Follow our broadband basics to get the most out of your service.
Mbps and MBps: what's the difference?
When measuring your broadband speed, it's important to know the difference between Megabytes and Megabits. Megabits (Mb) are used to measure internet download and upload speeds, whereas Megabytes (MB) are used to measure the size of computer files, such as JPEG images.
A Megabit is 1/8th of the size of a Megabyte. So to download a 1 MB file in 1 second, your broadband speed would need to be 8 Mbps.
Set-up your router properly
How you set-up your router will make a big difference to your broadband. The following things are really important:
- Use your bOnline router.
- Plug it into your master phone socket - This is the one where your phone line comes into your house.
- Leave things running - Turning your router on and off all the time will slow things down.
- Plug in the right kit - As well as your router, use the new power supply, cables and microfilters.
Get closer to your router and keep it away from household appliances. If your house is large or has thick walls, your wireless signal might not reach every room. In that case, you can purchase Powerline adapters to help your signal go further. These are available from any electronics shop.
Clean it up, speed it up
The computer you use can make a big difference to your speed. To keep everything running smoothly, make sure you update your browser, clear out viruses and spyware and close any programs or browser tabs that you aren't using.