There’s nothing more frustrating than having slow broadband. There are a number of reasons why broadband might be suffering – from a problem with the modem or router to having too many devices connected to the server. But how can you tell if the issues you’re having are down to slow broadband?
Below are the top 10 signs that your broadband is slow.
Slow broadband: the signs
We can all agree on one thing – in this new digital age, connectivity is key. You need to ensure that your communications are all clear, with minimal audio or visual lag. As conferences and other events move online, ensuring your broadband can keep up will help streamline your business and minimise stress for organisers. These are the signs that your broadband might not be up to scratch.
1. Webpages take time to load
There’s nothing more irritating – you’re at your desk, waiting patiently, but the webpage is still buffering and showing no signs of loading. If this sounds about right, it’s likely that your broadband is too slow. While it’s sometimes down to badly designed websites, a recurring issue is probably a sign of a problem on your end.
2. Voice lags and out-of-sync audio
With so many of us working from home, you need broadband that can stand up to the call quality necessary for your daily meetings. If your broadband is slow, your audio and visual output will be asynchronous, and you may experience lagging and broken or frozen communications. Alternatively, calls may randomly disconnect – an absolute nightmare if you have essential business meetings.
3. Unable to use multiple devices
Multiple devices are a must for any organisation, and even most households. If all of your office computers are buffering slowly, and if it takes a while for all devices to load and function, it’s likely that your broadband is too slow to cope. You might not need super speedy broadband, but you at least need a service that will keep normal business ticking over.
4. Buffering feels like a bad movie cliffhanger
Ever hit play on an employee training video, only for it to freeze mid-sentence? That’s buffering, a telltale sign that your internet isn’t keeping up. Slow broadband can turn everything from solo training sessions to group presentations into stuttering headaches.
5. Emails that move like snail mail
If hitting “send” feels more like posting a stamped letter, your broadband could be the issue. Slow uploads mean even simple tasks like sending an email with an attachment can drag on forever.
6. Uploads and downloads are painfully slow
Waiting for files to download shouldn’t feel like watching paint dry. If your cloud uploads or downloads are taking longer than your lunch break, it’s probably time to upgrade your slow broadband.
7. Cloud apps acting clunky
From project management tools to collaborative platforms, cloud apps are the workhorses of modern organisations. Your entire workflow can be thrown off balance when these apps start freezing or become sluggish due to slow broadband.
8. Your team can’t video conference without issues
Video conferencing is an invaluable tool for organisations and is set to boast a market value of $22.26 billion by 2032. But when issues like video freezes, dropped calls and out-of-sync audio start to appear, suddenly video conferencing isn’t so great. These types of problems can not only disrupt important meetings but also kill team morale. The culprit nine out of 10 times? Slow broadband.
9. Online tools lag
Using your CRM or other online tools shouldn’t feel like using software in the 90s. Chances are your broadband is the problem when apps take ages to load or freeze often.
10. Wi-Fi black spots
Does your office feel like it has Bermuda Triangle zones where Wi-Fi mysteriously vanishes? The problem might not just be the router. Your internet connection could be too weak to cover your space effectively and as a result, leave half your team stuck working in dead spots.
Speeding up your slow broadband
The good news? You don’t have to put up with slow broadband. Upgrading to a better connection can make all the difference. Boosting your broadband speed is easier (and more affordable) than you might think.
Here are some top options to consider:
FTTP (fibre to the premises)
FTTP brings fibre-optic broadband straight to your door and delivers ultra-fast speeds that can handle the heaviest digital loads. It’s perfect for organisations that need consistent, high-speed performance without drops.
- Speeds as high as 1Gbps
- lower latency & faster connectivity
- Extra bandwidth for data-hungry digital tools
- Higher resilience
- A future-proof IT infrastructure solution
SOGEA
Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SOGEA for short) combines broadband and phone services into one neat package. It eliminates the need for a traditional phone line and strikes a good balance between speed and price. There’s no interference from traditional phone line frequencies so expect a major improvement in reliability.
- Uncapped broadband
- Download speeds of up to 80Mbps
- Easy upgrade to FTTP
- Cost-effective
- Switch-off proof solution
Leased lines
Leased lines provide a dedicated connection that’s all yours. No sharing with neighbouring businesses. You can count on reliable, uncontested internet. Ideal for businesses that need dependable performance around the clock.
- Your own private connection
- Symmetrical upload and download speeds
- Consistent performance
Talk to VS Group today
If you experience any of the above issues, it sounds like you have slow broadband, and it’s time to troubleshoot. At VS Group, we offer a range of connectivity services to eliminate slow broadband for charities and small businesses.
Chat with an advisor today to find out more about the best broadband for your requirements.
