 FirstMile broadband Speed test
Click on the “Go” button on the Ookla Speed Test to test the broadband speed of your FirstMile broadband connection.
Information on how to troubleshoot issues with your FirstMile broadband are in the sections below the Ookla Speed checker widget.
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Troubleshooting FirstMile internet speed problems
Before starting to troubleshoot the performance of your FirstMile internet connection, we suggest that you run a FirstMile Internet Speedtest to measure your current internet speed.
Also confirm the guaranteed minimum download speed you on your broadband package from FirstMile.
You can get this info by checking a FirstMile broadband bill, your FirstMile contract or by contacting FirstMile.
Likely causes of FirstMile’s slow broadband performance
Is it the FirstMile broadband that is running slow or is it your device (laptop/smartphone/PC)?
You may need to check the number of apps are running on your device.
The performance problem could be due to over-utilisation of your system resources i.e Memory/CPU and as opposed to an issue with FirstMile’s broadband connection.
If you are on a computer then you may use the task manager to see your CPU and RAM usage.
On other device, you could try rebooting the device which should hopefully shutdown all applications that may be hogging your systems resources.
Run the FirstMile Speed checker on your personal computer and your mobile phone to see how the speedtest results differ between the two devices.
Hopefully this should give you some information to help determine whether the issue lies with your device or the FirstMile broadband connection.
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Is your Wifi the problem?
The root cause of the performance problem could be your Wifi as opposed to the FirstMile broadband internet connection.
You can rule out the wireless by simply connecting your computer directly into the FirstMile broadband router using an ethernet cable and run the FirstMile Speed checker again.
If the speed test result improves when you’re connected using an ethernet cable, this proves that the problem may be with the internal wireless network.
A few other things to look further into:
- Are the Wireless channels that you’re using for your Wifi network network (SSID) overlapping with your neighbors?
- Is the wireless network signal from the internet router obstructed?
- Does the speed improve when your are stood right infront of the FirstMile wireless router?
Who’s connected to my Wi-Fi network?
Have you checked that your Wifi network password has not been shared? Do you have an open Wifi network? How strong is your Wi-Fi network password? It could be time to change it.
Neighbours could be using your Wi-Fi network and eating up all the FirstMile speed by downloading, uploading or even streaming music or video on your FirstMile internet connection! Worse still, they could be carrying out illegal activities using your FirstMile broadband connection.
There are three applications that you can use to scan your wireless network to check who is connected:
- Microsoft Windows users can use Wireless network watcher
- MAC users can use whoFi (who is on my Wifi)
- wireless network scanning tool WiFi Analyzer
The above apps analyse your Wi-Fi network and show you a list of the connected devices.
Do I need a wireless booster for my FirstMile broadband?
If you find that there are Wifi coverage holes at your home, a wireless network extender aka a Wi-Fi Booster is the best solution to increase your Wi-Fi signal to cover any coverage holes.
The wireless network extender picks up the existing wireless network signal just as it is starting to become weaker and re-transmits the wireless network signal to extend it’s coverage.
Position the Wifi network booster/extender near where your wireless signal from your FirstMile broadband router is starting to become weaker.
Position it near where your Wifi signal is dropping down to two signal bars. Walk around your house with a smartphone to find where this is.
When did you last upgrade the FirstMile internet router?
The FirstMile and broadband infrastructure, in general, are constantly updated to provide new features and improve performance as technology evolves. Ensure that the FirstMile broadband internet router is running on the most up to date software.
Most FirstMile internet routers will allow you to carry out the software upgrade by logging into the FirstMile broadband router and simply clicking a button to do the upgrade.
If you cannot do this, get in touch with FirstMile and they will be able to perform the upgrade for you or alternatively, talk you through the process.
In addition to updating the software, if you have had router for a long time, it may be worth talking to FirstMile to ask for a router upgrade.
Is the issue external to your home (at the exchange)?
This is probably the most likely reason for FirstMile broadband performance problems in your home and is more common for broadband connections that are delivered using copper phone lines.
If you’re unsure if this is applicable to you, contact FirstMile who should be able to conduct the relevant connection checks to see if there is a fault on the FirstMile internet line.
Is the performance issue because of FirstMile Internet congestion?
If you’re finding that the FirstMile broadband connection speed in your area is slows down during certain periods i.e. over weekends and during the evening, it may be due to congestion during peak times.
You should speak to FirstMile to check your guaranteed speed.
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Test your FirstMile internet connection
After the issue has been fixed either by yourself or FirstMile, retest your internet connection using at least 2 separate Speedtests to ensure the issue is resolved: