For a long time, broadband speed in rural areas has been a little lacklustre at best. Limited availability, extra lag, and unreliable connectivity are typically part of what’s signed up for. Not ideal.
But, it’s getting better, we promise - with more government investment and a wider rollout of Full-Fibre broadband that’s set to keep expanding. If you’re a small business in a hard-to-reach location looking to get a better business broadband bundle or you have remote workers with ongoing internet issues, this guide is for you.
Here are the best tips and internet options for rural areas.
How to improve broadband speed in rural areas
Before jumping into solutions, you should first check what internet options are available in your local area. As part of the ‘Big Switch Off’, Openreach - responsible for the UK’s digital network - are upgrading fibre-optic infrastructure across the country, meaning more Full-Fibre broadband availability across the UK.
Check to see if fibre is available in your area.
If you’re a small business in a rural location or operate from a home office with broadband connectivity issues, try these tips on how to get better broadband in your area.
1. Set up a Wi-Fi signal booster
If your business or home office struggles to maintain a decent broadband speed, you could look into installing a Wi-Fi signal booster.
A Wi-Fi booster works just as you’d expect it to. It scans for a signal from your existing router, amplifies it, and then rebroadcasts it to harder-to-reach spots of your premises with a stronger connection.
Where should I put my Wi-Fi booster?
You can choose either a wired or wireless Wi-Fi booster. For particularly sluggish Wi-Fi speeds, wired signal boosters typically offer faster speeds.
No matter which you choose, your Wi-Fi booster should be placed between a ‘dead zone’ and your router.
At Clear Business, our packages are designed with rural internet in mind. With our Wi-Fi 6 mesh system, we can significantly reduce Wi-Fi dead zones. Enquire today for our Extended business broadband package.
2. Upgrade or switch your rural internet provider
If it’s been a while since you’ve last browsed broadband deals, then it could be time to shop around. Broadband providers compete - always.
Upgrading your package could be your first option. Though this may mean a higher monthly cost, it could be worth it when considering the positive impact on your overall business efficiency and operations.
However, if - even with an upgrade - your service provider is no longer keeping up with the market, it may be time to move on.
Note: Some providers also have a better service depending on location. If you’re somewhere remote and find Wi-Fi problems to be common for your small business, it may be that you aren’t in the ideal bounds of your current provider’s coverage.
3. Upgrade your Wi-Fi router
Though it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on broadband deals, without a decent router, internet speed can still be a problem. Often overlooked, Wi-Fi routers do age, which will impact speed in time.
Upgrading to a more modern router has its benefits: improved traffic handling if you need to add more users, better bandwidth, and wider-reaching range.
How do you know when to upgrade your Wi-Fi router?
This depends on usage. Experts recommend that the average user should replace their router at least every 5 years. For those who use multiple devices with it, every two to three years.
Should your Wi-Fi router be showing any of the below, it’s a sign it could be time:
● Slow speeds
● Poor connection
● Malfunctioning hardware
● Incompatibility with newer devices (you may need to upgrade)
● Overheating or making odd sounds
Internet options for rural areas are expanding
Though faster speeds with conventional broadband haven’t always been an option, more recent government initiatives and increased funding have been paving the way to a more modern, fibre-optic UK countryside.
With Project Gigabit, the UK government has now signed £1 billion in new contracts to upgrade broadband infrastructure in rural communities. So, if you’re a small business in a hard-to-reach location, it’s good news - your remote internet options are expanding, making limited availability and slower speeds a thing of the past.
Ready to make the switch to a faster business broadband package?
We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with our friendly team today.
