Satellite internet is among the best ways for internet connectivity in rural areas. Those who don’t have access to terrestrial internet connections often turn to satellite providers for internet services. It usually offers a good speed that works for streaming, online classes, working from home, video calls, and paying bills. Yet those who need faster connectivity to get their things done often complain about slow speeds.
If you are facing the same issue, there isn’t much that you can do on your own to increase the speed of your satellite internet. However, a few methods can be utilized to boost the signals and increase the overall performance.
These tips will not magically make your internet super-fast. For instance, Hughesnet internet packages offer a download speed of up to 25 Mbps. Following these would not mean that your internet speed would go over the bandwidth limit but you will surely see a notable difference.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at these.
How to Reduce Latency on Satellite Internet to Increase Speed
1. Run a Speed Test
Before you do anything to increase the satellite internet speed, the first thing you need to do is to establish a baseline. For that, run a speed test and see what download and upload speed are you getting at that moment. In case you are connected to the internet via Wi-Fi, disconnect and use the Ethernet cable to run the speed test. It will show you accurate results.
Once you run the speed tests and establish a baseline, you will be able to see if any of the things you did made a difference.
2. Move Your Satellite Dish Closer
Just as Wi-Fi signals, internet signals also become weaker if they have to travel a great distance. That can result in a slower internet connection or a reduced speed.
To avoid that, the first thing you need to do is to check and make sure your satellite dish is closer to the house. In case there is a possibility of moving it closer to your internet modem, do that instantly. However, be careful not to remove any wires or damage the dish while doing so.
If you think you can’t do that on your own, contact your service provider and talk to them about the possibility of moving it closer or attaching it to your roof.
3. Remove Obstacles Around the Dish Antenna
One of the major requirements while installing satellite internet service by the providers is the clear view toward the southern sky from your place. If that is possible, then and only then they install the internet services.
Now at times, bushes and trees grow around where you have placed your satellite dish. As a result, they block the view and weaken the signals. If that happens, your internet speed goes down as well because it relies on satellite for connectivity.
Therefore, check your dish antenna and its surroundings and make sure there is nothing that is blocking the view. If there are obstacles, remove them if possible. Otherwise, reposition your satellite dish to enjoy a faster speed.
4. Add an in-line Amplifier
An in-line amplifier is a signal booster that enhances the signals from your satellite dish to your home receiver. That makes your internet faster, improves both the download and upload speed of your connection, and even reduces the latency.
Latency is one of the reasons why most users consider satellite internet slower. When the latency improves, that helps in doing tasks that require a stable connection and quick response such as gaming or video calls.
5. Update Router’s Firmware
One of the common reasons why your satellite internet can be slower is because of outdated firmware. Router Firmware is the software that manages all the routing protocols on your home network and allows users to connect with the Wi-Fi. Moreover, it fixes many bugs in the system and keeps your internet connection secure.
To check for updates, log in to your router’s admin panel and click the firmware update or router update button. It will automatically search for any available updates and let you know. If there is any update available, install that and restart your router.
6. Reposition Your Router
If you notice that your internet is significantly faster in some parts of the house while slows down in others, the issue is with the router positioning. The problem here is that the Wi-Fi signal strength becomes weaker due to obstacles and doesn’t offer the same speed in all the areas.
To solve that problem, reposition your router to somewhere central in the house. In case the house is big or has a complex structure, place it in the area where you spend your most time in. Another thing that you can do here is to install a mesh Wi-Fi system that can take care of the areas where the Wi-Fi signals are not strong.
Conclusion:
If you have tried everything but don’t see any improvement in your satellite internet speed, the only problem can be connecting too many devices. So, reset your router and disconnect all the devices. Restart it, connect your device, and run the speed test. You will see the actual speed that is being offered to you. In case that speed is not what you signed up for, let your service provider know and ask them to fix it.
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