How to Boost Your Weak Internet Connection Signal in Areas with Poor Network Coverage

My home is the inspiration behind this post actually. I happen to be staying in a house where I have a network signal for all four major GSM networks I am subscribed to. Unfortunately, when it comes to internet network signals, the quality is poor for most of the networks. The most stable(9mobile) one happens to be the most expensive in terms of data subscription hence my taking the initiative to try to increase the internet signal strength of the other networks with a poorer signal in my home.

Luckily, I made a breakthrough with very simple manipulation which I will be sharing with you today. In moderate cases, you won’t need an extra device. However, in extreme cases, you may need to buy a Wi-Fi signal booster. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. I used all the tools in my arsenal to make sure I get a good and stable internet signal on my other lines which are: MTN Nigeria, and Airtel. I only failed on glo because glo 3g in my house has only 1 Bar of network signal.

    Before I proceed, I will first let you know that this is only relevant when you are targeting a more stable network speed for your internet connection. The first step you must also take is to first force your device to use only 3g network by reading my article here.

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What you need to have in order to Increase Internet Signal strength

Before starting with the improvements, run a speed test to get a baseline of your internet speed. This way you can easily quantify how much you were able to improve your speed by increasing your signal strength.

First off, As part of the requirements, you also need to ensure that you have at least one bar of signal strength on your device(this could be a 3g, 4g, or 5g device). That is a phone, router, or USB modem.   There must be an actual signal in your location. In other words, if there is no signal at all, it will be very difficult to boost it. you can’t give what you don’t have. We are dealing with weak signals here, not zero signal

1. In the case of a USB Wi-Fi router or modem, you need to use a long USB extension cable.
2. If you have a Wi-Fi router make sure it is a rechargeable one.
3. Be ready to upgrade your Internet data subscription if the occasion demands it

 

Steps to Increase Internet Signal Strength in Areas with Network Coverage

First, you need to search every nook and cranny of your room/apartment within reasonable distance in other determine where the network signal is the strongest. Once you determine this, it will guide you on whether to buy a USB cable extension or get a dedicated smartphone with wifi hotspot capability.

98% of the tips here will not cost you any extra apart from your Internet Wi-Fi device. However, for the optimum result, you may need to buy one or two low-cost devices. I will cover the three most popular mediums for connecting to the Internet which are:

1. Via Wi-Fi or Mi-Fi Hotspot: This could be your phone or a mobile broadband
2. Through a dedicated wifi router
3. Through a USB Modem

• Place your Internet device in the proper location with the best signal

 

Let me start with a USB modem because I happen to own one myself. The picture above shows how i tweaked my USB internet modem/Datacard for the best internet signal reception in my location. The first step towards achieving success with this is to first, determining where the signal is at its best. And secondly, get a USB cable extension that is long enough from where you will place your modem to where your computer is. In my case, I got a 10 meters cable. yours may be shorter or longer. it depends.

In addition to the above, if you are using a wireless router, just make sure you predetermine where there is optimum signal and place it there. Mind you, where you get the best signal for one network could vary from where you get for the other. The picture below shows me getting the best signal for Airtel on my refrigerator while MTN works best on my window.

 

• Set your Mobile Network to use one network band at a time-disable network Auto Switch

If after placing your device at a location with the best network, you still experience fluctuating or unstable speed, the next step to take is to disable the auto-select of a network from within your device’s settings. Auto-select works best if all available networks are equally strong. otherwise, force your device to use the fastest available one.

• Don’t overload your Wi-Fi/Mi-Fi Router

This in particular usually causes trouble in the family. If you are on a slow network and you are sharing the same with people, your situation can only get worse. Even a fast connection can be overloaded. Therefore the first step is for you to make sure only a few people are connected to the router at a point in time. If you must share your connection on a slow network, I will advise you to get two routers. Besides, two routers afford you the needed flexibility as well.  You can put one at home and travel with the other. As a tradition, I only share my connection during off-peak periods.

You also need a power bank(especially for convenience)  from one of my pictures above, you can see that i connected my phone to my laptop power bank. you can use any mobile power bank in your own case. It will serve the same purpose.

• Use Strong WPA Wi-Fi Security to kick out any Unauthorized Persons

Another way to increase internet signal strength is to block unauthorized use of your connection. Your freeloading friends or neighbors will now have to search elsewhere. WPA encryption is much harder to hack than WEP, so go with WPA for your password. Regularly check if someone other than you is using your WiFi.

• Buy and use a Wi-Fi  Range Extender and Repeater

In case your WiFi signal is not evenly distributed across your home or office, what you need is a WiFi extender also known as a wifi booster. Basic but efficient wifi extender should do the trick. This probably won’t make your WiFi any faster, but at least you’ll have Internet access everywhere in your home or office. Some of the recommended brands include: Netgear,TP-Link Ac750, RIng, Galaway, and so on

• Always update your Wi-Fi or Modem’s Firmware

In reality, this is one aspect many easily ignore. New software brings improved performance which can also include better speed and signal. Router and modem manufacturers sometimes issue stability resolutions via driver updates. Go to the manufacturer’s website to download all new maintenance updates and changes.

• Get the Best Wi-Fi Router you can Afford: don’t buy inferior ones

Along the line, I had to upgrade my internet modems. Now am using a Huawei wifi router plus a USB modem combo. At the moment, I am currently enjoying the best of both worlds. Please get yourself a modern router and stand a chance to benefit from speed and stability gain.

• Buy a Portable Power Bank for your Mobile WiFi Hotspot

This in itself might not directly increase internet signal strength, however, it will reduce your frustration and it is more convenient to have one handy. I don’t joke with this because my wifi is always stationed somewhere that is not so easily accessible.

• If everything fails, Perform a speed test and Challenge your Internet service provider

It is the practice of some ISPs to throttle your speed once you have used up certain bandwidth. If your internet speed is still pathetic after trying all the tricks above, it is time to check the terms and conditions of your current data plan. Now,  check out what kind of speeds you are getting at Speedtest.net. If the speed is significantly lower than what you are paying for, discuss this matter with your internet provider. Research your internet service provider and consider switching to a company that doesn’t limit your Internet speeds.