How to Boost Your Internet in Rural Areas
Living in a rural area shouldn’t mean settling for slow or unreliable internet. Whether you're dealing with lag during video calls, struggling with streaming, or just need a more stable connection, there are effective solutions to enhance your internet performance. In this guide, we’ll show you how to boost your internet speed and Wi-Fi coverage to ensure you get the best possible connection, even in remote areas of Scotland and North England.
1. Upgrade to full fibre broadband
First things first—if you don’t have full fibre in your home yet, it’s time to make the switch. Full fibre broadband is the most advanced technology out there. Unlike older broadband types, it uses fibre optic cables instead of copper wires, delivering a faster, more reliable connection to your home. This means better speed, performance, and reliability.
Our full fibre is already a reality in many rural areas, and we’re working tirelessly to bring rural full fibre to more towns across Scotland and North England. So, be sure to keep an eye on our availability checker!
2. Limit background usage
Some apps and devices love to quietly eat up bandwidth in the background, slowing down your connection without you even realising. Cloud backups, automatic updates, and streaming apps running in the background can all take a toll on your speed. To keep your Wi-Fi running smoothly, check your device settings and pause non-essential updates or backups during peak usage times.
3. Use the right Wi-Fi band (2.4GHz vs. 5GHz)
Wi-Fi routers often support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The 2.4GHz band covers a larger area and is better at penetrating walls but tends to be slower and more congested. The 5GHz band is faster but covers a shorter range. If you’re close to the router, switch to 5GHz for speed. If you're further away, 2.4GHz might be the better option.
4. Reduce the number of connected devices
Every device connected to your Wi-Fi is sharing your bandwidth. Phones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and even smart home gadgets can all add up, putting extra strain on your connection. If your internet is feeling sluggish, try disconnecting devices you’re not using or setting up guest networks to limit traffic.
5. Consider upgrading your router
If you’ve got an older router, it might not support Wi-Fi 6 technology. This technology is built to handle more devices simultaneously, boost speeds, and enhance overall efficiency. Upgrading can seriously level up your performance—especially in households with tons of connected devices. Check out our Standard router and Advanced Router to discover the powerful features of two top-tier routers that can take your Wi-Fi to the next level!
6. Place your router in a central location
For those in rural homes, even with high-speed internet, placement of the router can make a big difference in signal strength. Position your router in the centre of your home, ideally on a shelf, and away from thick walls, doors, or anything metal that could interfere with the signal. The closer it is to where you'll be using your devices most—like the living room or home office—the better.
Avoid putting your router near appliances like microwaves, baby monitors, or anything else that could disrupt the signal. Try experimenting with different spots to find the optimal position.
7. Boost your Wi-Fi range with a mesh network
Got a large home, thick walls, or multiple floors? A single router might struggle to keep up. If your current router supports mesh networking, adding extra routers around your house can spread your signal evenly, eliminating dead zones and delivering strong, reliable Wi-Fi to every corner.
8. Use a wired connection (Ethernet)
For the fastest, most stable connection, plug in. Wi-Fi is great for convenience, but a wired Ethernet connection gives you ultra-reliable speeds with zero interference. Perfect for gaming, video calls, or any activity that needs rock-solid performance. If your device has an Ethernet port, connecting directly to your router is a game-changer.
9. Consider upgrading your internet package
If your broadband isn’t keeping up, it might be time for an upgrade. If full fibre is available in your area, check out a package that suits your household. It all comes down to how many people and devices are online at the same time and what they’re doing. Gaming, HD and 4K streaming, and video calls demand more bandwidth, so make sure your connection can handle peak-time traffic without a hitch. Our broadband speed guide can help you figure out what speed you actually need.
Slow, unreliable internet doesn’t have to be the norm in rural areas—there are ways to boost your speed and strengthen your connection. With the right tweaks, a few smart upgrades, and (if available) a switch to full fibre broadband, you can enjoy ultra-fast, rock-solid connectivity no matter where you live.
