How to optimise the speed of your internet connection

There are some simple ways to optimize the speed of your internet connection. — Photography fizkes/Getty Images/AFP Relaxnews

First of all, to get the best possible speed, it's better to use a wired connection – in other words, use a cable. For your TV set-top box and any other device located near your main internet access point, modem or gateway, this is quite easy to achieve. For surfing the web on your computer, it's obviously more restrictive, but if you connect directly to your modem with an Ethernet cable, you will benefit from an optimal speed. In any case, even if powerful, a WiFi connection will always be inferior to an Ethernet connection. It can also be a little more risky because it's more vulnerable to potential hacking.

But WiFi is much more flexible to use, especially with a laptop, a tablet or even your smartphone when you're at home and don't have an unlimited data plan. In this case, following certain rules can help you benefit from an efficient wireless connection. First of all, if possible, you should place your internet modem or router in the center of your home, in a clear space. If you live in a large apartment or house, you should not hesitate to connect one or more routers to your main unit. This will boost both the range and the quality of the WiFi signal in all the rooms, without losing too much speed.