1 week Ago By Henna Sharma
VIRGIN Media customers are just realising they could be making a massive mistake that’s slowing down their broadband — but a simple WiFi trick could fix it in seconds. The internet giant has revealed a clever setting that can instantly boost your speed and improve signal strength at home..
. and ignoring it could leave your connection crawling to a halt. Advertisement 2 A simple switch could end sluggish streaming and banish dead zones – and it won’t cost you a penny Credit: PA 2 And Virgin warns that hiding the box might make it look better, but it’ll tank your speeds Credit: Sky A series of simple hacks could instantly speed up your Wi-Fi and banish dead zones for good — and all it takes is a better router spot.
Whether you're bingeing boxsets or gaming online, faster downloads often come at a cost, depending on your postcode and package. But Virgin's latest tips prove you don’t have to fork out for quicker speeds. Shared on the provider’s website, the golden rule is all about placement — and it turns out where you plonk your router could make or break your connection.
Advertisement more on virgin ONE TO WATCH Virgin Media customers can instantly unlock a FREE TV upgrade for Easter CHANGE CHANNEL Virgin Media customers receive two new FREE movie channels in latest upgrade Virgin says your best bet is keeping it in the centre of your home, raised up on a shelf or table, and well away from walls, mirrors, microwaves, fish tanks and baby monitors — all known to wreak havoc with your signal. And if you’ve been tempted to tuck it behind the telly or stuff it in a cupboard — don’t! Virgin warns that hiding the box might make it look better, but it’ll tank your speeds. Still struggling? Try a speed test via a wired connection, then compare it to your wireless speeds.
Advertisement Most read in Tech 'IT'S AWFUL' Scots celeb chef calls out party-of-10 diners after 'disgraceful' move Exclusive 'CARNAGE' Jail attack on Scots mob hitman 'linked to fugitive waging war on drug kingpin' Exclusive BACK FROM THE MED Benidorm set to return eight years on from being axed by ITV Breaking ROAD SMASH Woman in serious condition after three-car crash closes major Scots motorway If there’s a huge gap, your router might need relocating — or you could benefit from signal boosters. Customers can expect more free channels added to their boxes as the telecoms giant fights to keep up with streaming. Final TV Guide Shake-Up of 2024: Channel Changes Explained The firm has already added a number of streamed channels to the TV guide since last year in a bid to fill the gap from losses.
Virgin added two new streamed channels , Red Bull TV and Wonder. Advertisement In the past 12 months big name channels such as The Box , London Live and more recently Eurosport have disappeared from UK screens. Rival Sky's future very much appears to be in the streaming live TV space after announcing a second Sky Glass device in February, while its long-running satellite business remains with nine-year-old Sky Q boxes.
Virgin has its own streamed TV offering called Flex. David Bouchier, Virgin Media O2’s Chief TV & Entertainment Officer told the Connected TV World Summit that there are currently about 30 so-called FAST (Free Ad-Supported TV) channels. Advertisement But they planning to introduce as many as 50, according to Broadband TV News .
"We took the decision that had technical and regulatory complications, but we took the decision that it had to sit in our EPG and our FAST channels do that," he said. "We also heard about the importance of regional content, local appeal. We are not going for volume.
We don’t need a volume of kind of faceless international channels. Read more on the Scottish Sun REFFIN' HELL Neil Lennon demands answers from Willie Collum over 'abysmal' refereeing SOUND THE ALARM Scots residents told to expect 'loud warning' siren "We’re fortunate with being an English language territory that we have a lot of library from UK producers who produce a lot of programming now and have very well-known program brands that are able to create very powerful thematic FAST channels for us." Advertisement The firm is planning to complete a shift of its broadcast technology later this year, meaning users will have smaller TV boxes.
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