Improve your Wi-Fi speed

Walls, floors, microwaves, and even fish tanks can weaken a wireless connection and slow down your Wi-Fi. If you’re experiencing slow speeds or having coverage issues around your home we have some tips. Start by completing a speed test to determine the connection speed you are receiving.

*TDS customers can purchase a supported mesh Wi-Fi network to ensure stronger Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home.

Troubleshooting Matrix

Problem	Things to Try
Frequent connection drops	Move device closer to the router
	Move the router so that it's closer to your device
	If you are connected on the 2.4GHz band, and you see other networks, power cycle your router to select a new channel
	If you are using a device that stays in one place, like a game console, consider connecting with a network cable instead
	Check for things that can cause interference, like baby monitors, Bluetooth connections, or microwave ovens, turn them off to see if the problem goes away.
Slower than expected speeds	Move closer to the router--the 5GHz range (that supports faster connections) is smaller than the 2.4GHz range
	Age of device - Wi-Fi capabilities have changed rapidly--older devices may not allow you to connect at the fastest speeds. Here are some example devices and their expected maximum connected speed over Wi-Fi : 2006 Older 802.11g device: 32 Mbps 2013 Apple iPad Air: 250 Mbps 2013 Apple MacBook Pro: 240 Mbps 2013 Samsung Tab 8: 55 Mbps 2014 Apple iPhone 6: 250 Mbps 2014 HP Elitebook: 135 Mbps 2016 Acer Aspire: 525 Mbps 2016 Apple iPhone 7+: 490 Mbps 2017 Samsung Galaxy S8: 490 Mbpspg

Ethernet Connections are the Fastest

• The best way to maximize speed is to connect your devices through an Ethernet cable. There’s often some degradation in speeds between the hardwired connection and a Wi-Fi connection.

Modem Placement

• Placement of your Wi-Fi router is very important. TDS’ top recommendations are:
  • Place the modem/router in the center of your home on the first level
  • Off the ground and in a room where the internet is frequently used.
• Avoid placing your modem/router near physical barriers that can disrupt the Wi-Fi signal. Here are some of the top signal disrupters.

Check your devices

• Each device connected to your Wi-Fi is taking up a portion of your available speed.
• Some older devices don’t have the required network adapter to process faster speeds. Check your device manufacturer’s website or manual for details.

Secure your Network

• Make sure your Wi-Fi networks have a password so only authorized devices are utilizing your bandwidth.