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Knock knock! WiFi hungry neighbours are slowing down your internet

Zen Jun 21 2022

Brand new research from Zen Internet reveals the UK’s WiFi woes. When it comes to broadband, almost all UK adults (99%) are unaware of all the common household items and scenarios which could potentially be interfering with their connectivity.

Zen’s findings reveal over three quarters (76%) of people surveyed in the UK with broadband don’t know their neighbours’ broadband router may be hindering their own connection. Other routers on their road, or the dozens in close proximity within an apartment block, could be blocking their own WiFi signal due to too many operating on the same channel, or their frequency bands clashing. Within the house, 90% didn’t know their refrigerator could also be drowning out WiFi connections due to interfering radio signals if positioned too close to the router.

Myths busted

Almost a quarter (23%) of surveyed UK adults with broadband think devices must be placed next to a router to get the best connection. Surprisingly, almost one in seven (14%) also believe turning their router off at night can enhance its effectiveness the next day, with some perhaps turning it off for energy-saving reasons amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Nearly a third (29%) also believe hot spotting off a mobile device will give a better connection than connecting to WiFi. When it comes to the location of your router, over half (54%) don’t realise that elevating your router can enhance your connection. Whilst positioning your router as centrally as possible in the house will help improve the range across the household, where this is not possible, positioning your router in a high location will help the signal spread out further.

The common mistakes being made may be born out of a lack of understanding from consumers on the terms used in the industry. In fact, four in ten (40%) are not confident they know what Ethernet is, and almost a third (32%) are unsure how to define full fibre.

Last resorts to fix WiFi woes

It appears that UK households are facing plenty of WiFi troubles, with some resorting to other means in an attempt to boost connectivity. In fact, almost a third (30%) have been forced to connect to 4G or 5G networks when their WiFi network hasn’t been up to speed.

For those suffering from longer-term connectivity issues, perhaps due to living in an older house with thicker walls, almost a quarter (23%) have invested in a WiFi extender to improve the situation. Almost one in six (16%) have avoided switching broadband provider due to fears of internet downtime caused by switching.

Paul Stobart, CEO at Zen Internet, said: “UK households continue to rely on broadband for both work and play – it has become essential to our daily lives. This means that having a fast, reliable connection has become an even bigger non-negotiable. But even with the best internet service providers, there are a multitude of hidden inferences within the home itself, with many of us completely unaware of their potentially adverse effect on our connectivity. We hope that by exposing some of these myths and common misconceptions, as well as providing practical solutions, we can help households improve their experience and make the most of their WiFi.”

In a bid to help consumers get the most out of their broadband connections, the Zen technical support team reveals some common myths, and solutions to help enhance your connection.

Top Broadband Myths Busted by Zen
Myth	Busted	Advice
Devices must be placed next to a router in order for them to work effectively	Modern-day routers are able to provide sufficient connectivity for devices spread across a house.	Try to position your router in as central a location as possible to provide even coverage. Ensure a router is placed flat so its antenna can emit WiFi correctly. Keeping it about waist height in an electrically isolated space (i.e not behind a TV or next to an appliance) with clear line of sight to walls, ceilings, and floors to bounce around the signal will help. Having a router concealed or next to an appliance can cause the signal not to emit correctly around a home. For more information on ideal router positioning, see here: www.zen.co.uk/help-support/environmental-diagnostics
Turning your router off at night means it works better the next day	Your broadband router can be kept on 24/7, without any adverse impact on its efficacy or energy usage. Turning the router off at night can, in fact, disrupt the signal, ultimately slowing down your connectivity.	Any router updates such as security patches and the inclusion of new features take place overnight to minimize customer downtime. These will make the router more efficient which is why we always recommend leaving your router on overnight.
It takes over a month to switch broadband provider	It is possible to switch broadband provider in two weeks or faster without losing connectivity during the transition.	Don’t be afraid by the prospect of switching! A new provider may offer you a better package, without any interference in the process.
Your neighbours’ WiFi can’t interfere with your WiFi	Other routers on your road or in an apartment block in particular could be blocking your own WiFi signal due to too many operating on the same channel, or their frequency bands clashing.	A router s onnected to the channel with least interference from neighboring households, thereby ensuring WiFi networks can co-exist in harmony. The Zen Fritz!Box will automatically put the customer on the best channel.
Refrigerators can’t interfere with your WiFi	If positioned too close to your router, refrigerators and other electrical devices could be drowning out WiFi connections due to interfering radio signals and electrical interference.	Electronic devices in the home can't interfere with your WiFi if positioned too close to your router. When positioned too close to your router, other electrical devices could be blocking WiFi connections due to interfering radio signals and electrical interference. If possible, avoid positioning your router within proximity of other electrical devices, as they can act as a physical block to the radio signals from the router. For more information on overcoming electrical interference, see here: www.zen.co.uk/help-support/environmental-diagnostics