location is everything when setting up your router and satellite extenders, which are also sometimes called nodes (or Points if you use Nest Wi-Fi). Their specific location significantly affects the system's performance. Internet is already expensive, with over 63% of US adults paying $195 or more on average, so if you've invested in a mesh router system, you should be getting the speeds you're paying for. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind as you go. (You can also check out our tips on the best location for your Wi-Fi router and how to protect your home Wi-Fi network from hackers.) Where is the best location to place your mesh router? Mesh routers and other Wi-Fi devices perform their best when they're located out in the open, and up off of the ground. Netgear First, you'll want the main router, or the mesh device wired to your modem, to be located as centrally in your home as possible. That's the same approach you'd take with a single router, and the reasoning is the same: Routers put out Wi-Fi signals in all directions, so placing your router in a central location within your home will maximize your connection. Locating local internet providers That goes double for mesh systems, where the strength of the connection near your nodes will largely depend on the strength of the incoming signal from the main router. A stronger connection between the two will help ensure you're getting the fastest Wi-Fi speeds throughout your home. Your options for moving the router might seem limited by the location of your modem and the incoming wiring for your home's internet connection, but an extra-long Ethernet cable can come in handy here, allowing you to move the router away from where the modem sits if necessary. If that's impractical or you'd prefer to keep the cables to a minimum, you'll at least want to move that main router out into the open, preferably as high off the ground as possible. This guide from Asus highlights a mesh rule of thumb -- for the best performance, try to keep each device in your setup no more than two rooms away from another one. Asus Move those extenders around Once the main router is situated in the best spot possible, you'll want to pick out good spots for the extenders. With most systems, you can connect each device to the main router with an Ethernet cable for the fastest speeds possible, but most people prefer to connect everything wirelessly to reduce clutter. Since Wi-Fi is slower than Ethernet, you'll want to be extra strategic about where you place the extenders throughout your home. To learn more, read our guide on the difference between a Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet connection. Again, out in the open and off the ground is your best bet for a clear signal, but you'll also want to consider the layout of your home, as physical obstructions between the main router and the extenders can slow things down. Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb is to try and keep the devices in your mesh setup no more than two rooms away from each other. The thickness and material of your walls can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal, especially if they're built with dense materials like brick or concrete, which can make it difficult for Wi-Fi signals to penetrate. You'll also want to watch out for electronic interference from TVs and other large appliances. If you're sticking a mesh extender in the kitchen, resist the urge to hide it on top of the fridge; move it away from your appliances altogether. Most mesh systems come with companion apps that include placement guides for your devices, signal strength checks, and other diagnostic tools to help you make sure you've got everything in the best spot possible. Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET Furniture can also block Wi-Fi signals, so if you have anything large or bulky between two of your mesh devices, consider relocating it. Aquariums are another classic antagonist for your mesh setup, as Wi-Fi has difficulty transmitting through water. The best way to ensure that your mesh network is as well-connected as possible is to open its app and check the signal strength of each device, which is something most systems offer. You can also find system-specific guidance online at the links below: Avoid these dead zones If you've got a back corner of your home where the signal drops out, it might be tempting to stick a mesh extender smack in the middle of that dead zone to boost your speeds. In a lot of cases, that'd be a mistake. Remember, like your phone or laptop, your mesh extenders need to connect wirelessly with the main router in your setup. If that back corner is a dead zone for your phone or laptop, it'll likely be a dead zone for your mesh extender too. The better approach is to place that extender adjacent to the dead zone in a spot where it'll have an easier time connecting with the main router. In some cases, that might be halfway between the dead zone and the main router, but you might need to experiment a bit. Hit the sweet spot, and the Wi-Fi signal it puts out should be a healthy one, and one that'll extend into the dead zone to bring it back to life. A good speed test will help you understand how your Wi-Fi is holding up from room to room. James Martin/CNET Run a speed test Apart from the diagnostic tools in your mesh router's app, the fastest way to check on your system's performance is to run speed tests. There are plenty of free services online that we recommend, any of which will tell you in a minute or less the upload and download speeds on whatever device you're using. However, our top recommendation is Ookla thanks to its consistency and reliability. This is also a tool that we often use to determine speeds offered by different internet providers. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) For the best intel, grab your laptop or phone and run multiple speed tests in each room of your house where you need a usable Wi-Fi signal. Ultimately, you should have a good ballpark sense of where speeds are the steadiest and where they dip. From there, you could try moving your extenders to try and balance things out, or you could consider buying an additional extender to fill in any gaps. Either way, your home should be all set with a strong signal wherever needed. Running a speed test can help you figure out the best spot to put your mesh router. Chris Monroe/CNET Other considerations for your mesh router Just remember that your mesh router can only offer speeds that are as fast as what you're paying for from your ISP. If speeds are widely insufficient in your home, then it might be time to consider upgrading to a faster plan (and it might be worth seeing if your ISP will let you try a faster plan for a few days to see if that is, indeed, the problem). Your ISP might also be able to provide you with an updated modem that'll bring better, faster speeds to your mesh system to begin with. Can't hurt to ask. If speeds still seem slower than you'd like, and your ISP isn't the answer, there are a few other things you can try. For starters, if your provider's modem is a gateway device that doubles as a router, you'll want to disable its Wi-Fi network so that it doesn't interfere with your mesh system's Wi-Fi network. Speaking of interference, it's possible that a neighbor's Wi-Fi network is interfering with yours. To remedy that, hop into your mesh router's app and look for channel settings that let you tune your network to a different part of the Wi-Fi airwaves, potentially steering away from whatever channel nearby networks use. You'll also want to ensure that your mesh system's firmware is updates, which should be easy to check within its app. For more, check out our picks for the best Wi-Fi 6 routers, and how to find free secure Wi-Fi wherever you go. Mesh router placement FAQ Where is the best mesh node placement? The best place for your mesh router nodes depends on the layout of your house and whether there are any dead zones. Additionally, you'll have to decide if you want to connect your mesh nodes with an Ethernet cable, for the fastest possible speeds, or wirelessly. If you opt for an Ethernet cable connection, you'll be more limited with how far away you can place the nodes, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the mesh nodes no more than two rooms away from each other, away from blockage from bulky furniture or electronics and in an upraised position. Instead of placing your mesh node in the middle of a dead zone, try placing it adjacent to or near the dead zone. That way, your node will still be close enough to your main mesh router to carry the signal. ...Read more Does mesh make internet faster? A common misconception about mesh routers is that they make your overall internet speeds faster. A mesh router network is perfect for ensuring consistent speeds throughout the house -- and keeping any dead zones to a minimum -- but they won't necessarily bring faster speeds. Like a standard Wi-Fi router, mesh router systems can only deliver the speeds that you're paying for from your ISP. Updated router equipment, optimized router location and an Ethernet connection are ultimately the easiest ways to get faster internet speeds. ...Read more What is a major disadvantage of a mesh network? One of the major downsides of a mesh router system is its high price: High-performing mesh routers tend to be more expensive than traditional Wi-Fi routers. If you're trying to boost your Wi-Fi, you should exhaust other options before investing in a brand-new mesh router system. Additionally, mesh routers tend to have fewer ports for connecting USB jacks or Ethernet cables, and some don't have any extra ports at all. ...Read more
CNET
3 days ago
- CNET
I've Been Testing Routers for Years. This Is the Best Place for Your Mesh System
I won't judge you if you want to hide your mesh router. The truth is, most Wi-Fi routers are pretty ugly. Your first impulse is probably to tuck your router away and hide ugly cords to reduce clutter. But if you've noticed your Wi-Fi struggling in certain rooms, it's worth rethinking your router placement -- even with a mesh system. I've been testing and reviewing router performance for years, and I've found that few things are as critical to Wi-Fi speeds as the location of your router. While a traditional Wi-Fi router sends out a signal from a single point in your home, a mesh system uses multiple devices to emit signals from various points. That makes it more like a team of routers that work together to relay your traffic back to the modem. It's a much better approach to home networking, particularly in large, multistory homes, where a traditional, single-point router will likely leave you with dead zones in rooms that are farthest away. Still, location is everything when setting up your router and satellite extenders, which are also sometimes called nodes (or Points if you use Nest Wi-Fi). Their specific location significantly affects the system's performance. Internet is already expensive, and if you've invested in a mesh router system, you should be getting the speeds you're paying for. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind as you go. (You can also check out our tips on the best location for your Wi-Fi router and how to protect your home Wi-Fi network from hackers.) Where should you place your mesh router? Mesh routers and other Wi-Fi devices perform their best when they're located out in the open, and up off of the ground. Netgear First, you'll want the main router, or the mesh device wired to your modem, to be located as centrally in your home as possible. That's the same approach you'd take with a single router, and the reasoning is the same: Routers put out Wi-Fi signals in all directions, so placing your router in a central location within your home will maximize your connection. Locating local internet providers That goes double for mesh systems, where the strength of the connection near your nodes will largely depend on the strength of the incoming signal from the main router. A stronger connection between the two will help ensure you're getting the fastest Wi-Fi speeds throughout your home. Your options for moving the router might seem limited by the location of your modem and the incoming wiring for your home's internet connection, but an extra-long Ethernet cable can come in handy here, allowing you to move the router away from where the modem sits if necessary. If that's impractical or you'd prefer to keep the cables to a minimum, you'll at least want to move that main router out into the open, preferably as high off the ground as possible. This guide from Asus highlights a mesh rule of thumb -- for the best performance, try to keep each device in your setup no more than two rooms away from another one. Asus Move those extenders around Once the main router is situated in the best spot possible, you'll want to pick out good spots for the extenders. With most systems, you can connect each device to the main router with an Ethernet cable for the fastest speeds possible, but most people prefer to connect everything wirelessly to reduce clutter. Since Wi-Fi is slower than Ethernet, you'll want to be extra strategic about where you place the extenders throughout your home. Again, out in the open and off the ground is your best bet for a clear signal, but you'll also want to consider the layout of your home, as physical obstructions between the main router and the extenders can slow things down. Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb is to try and keep the devices in your mesh setup no more than two rooms away from each other. That'll vary from home to home, especially if yours is built with dense materials like brick or concrete in the walls that can be difficult for Wi-Fi signals to penetrate. You'll also want to watch out for electronic interference from TVs and other large appliances. So, if you're sticking a mesh extender in the kitchen, resist the urge to hide it on top of the fridge and move it away from your appliances altogether. Most mesh systems come with companion apps that include placement guides for your devices, signal strength checks, and other diagnostic tools to help you make sure you've got everything in the best spot possible. Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET Furniture can also block Wi-Fi signals, so if you have anything large or bulky between two of your mesh devices, consider relocating it. Aquariums are another classic antagonist for your mesh setup, as Wi-Fi has difficulty transmitting through water. The best way to ensure that your mesh network is as well-connected as possible is to open its app and check the signal strength of each device, which is something most systems offer. You can also find system-specific guidance online at the links below: Avoid these dead zones If you've got a back corner of your home where the signal drops out, it might be tempting to stick a mesh extender smack in the middle of that dead zone to boost your speeds. In a lot of cases, that'd be a mistake. Remember, like your phone or laptop, your mesh extenders need to connect wirelessly with the main router in your setup. If that back corner is a dead zone for your phone or laptop, it'll likely be a dead zone for your mesh extender too. The better approach is to place that extender adjacent to the dead zone in a spot where it'll have an easier time connecting with the main router. In some cases, that might be halfway between the dead zone and the main router, but you might need to experiment a bit. Hit the sweet spot, and the Wi-Fi signal it puts out should be a healthy one, and one that'll extend into the dead zone to bring it back to life. A good speed test will help you understand how your Wi-Fi is holding up from room to room. James Martin/CNET Run a speed test Apart from the diagnostic tools in your mesh router's app, the fastest way to check on your system's performance is to run some speed tests. There are plenty of free services online that we recommend, any of which will tell you the upload and download speeds on whatever device you're using in a minute or less. For the best intel, grab your laptop or phone and run multiple speed tests in each room of your house where you need a usable Wi-Fi signal. Ultimately, you should have a good ballpark sense of where speeds are the steadiest and where they dip. From there, you could try moving your extenders to try and balance things out, or you could consider buying an additional extender to fill in any gaps. Either way, your home should be all set with a strong signal wherever needed. Running a speed test can help you figure out the best spot to put your mesh router. Chris Monroe/CNET Other considerations for your mesh router Just remember that your mesh router can only offer speeds that are as fast as what you're paying for from your ISP. If speeds are widely insufficient in your home, then it might be time to consider upgrading to a faster plan (and it might be worth seeing if your ISP will let you try a faster plan for a few days to see if that is, indeed, the problem). Your ISP might also be able to provide you with an updated modem that'll bring better, faster speeds to your mesh system to begin with. Can't hurt to ask. If speeds still seem slower than you'd like, and your ISP isn't the answer, there are a few other things you can try. For starters, if your provider's modem is a gateway device that doubles as a router, you'll want to disable its Wi-Fi network so that it doesn't interfere with your mesh system's Wi-Fi network. Speaking of interference, it's possible that a neighbor's Wi-Fi network is interfering with yours. To remedy that, hop into your mesh router's app and look for channel settings that let you tune your network to a different part of the Wi-Fi airwaves, potentially steering away from whatever channel nearby networks use. You'll also want to ensure that your mesh system's firmware is updates, which should be easy to check within its app. For more, check out our picks for the best Wi-Fi 6 routers, and how to find free Wi-Fi anywhere in the world. Mesh router placement FAQ Where is the best mesh node placement? The best place for your mesh router nodes depends on the layout of your house and whether there are any dead zones. Additionally, you'll have to decide if you want to connect your mesh nodes with an Ethernet cable, for the fastest possible speeds, or wirelessly. If you opt for an Ethernet cable connection, you'll be more limited with how far away you can place the nodes, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the mesh nodes no more than two rooms away from each other, away from blockage from bulky furniture or electronics and in an upraised position. Instead of placing your mesh node in the middle of a dead zone, try placing it adjacent to or near the dead zone. That way, your node will still be close enough to your main mesh router to carry the signal. ...Read more Does mesh make internet faster? A common misconception about mesh routers is that they make your overall internet speeds faster. A mesh router network is perfect for ensuring consistent speeds throughout the house -- and keeping any dead zones to a minimum -- but they won't necessarily bring faster speeds. Like a standard Wi-Fi router, mesh router systems can only deliver the speeds that you're paying for from your ISP. Updated router equipment, optimized router location and an Ethernet connection are ultimately the easiest ways to get faster internet speeds. ...Read more What is a major disadvantage of a mesh network? One of the major downsides of a mesh router system is its high price: High-performing mesh routers tend to be more expensive than traditional Wi-Fi routers. If you're trying to boost your Wi-Fi, you should exhaust other options before investing in a brand-new mesh router system. Additionally, mesh routers tend to have fewer ports for connecting USB jacks or Ethernet cables, and some don't have any extra ports at all. ...Read more
CNET
5 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Don't Overpay for Internet: 8 Ways to Slash Your Internet Bill
These days having access to internet service at home is less of a luxury and more of a necessity. However, that doesn't mean that reliable, high-speed internet service comes cheap. On average, Americans are paying $78 per month for service at home, and according to a recent CNET survey, that bill has gone up dramatically since 2024. Your internet bill can easily jump, especially if you're renting a router from your provider or dealing with regular price increases. There are a few cheaper internet providers, but they often come with lower speeds or other drawbacks. In most cases if you want high-speed internet you'll be looking at a higher bill. Whether you use the internet for remote work, streaming your favorite shows, online gaming or keeping up with family, it's hard to live without a decent internet connection. We get it. To keep your budget in check and avoid overpaying for broadband, there are a few simple ways to achieve a lower internet bill. How to get a lower internet bill We'll go in-depth for each option, but in summary, here are your steps to achieving a lower internet bill. Closely examine your internet bill Evaluate how much speed you really need Minimize your devices when possible Explore low-cost internet options Research available competitors Use your own equipment Bundle your broadband Negotiate with your provider 1. First things first, closely examine your internet bill Before you can find ways to save, first figure out what you're actually paying. It's important to determine how much you pay for internet speed and your household's average monthly data usage. Are you getting a good cost per Mbps for the speed your household is using? Read the fine print from your most recent bills to calculate what your internet service provider is actually charging you. Be sure to also check out your ISP's broadband labels, which might explain some of those hidden fees on your internet bill. The Federal Communications Commission requires that ISPs disclose these details to their customers but sometimes those broadband labels are either buried on an ISP's website or not included. While you can't remove some fees, you'd be surprised at how many can be eliminated if you ask. So, having this info at hand will be key when it's time to negotiate with your provider. Locating local internet providers CNET If you're not sure what download speed you're supposed to receive, you can find that information on your ISP's broadband label for the plan you signed up for. Are you getting the advertised speeds for that plan? You can take a simple internet speed test to figure out how much speed you're actually getting. If your speeds are somewhat slower, you may need to optimize your Wi-Fi setup. Do you have a data cap? If so, are you staying within that data limit, or do you typically incur overage fees? If you're using too much data every month, it may be time to upgrade to the next tier or to move on to an ISP that doesn't enforce data caps. 2. Evaluate how much speed you really need You want the fastest speed available, right? Some folks have access to a 50Gbps plan, for goodness sake! But let's be honest. While most of us like the idea of having the fastest internet speed available, we probably don't need it. A fast internet plan is probably near the top of your priority list if you work from home and have others in the house (whether several roommates or a family). But that could still mean you can lean on a 500Mbps plan before jumping right to a full gigabit tier or even a multi-gigabit plan. But if it's just you and a roommate or spouse, or you're not working remotely and using your internet service for little more than email and streaming, you may want to consider lowering your internet speed even more. Perhaps you can hop down from a gigabit plan to a 500Mbps tier. That could be an easy way to get a lower internet bill without impacting the quality of your broadband experience. To evaluate your household's speed use, you can turn to our internet speed guide. Count the number of devices in your home that use significant bandwidth (including those smart home devices!), the number of heavy internet users in your house and the amount of data you're consuming monthly. That should give you a good picture of whether you're getting enough speed. 3. Minimize your devices, if you can This is tough because our homes have become increasingly filled with connected devices, including smart TVs, phones, gaming consoles, voice assistants, smart thermostats, security cameras, smartwatches, etc. The more smart home gadgets you have, the more they'll hog your bandwidth. If you're the only one in your household, you can better wrangle these so they don't eat up your data cap (if you have one) or start to bring down your home's overall speed. Fewer devices mean you might avoid paying data overage fees and get more effective internet service. On the other hand, this probably won't work if you have other people in your home -- like family or roommates -- and they all have multiple devices. It's one thing to ask your family or roommates to turn off (or minimize the use of) their devices so you can stream a big game but it's another to ask them to give them up altogether. In a larger household, knocking down the number of devices connected to your home internet may be hard.4. Explore low-cost internet options Another potential way to reduce your spending and get a lower internet bill is to look into what discount programs might be available. You should start your search with government programs to help eligible customers cut costs. Lifeline is a program that offers assistance to low-income households, offering about $9 monthly off your broadband bill if you're eligible. Our low-income internet state-by-state guide has a breakdown of ISPs with low-cost offerings or state programs that may help with your bill. While you can use the funds and discounts from federal programs like Lifeline on your internet plan, you can also couple those subsidies with providers' low-cost plans, almost all of which are $30 or less. In the past, that might have meant paltry speeds of 10Mbps or less, but since 2022, many providers have committed to offering low-cost plans with a minimum of 100Mbps download speed in accordance with the new FCC guideline on broadband speeds. That's a significant difference. 5. Research available competitors Shop a bit before making up your mind about your next internet provider. Sarah Tew/CNET Now that you know your internet speed, what you use it for and what you're paying to receive your home broadband, it's time to shop around. A lot of internet competitors are vying for your business -- and they try to make it as enticing as possible for customers to switch over. For example, T-Mobile and Verizon have aggressively entered the home internet space with their 5G home internet products. Verizon 5G Home Internet offers a range of perks and streaming add-ons and a contract buyout if you're stuck with another ISP. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offers similar perks, like a pre-paid Mastercard up to $300. Other providers will happily give you an introductory rate less than what you currently pay. Sometimes, smaller, local ISPs can provide a better rate than the internet behemoths such as AT&T and Xfinity but that's not always the case. Use our comparison shopping tool to research providers in your area. Before signing up, get an idea of your monthly costs when you switch your internet service to a new provider. Compare what you're paying now to what you'll pay for the next month, six months and year. Along with that, what's the cost after the promo plan ends? Consider your long-term use as well. With the competitive landscape out there, try to find internet providers without long-term contract requirements -- unless you know that you're getting the best possible rate at your address. Starlink Satellites Are Bringing Internet to Millions. We'll Explain the Pros and Cons Starlink Satellites Are Bringing Internet to Millions. We'll Explain the Pros and Cons Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 2:38 Loaded : 22.50% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 2:38 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Use your own equipment Some internet providers charge an extra monthly fee for renting a modem and router. That fee can range from $5 monthly to as much as $20. In many cases, it may be cheaper to buy your own instead of paying an additional $15 monthly for several years. Plus, you may find you can get a higher-performing, faster router than the one being leased to you by your ISP. CNET's Joe Supan tested this by purchasing his equipment and saving hundreds of dollars as a result. While the cost for a router may seem like a lot upfront (many decent routers cost between $100 to $200), that cost will likely pay for itself after a year. And you can continue saving on your internet bill each month. 7. Bundle your broadband Obviously, your internet connection isn't the only household service you pay for. You could pay less by bundling your internet with other services, such as your cellphone and cable TV plans. For instance, T-Mobile and Verizon offer customers a $10 or $20 discount if they bundle their home internet with eligible mobile plans. See if your provider offers discounted bundle packages. If you like the offer, signing up through the company's website is usually easy. This is a good idea if you use what you buy. If you've cut the cord and are now a streaming household, buying a cable TV package might not be the best move. But there are plenty of mobile and internet bundles to choose from to help cut costs. 8. Negotiate with your internet provider You've reviewed your bill and checked your internet speed. You've counted how many devices you have and compared competing offers. Now you can take the final step and try negotiating with your current ISP. It's a daunting prospect, but ultimately, it is one of the most important ways to get a lower internet bill. If you've had the same provider for a few years, it's more likely to work with you on lowering your bill. Many will ask the same questions: Can you reduce your internet speed? Can you increase your internet speed (they'll often try to lure you to a higher speed by offering better promos and a better cost per Mbps)? Now that you've done all the research and evaluation, you're better equipped to wisely answer those questions. Before you pick up the phone, do your research on the internet plans from competing ISPs available at your address. If you mention offers from competitors you've come across, your customer service rep may give you a deal to keep you a happy customer. Knowing about competing offers gives you an advantage: Your provider knows you can move on to another ISP if you don't like what you currently have or what's offered. Ask your current provider if any internet deals are available for new customers. If you haven't found a deal that works for your budget (or you've run into an inflexible sales agent), it's all right to end the call and try again later -- or plan on ending service with that provider so you can switch to a better one. Don't be afraid to cancel your service. It may take some time to close one account and open another, but saving a significant amount is worth it. Remember, though, that it's not just about the promotion period. Otherwise, you may need to negotiate your internet bill this time next year when the promo rate is over. Save money on your internet bill FAQs Is it possible to get your home internet service free? Maybe. You'll need to take advantage of some federal programs to do so. Start with Lifeline, a government program that can get eligible customers a little more than $9 off the monthly cost of internet service. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended in May 2024, leaving millions of Americans without access to cheap home internet, but many ISPs offer low-cost internet plans. Check out our low-income internet state-by-state guide to determine which programs are available in your area. What's the cheapest type of internet connection? That's a tricky question because so much depends on what's available at your location. Generally speaking, fiber internet will often provide the best cost per Mbps, where you'll get more download and upload speed for your money. However, regarding the cheapest internet, at least in terms of what you'll pay right out of the gate, that usually comes from cable internet providers. Their first-year promo prices can be tough to beat. Just avoid signing any long-term contract so you can opt out once the price increases.
CNET
6 days ago
- CNET
I Update My Router's Firmware Regularly to Get Top-Notch Wi-Fi: Here's How to Do It, Stress-Free
When it comes to internet issues, there can be many culprits. The blame usually lies with either your internet provider or your equipment. If you're not experiencing the issue when you're plugged in with an Ethernet cable, your Wi-Fi router is likely the problem. Before you toss your router, it might be worth taking some time to upgrade its firmware first. Updating the firmware (a process often called "flashing the firmware") can help a router work better and sometimes even repair an annoying bug or add support for faster internet speed. This is especially when a router reset doesn't help. Most routers require you to use a desktop or mobile app to perform the update, but some will use a web-based interface and the procedure will go something like this: Download the firmware from the vendor's support website, which is often contained inside a .zip file. In this case, open this zip file and copy the firmware file out. Log into the router's web interface, which is similar to when you first set it up, then navigate to the section where you can update the firmware. This is normally in the Administration , System , Setup , Advance or Tools area. , , , or area. Click on the button to browse for the new firmware file Click on Update (or Upload) then wait for a few minutes for the process to complete. Note that the update process needs to run without interruption. If you unplug/turn off the router during this time, that can render the device unusable. Networking vendors generally have clear instructions on how to flash a particular router. It's recommended that you follow them. Also, flashing the firmware might reset the router's settings to default, so you might want to save the settings to a file before the upgrade in case this happens. Many routers have the automatic firmware update function within the web interface. In this case just run this function, let the router download the firmware and update by itself.
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
WiFi alert issued to all UK homes to check routers NOW over ‘mass blackout' risk
TEMPERATURES are soaring across the UK this weekend with Brits enjoying the sunshine. Although hot weather is great for BBQs and tanning, your internet connection might suffer. 1 UK homes could experience connectivity issues with 25 per cent slower WI-FI. According to Broadband Genie, high temperatures could overheat your router with upload speeds dropping by 27 per cent. These black boxes, just like most devices, don't like being too hot and could completely shut down. In order to avoid a total blackout, it is advised to keep your router away from the direct sunlight. The Broadband Genie team told Mirror: 'Broadband companies design and test their equipment to operate in and around temperatures up to 40°C. 'If users can keep their broadband router below this, we'll avoid a wave of mass broadband blackouts. 'Customers should check their router isn't placed in an unsuitable spot, such as next to any sunny south-facing window or a sweltering loft space. 'A couple of minutes taken here will save your broadband grinding to a halt, avoiding any broadband-related frustrations.' But don't tuck away your router inside a cabinet either as that could block the signal. It is recommended to place your black box at least 30cm off the floor on a flat, hard surface. Brand new Wi-Fi router revealed Broadband Genie also warns pet owners to keep their fur babies away from the router. Your fluffy friend's fur could congest the air ducts which will prevent ventilation. If your router is too old and is struggling to keep cool even with all precautions taken, you might want to consider an upgrade. Experts say households should replace their router once every five years, at the very least. The newer models run cooler and aren't as perceptive to the temperature, and they could cost you only £50. If all else fails and the temperatures reach 40+ degrees, it is best to disconnect from the internet and bask in the Sun while giving your devices a break.
