Home expert reveals the worst places to put your broadband router

Bank Holiday weekends often put a strain on your broadband, as families stay home and friends visit to enjoy the extra day off. And that means your internet may feel slower than usual.

But there are some tips you can follow to ensure it performs at its peak potential over the long weekends.

Great tips to get great wifi coverage at home

The quality of your Wi-Fi signal depends on several factors, including router placement, obstacles, and the number of devices connected at any one time.

Keeping routers away from kitchen appliances and not positioning them next to objects like fish tanks will help maintain a strong signal.

But you can do more to keep your connection running super smooth over the bank holidays.

Home expert and Feng Shui master Cliff Tan recently shared his five best pieces of advice for speeding up your connection.

Let’s check them out.

5 ways to instantly speed up your wifi

Location, location, location!

Position your router centrally in your home, particularly in rooms where you rely on it for browsing, streaming, and gaming, advises Tan. Place it high up and facing forward to ensure signal coverage throughout the room. The Wi-Fi signal radiates outward in a circular pattern, so a central location will help maximise range.

Don’t hide your router, keep it visible!

“Energy is best felt when it can be seen, even for Wi-Fi signals,” says Tan. Place the router where it’s visible from the locations where you use it most, such as an office or living room. This provides a direct signal path for your devices. Walls, floors, and other solid objects can absorb or weaken the signal, so keeping clear lines of sight between the router and devices is crucial.

Avoid clutter around your broadband router

Clutter can obstruct the natural flow of energy in a room, according to Tan. Apply this Feng Shui principle to broadband connectivity by keeping items that might interfere with your signal, like baby monitors, speakers, and TVs, away from the router. These devices can create electromagnetic interference, reducing the signal quality and causing connectivity issues.

Be mindful of mirrors!

Large wall mirrors can interfere with connectivity due to their thin metallic coating, which can reflect Wi-Fi signals, confusing your devices. Tan suggests keeping your router at least a few metres away from any sizable mirrors.

Focus on five elements

Feng Shui focuses on the five elements—earth, wood, fire, metal, and water—to describe our surroundings. Pay close attention to metal devices or surfaces when moving your router, as they can often interfere with Wi-Fi signals. For example, a metal TV cabinet could affect your router’s signal.

Try these tips out and see how they work for you. It’s important to note that they won’t increase the actual speeds. However, they can help you maximise your internet connection by optimising Wi-Fi signal quality and strength.

And that means everyone in the house can enjoy perfect internet, at the same time, all the time.

A 6G Internet Statement: Why We’ll Never Raise Broadband Bills Mid-contract

At 6G Internet, we understand the importance of keeping things simple, transparent, and, most importantly, fair for our customers. This is why we’re proud to introduce our no mid-contract price rise guarantee.

In a world where unexpected price hikes have become an unfortunate norm, we stand by our commitment to providing the best possible broadband service without subjecting you to any unpleasant surprises.

In this blog, we’ll explore the issue of mid-contract price rises and explain why 6G Internet has chosen to do things differently.

Mid-Contract Broadband Price Rises Explained

Broadband companies usually offer contracts ranging from 12 to 24 months, with the monthly cost fixed for the entire contract duration.

But some companies incorporate sneaky clauses in their contracts that allow them to increase the price during the contract term, which is known as a mid-contract price rise.

These price hikes are often linked to inflation or other market factors, and they can significantly affect customers’ monthly bills.

Why Other Broadband suppliers Raise Prices Mid-Contract

There are several reasons why broadband companies raise their customer’s bills mid-contract:

Inflation: As the cost of living and doing business increases, companies may decide to pass on these additional costs to their customers to protect their profit margins.
Market competition: Companies may initially offer lower prices to attract customers, only to increase them later once they have secured a customer base.
Increased operational costs: Some companies might face unexpected expenses, such as network upgrades or infrastructure maintenance, and decide to recoup these costs by raising prices.

Broadband Companies Known for Mid-Contract Price Rises

Many well-known broadband providers put price rise clauses into their contracts, including major players like BT, Virgin Media, and Sky. These increases can vary in amount, but they typically range from 1% to 5% per year, depending on the provider and the contract terms.

For a customer paying £40 per month, a 5% increase would translate to an additional £2 per month or £24 per year. This may not seem significant, but these increases can add up over time, especially for customers on tight budgets.

And much larger price rises are incoming. BT, EE, Plusnet, Sky, TalkTalk and Three have all announced an April price increase. According to money-saving expert Martin Lewis, some of their customers will soon start paying 13% more for their broadband.

6G Internet’s No Mid-Contract Price Rise Guarantee

At 6G Internet, we believe in putting our customers first – and treating them fairly.

Our no mid-contract price rise guarantee ensures that the price you sign up for is the price you’ll pay for the entire duration of your contract.

We will never hit our customers with unexpected price hikes that can strain their budgets.

We recognize that it is not fair or the right thing to do. Instead, we focus on offering competitive and very affordable prices from the outset and maintaining our high-quality broadband service without the need for hidden fees or unexpected increases.

A promise to our customers

The no mid-contract price rise guarantee is a promise to all our customers. By eliminating the uncertainty of mid-contract price increases, we’re offering them peace of mind in an industry riddled with surprise charges, hidden fees, and rising bills

Choose 6G Internet for a broadband experience that puts you first.

“Customers face frustrating hurdles during calls with broadband providers to reduce soaring bills.”

A consumer champion journalist has revealed the painstaking process of haggling for a better broadband deal with one of the UK’s biggest providers.

Chris Harper, who writes money-saving advice for leading online news outlets, knocked £13 off his broadband bill. But it wasn’t a smooth or pleasant experience.

Here’s his story:

“I’ve been a loyal customer with this company for years, but with the inflation-linked increase, I’d be paying a staggering £43 a month.”

So Chris contacted the provider, which is one of the biggest names in the UK broadband industry.

“I spoke to a lovely Scottish man,” continued Chris. “I told him about the competitor’s prices and asked if they could offer me a cheaper rate.”

The lovely Scottish man said no; Chris was locked into a deal. There was nothing he could do

“I’d been warned about this sneaky tactic on Twitter,” said Chris. “So I told the advisor my only option was to walk away.”

That did the trick.

“All of a sudden, there was another way I could get a cheaper bill…!” said Chris.

Chris spent the rest of the hour-long call being transferred between departments, waiting on hold, and explaining his situation all over again. But he eventually got the better deal he was looking for, cutting his bill from £43 per month to just £29.99 per month.

Brilliant, thought Chris.

Then this happened

“They said I’d have to send back my old router, only for them to send me the same one back!” said Chris. “Then I’d have to change my WiFi password and set up all my devices again.”

For Chris, reducing his bill was a minor inconvenience. But the experience made him realise that many others might be reluctant to negotiate with broadband providers.

“People could be either too scared or not confident enough to ring up these companies and ask for a better deal,” wrote Chris. “There were lots of ridiculous hoops I had to jump through. Elderly people or those who aren’t tech-savvy could find it intimidating, resulting in them not even bothering and being forced to pay hundreds more on their bills.”

Things like this don’t happen when you’re a 6G Internet customer. Our customers never have to call up and haggle over mid-contract price rises, because we never raise their bills mid-contract.

And when you do make the 6G Internet switch, we visit your home, set up a brand-new router, and make sure all your devices are connected and running smoothly.

6G Internet: fair prices, no mid-contract surprises, and real customer service.

Industry Experts Demand More Support for Financially Vulnerable Broadband Users

Broadband companies must do more to keep financially vulnerable people connected to the internet, say industry experts.

Rocio Concha, from consumer group Which?, urged the government to take actions that would encourage people on benefits to sign up for social tariff broadband deals. Social tariffs are cheaper broadband packages for those claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and other benefits.

Ms Concha highlighted that while cheaper social tariffs are available for most benefit claimants, only 3.2% of those who qualify are using them. Most people, it seems, are not aware that they exist.

She also suggested that broadband data should be exempt from VAT tax, like other essential utilities, including water and energy.

“Access to the internet is an essential utility in today’s world, as important as having access to water, gas, and electricity,” said Ms Concha

Cutting VAT on broadband would be relatively inexpensive compared to the long-term benefits, argued Ms Concha. A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research found that cutting VAT on broadband would cost the government around £1.4 billion, but reducing digital exclusion in key and vulnerable groups could stimulate £13.7billion in economic activity during the next decade.

Financially vulnerable individuals should also be allowed to switch contracts without incurring expensive exit fees, said Ms Concha. Furthermore, she believes they should be exempt from upcoming broadband bill increases, which could be as high as 17% for some consumers.

The government responded by calling on firms to raise awareness of the social tariff deals. It’s yet to make any statement on cutting VAT for internet data.

Science Minister and digital committee member Michelle Donelan said that telecom bosses should reconsider the price rises. However, it’s highly unlikely that any of the upcoming price increases will be reversed.

Price rises are something that 6G Internet members never have to worry about. Our no-price rise promise means your broadband bill will never go up mid-contract.

If you don’t want to pay more than you agree to, click here to learn more about becoming a 6G Internet customer.

Why 6G Internet will always give away free internet

In today’s digital age, the internet is part of our daily lives. From accessing essential services to staying connected with friends and family, it’s a crucial tool for people of all ages and backgrounds.

But for many people in the UK, internet access is not affordable or accessible, leading to digital exclusion and poorer economic outcomes.

Digital exclusion in the UK

Free internet access is critical to reducing digital exclusion in the UK. Digital exclusion refers to the gap between those with access to digital technology and those without access.

Studies have shown that a lack of internet access is linked to fewer economic outcomes. For example, people who can’t get online struggle to access job opportunities, education, and other critical services, including income support and other benefits.

Digital exclusion can also lead to social isolation and poorer health outcomes, including an increased likelihood of developing mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Some studies have linked digital exclusion to shorter life expectancy.

The impact of digital exclusion

Here are some statistics to illustrate the impact of digital exclusion in the UK:

According to a 2020 report by Ofcom, around 1.5 million households in the UK do not have access to the internet.
In a survey conducted by the Good Things Foundation, 22% of respondents said they had been unable to access a service they needed because they did not have internet.
A 2021 report by the Centre for Social Justice found that 4.5 million adults in the UK lack basic digital skills.
According to a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, people without internet access are more likely to be unemployed, live in poverty, and have lower levels of education.

Digital exclusion and the rising cost of living

The rising cost of living in the UK is making it increasingly difficult for people to afford internet access.

According to telecoms regulator Ofcom, more than 9.1 million UK households (32%) are having difficulties paying their broadband bills.

Around 17% of households are cutting back on other essential spending, such as food and clothing, to afford broadband services; that’s four times the percentage of people doing so in June 2021.

Helen Milner is the chief executive of The Good Things Foundation, a UK-based charity that promotes digital inclusion

“Over one in 20 households have no internet at all, either fixed line or mobile,” said Helen Milner. “I’ve met a young woman who wept because we gave her a £10 top-up because it meant she could contact her mum in Ireland. She had two young kids and had no other way of contacting their grandmother.”

Why 6G Internet is giving away free broadband

The 6G Internet for everyone campaign is based on the idea that access to the internet is a fundamental human right. We believe everyone should have equal access to the tools and resources they need to thrive in today’s digital world, even when they can’t afford the monthly bills.

Through this important campaign, we give away 20% of our network for free to schools, charities, and community organisations in every town and area we build in.

We’ve provided free internet to Age UK. The charity uses our free connections to run digital skills classes for older people.

Our free broadband connections at the Foxtown Centre in Preston are helping the city’s homeless and vulnerable groups access financial and health services.

And we recently installed free broadband connections in ten homeless pods in Blackburn.

“It’s a great initiative,” said Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. “It will allow those living in the shelters to get online and access the relevant documents, learn new skills, and send emails to help them on their way to improving their lives.

“Digital exclusion is a new form of social inequality,” says 6G Internet Digital Inclusion Manager Tara Murray. “Those who don’t have access to the internet will be increasingly left behind in education, employment, and society. The internet is not a luxury anymore; it’s a necessity.”

“And that’s why we will always give away free internet. It’s our commitment to bridging the digital divide in local communities, ensuring everyone can access digital spaces and develop the skills and support networks they need to thrive.”

Click here to learn more about the 6G Internet for everyone initiative.

Telecoms regulator to investigate broadband price increases as costs continue to rise

Ofcom, the UK’s telecoms regulator, is launching an investigation into the mid-contract price increases by major broadband providers, following their recent announcements of even more rate hikes.

The investigation aims to address the lack of clarity and certainty around what customers will pay and could potentially provide assistance to those struggling with the cost of living crisis.

Although contracts typically last for 18 or 24 months, companies such as BT, Sky, and Virgin Media O2 include causes permitting them to increase monthly bills in line with inflation.

Ofcom’s research reveals that a third of UK broadband customers are unaware of this clause in their contracts.

The cost of broadband in the UK ranges from £22.99 to £55 per month. When the next round of price hikes hits this April, UK broadband customers can expect to pay an extra £3.31-£7.92 for their internet per month, adding £39.72 to £95.04 to their annual bill.

Virgin Media O2 and BT customers could see the biggest rises; their bills are expected to increase by 13.8% and 14.4%, respectively. Sky customers may end up paying 8.1% per month after April.

Cristina Luna-Esteban, the director of telecoms consumer protection at Ofcom, believes big-name providers are making it difficult for customers to understand the extent of price increases.

The Ofcom review will focus on what customers know when they sign up for new broadband contracts and how providers communicate price rise clauses.

“We’re taking a thorough look at these types of contract terms to fully understand the extent to which customers truly know what they’re signing up to and whether tougher protections are needed,” said Cristina Luna-Esteban. “Customers need certainty and clarity about what they will pay over the course of their contract.”

In the meantime, Ofcom encourages customers out of contract to consider haggling with their current provider for a cheaper deal or switching providers.

Those looking to switch will be interested in a broadband firm that never raises customer bills mid-contract, just like 6G Internet.

Our no mid-contract price rise guarantee means our customers will never pay more than they signed up for.

Popular Money Saving Expert Reveals Insider Tips for Finding the Cheapest Broadband Deals

Popular money-saving expert Martin Lewis is advising broadband customers to haggle for better deals when their bills go up this spring.

Money Saving Expert Warns Consumers About Broadband Price Increases

The consumer champion has previously warned people to expect a 15% increase in their broadband bills from April, explaining how big providers keep their tariffs in line with the consumer price index (CPI) rate of inflation. Inflation is currently around 11%, and Lewis believes firms will add an extra 4% on top.

April Broadband Price Increases

“This usually happens in April for most of the major broadband providers, which will be another hit for many people,” said Lewis. “If you’re paying £40, you should get ready to see another £6 on your bill from April.”

Lewis urges consumers to call their provider and haggle for a better deal. A poll on the MoneySavingExpert site found that 8 out of 10 customers can reduce their bill by calling their provider and suggesting they might go elsewhere.

“As a loyal customer, the first thing I would do is get on the phone and say: I’ve seen what you’re charging new customers; what can you do for me?” said Lewis.

“I’d make sure you’ve seen what other providers are charging in your area, because it’s postcode dependent… and say, ‘I’m not willing to pay that amount; can you offer me a better deal?’

If the provider isn’t willing to budge on price, then Lewis advises people to switch.

“Switching isn’t complicated, so don’t worry about it too much,” said Lewis. “It’s your new firm who sorts it out for you, and they’ll cancel your old provider.”

If you’re one of those people ready for something better, then contact 6G Internet today. We’ll make sure the switchover is as smooth as possible.

And with our no-price rise promise, your broadband bill will never go up during the contract.

6G Internet: a broadband company that keeps its promises.

Customer Service in the Broadband Industry: A Look at How 6G Internet Does it Better

Broadband plays a central role in our daily lives, providing us with the connections we need to work, play, and stay in touch with loved ones.

But it’s no secret that customer service in the industry can often be lacking, leaving many people frustrated and unhappy with their providers.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the state of customer service in the UK broadband industry, exploring the most common complaints, the reasons behind these issues, and what 6G Internet is doing to keep our customers happy.

The state of customer service in the UK broadband industry

According to Ofcom’s latest reports, the number of complaints about broadband providers has been increasing in recent years.

Ofcom report shows complaints increased by 23%

In 2020, the number of complaints about broadband services increased by 23% compared to the previous year, and that figure has been rising ever since.

It’s important to state that these complaints represent a fraction of the total number of broadband customers in the UK. However, they still indicate a significant level of dissatisfaction with the service provided by some broadband providers.

What are people complaining about?

Here’s a look at some of the most common customer service complaints when it comes to broadband contracts:

Slow speeds
Outages
Billing issues
Installation problems
Data caps
Hidden fees
Poor customer service

Poor customer service

Another major issue is poor customer service. Customers often report dissatisfaction with the service they receive, including long wait times on hold, unhelpful representatives, issues not being resolved in a timely manner, and automated menus or chatbots that can’t answer specific or complex questions.

Local customer service team

This is one of the main reasons why 6G Internet decided to keep our customer service centre local. And it’s staffed by real people you can actually talk to.

The benefits of real customer service

Thanks to our locally based customer service centre, 6G Internet customers benefit from…

Personalised service: Real human customer service representatives can provide a more personalised customer experience, as they can understand and respond to individual needs and concerns.
Faster resolutions: Our staff can resolve issues more quickly than automated systems, as they can make decisions and take action in real-time.
Language & cultural understanding: A local-based customer service centre allows representatives to be familiar with the local culture, which can help build trust and better communication with customers.
Greater accountability: Companies with local-based customer service centres are more accountable to their customers, as they are physically located in the same area and are more easily accessible.

6G Internet: where customers get ‘real’ service

At 6G Internet, we understand that having a reliable and fast broadband connection is crucial in today’s world. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing the best possible service to our customers.

One big thing that sets us apart from other broadband providers is our locally-based customer service centre.

Our team of friendly and knowledgeable representatives are available to assist you with any questions or issues you may have, and they’re located right in your community.

And you’ll never have to deal with long wait times on hold or automated systems.

We believe that real people are the key to providing excellent customer service. Our representatives are trained to handle a wide range of issues and to find the best solution for each customer. Whether you need help with a technical problem or have a question about your bill, our team is here to help.

With our locally-based customer service centre and a commitment to providing the best possible service, we’re confident you’ll love being part of the 6G Internet family.

Customers urged to check routers after popular broadband firm discovers potential security flaw

A leading provider of Wi-Fi routers has discovered a flaw in its devices that may put millions of broadband users at risk.

The firm, which makes some of the most popular internet devices in the world, has urged all users of its products to check their Wi-Fi routers without delay to ensure the security of their online data.

The flaw could potentially allow hackers to access sensitive information such as passwords, financial data, and other personal information transmitted over the internet.

6G Internet DOES NOT use any of the routers made by the firm. Instead, all our customers receive a Wi-Fi 6 router which guarantees faster speeds, reliable connections, and, most importantly, increased security and online protection.

Wi-Fi 6 technology supports the newest security protocol, Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3), which analysts say is the most comprehensive router safety protocol on the market.

Although our Wi-Fi 6 router includes advanced security and encryption features to protect your data, customers should always take the necessary precautions to keep themselves and their families safe when connecting devices to the internet.

They include regularly changing passwords, keeping software up-to-date, and not clicking on suspicious emails, links, or websites.

Customers should also keep their routers on overnight. Like many other internet service providers, this is when we send essential updates to the router.

Unplugging them before you go to bed to reduce electricity bills means your router misses out on the updates. Over time, this could degrade your download speeds and compromise the router’s security features.

Learn more about the benefits of 6G Internet’s Wi-Fi 6 router technology.

6G Internet is driving digital inclusion across the UK

Digital exclusion is a significant issue in the UK, with many individuals and communities lacking access to the internet and broadband technology they need in today’s increasingly digital world.

This can have serious consequences for their ability to participate in the digital economy, access online services, and stay connected with others.

Digital exclusion in the UK

Many factors contribute to digital exclusion in the UK, including economic hardship, lack of education, and geographical isolation.

For example, individuals living in low-income households are more likely to lack access to the internet and technology, as they may not be able to afford the necessary equipment and services.

Similarly, individuals who lack basic digital skills or do not have access to digital literacy training may find it challenging to navigate the online world.

Geographical isolation is another factor, as some towns and suburbs don’t have high-speed internet infrastructure.

The elderly and disabled people are also at risk of digital exclusion. They can often struggle using digital devices and may require additional support to access the internet.

What is the UK government doing about digital exclusion?

The UK government has taken steps to address digital exclusion, such as providing funding for digital literacy training and expanding access to high-speed internet in rural areas.

6G Internet and digital inclusion

Independent broadband providers like 6G Internet are helping with digital inclusion in the UK by providing more market competition and alternative internet access options.

We’re offering more affordable prices and better services to consumers, particularly in areas that may have been previously underserved by larger, mainstream providers.

We’re supporting digital inclusion in other ways, too. At 6G Internet, we give away 20% of our network to local charities, schools, and families experiencing economic hardship.

We call it the “Internet for everyone” campaign.

“In an increasingly digital world, it’s absolutely vital for everybody to be able to take advantage of the many benefits offered by the internet. Unfortunately, there are still significant barriers to some people getting online at home,” says Tara Murray, the 6G Internet for everyone coordinator.

“We want to help change this; this is why we’re working with local organisations to tackle the digital divide by giving free broadband connections to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access.”

So wherever we build, local residents will always have an internet connection they can use.

Digital exclusion is a significant issue in the UK that affects many individuals and communities. It is essential that steps are taken to address this issue. But by working together, we can ensure that everyone in the UK has the opportunity to participate in the digital economy and stay connected with the world.