What Can I Do to Improve My Internet Service Now?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. But thanks to Meghan Flanagan and Derek Drew, here are some options for you to try:

Cellular Hotspot

How are others connecting when access to high-speed networks are unavailable/unattainable?

If you have some cellular service at your home, you might be able to connect to high-speed internet through a Wifi hotspot. There are hotspots sold by AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile as well as unlimited hotspot resellers of AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile that offer reasonable unlimited hotspot plans. *Please be aware that hotspot service relies entirely on the cell tower closest to you. If your neighbors also have a hotspot using the same tower you will see your service speeds and bandwidth decrease significantly. Often as these towers become overused, the cell tower provider (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) can disable your hotspot.

Check out:

• Infinite LTE Data

• Unlimited LTE Advanced

• Nomad Internet

• Zoom Broadband

If you do not have cellular service, you might look into a cellular phone booster. The most popular is WeBoost, but may need professional installation.

Satellite Service

HughesNet is one of the more popular satellite service options on the market, but most customers report slow service, data capping, high cost and unstable connections.

Recently, a new and very different type of satellite service has become available, Starlink. Starlink is owned by billionaire Elon Musk who started beta testing the service last year and now uses more than 1,000 low-orbiting satellites to deliver broadband internet. To learn more check out the Sharon Connect news article here or if you want to sign up, go to starlink.com.

Other areas for consideration/adjustment:

• Consider updating your modem and router, especially if your equipment is more than two years old. This can improve your speed and security. (A modem is a box that connects your home network to the wider Internet. A router can be a separate box that lets all of your wired and wireless devices use your home's Internet connection at once and also allows your devices to talk to one another without having to do so over the Internet.)

• If you have good internet in your house and your cell phone supports "WiFi calling," you can try enabling it. Sometimes this will result in a dramatic improvement in call quality, especially if you are getting spotty cell service at your house.

Comcast Service

In a January 29, 2021 email from the Sharon Connect Task Force, we offer to reach out to Comcast on behalf of current subscribers who find their speeds to be slower than they are subscribing too. In this review process we found a few tips that might help you enhance your internet performance.

• Number of devices accessing the internet at one time vs. subscriptions speeds. If you may have too many devices connecting to your internet at the same time for the download speed you are subscribed to. you might consider contacting Comcast to discuss increasing your subscription speeds or try disconnecting devices that are not in use to reduce the strain on your subscribed bandwidth. This helpful Comcast guide shows subscription speeds and the number of recommended devices for use on those speeds at the same time. You might also view this Comcast video on how adding devices to your internet usage can impact your internet speeds.

• Equipment Age. Unfortunately, the life of the equipment used for providing internet service is very short. Comcast should update, upgrade or replace rental equipment at no extra charge every 2 years if the device has become obsolete. Contact Comcast by calling the support line 1-800-934-6489 or visit xfinity.com/chat and explain you are noticing service issues and slowdowns and you would like to upgrade to their newest equipment. If you purchased your own equipment, please follow manufacturer guidelines on how to update the software regularly. If you still notice issues, you may want to contact the manufacturer for what can be done to upgrade your device or consider replacing your equipment.

• Equipment Location. Internet signals can be dramatically impacted by physical barriers such as brick, rock, cement, metal, etc., especially when the signal is wireless. If your equipment is located in an area that has physical barriers, like brick or cement wall or if your equipment is in the basement, try moving the location of your router to an open space that is central to your home. If you have boosters, place those near where you use the Internet. Comcast can come out and help rewire your equipment for a fee (usually $30 - you will want to confirm this prior to having them visit).

Frontier Service

Frontier is in the midst of a major network upgrade in the state, but its new fiber wiring has not come to Sharon yet. Frontier is planning to string fiber optic lines along major roads in Sharon by "overlashing" those lines to its existing copper wires. Not all homes in Sharon will be part of the upgrade. If you are experiencing slower than promised speeds, please call Frontier at 800-921-8101 to alert them. Please also contact the Sharon Connect Task Force at sharonctconnect@gmail.com. We will help push Frontier to address service issues. Several residents have experienced long wait times after service disruptions and we have encouraged them to file complaints with state regulators at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. Sharon Connect has also filed complaints on behalf of residents with PURA.