Troubleshooting Newtel broadband performance problems

Before you start troubleshooting the performance of your Newtel broadband connection, we recommend that you perform a Newtel Internet Speedtest to benchmark your current internet speed.

Also confirm the minimum download speed that you on your broadband package from Newtel.

You can find this info by checking your Newtel broadband bill, your Newtel contract or by contacting Newtel.

Common causes of Newtel’s slow internet speed

Is it the Newtel broadband that is running slow or could it be your device (PC/laptop/phone)?

You may need to check the number of applications are currently running on your device.

The speed problem could be due to the over-utilization of your device’s resources i.e RAM/CPU Processor and as opposed to an issue with Newtel’s internet connection.

If you’re on a computer then you can use the task manager to see your Processor and RAM utilisation.

On other device, you should try restarting the device which hopefully will shutdown all applications that may be using up your systems resources.

Re-run the Newtel Speed test on your personal computer and your phone to check how the speed test results compare between the 2 devices.

Hopefully this should provide you with some info to work with in terms of whether the issue is with your device or the Newtel broadband connection.

• What does the Newtel download and upload speed mean?
• Who’s the best Broadband Service Provider in the UK?
• 5 methods to speed up your Newtel Internet performance
• DNS hack to speed up internet browsing speed on Newtel

Is your wireless the cause of the issue?

The cause of the performance problem could be your Wifi as opposed to the Newtel broadband connection.

You could rule out the Wifi network by connecting your computer directly into the Newtel broadband router with an ethernet cable and then run the Newtel Speedtest again.

If the performance improves when you are connected via an ethernet cable, this suggests that the issue could be with your wireless network.

A number of things to look further into:

• Are the Wireless channels that you are using for your Wifi network network (SSID) overlapping with your neighbours?
• Is your Wi-Fi network signal from the broadband router obstructed?
• Does your performance improve when you’re stood directly in-front of the Newtel wireless router?

Who’s connected to my wireless network?

Have you checked that your Wifi network password has not been compromised? Do you have an un-secured Wifi network? How secure is your Wi-Fi network password? It could be time to change it.

Neighbors could be on your wireless network and using up all the Newtel speed by downloading, uploading or even streaming music or video on your Newtel broadband connection! Worse still, they may be conducting illegal activities using your Newtel internet connection.

Here are three applications that you can utlise to analyse your Wifi network to check who’s connected:

• Windows users can use Wireless network watcher
• IOS users can use whoFi (who is on my Wifi)
• wifi network scanning tool WiFi Analyzer

The above software analyse your wireless network and show you a list of the devices connected.

• How to see who’s on your Newtel Wi-Fi network

Should I get a Wifi booster for my Newtel broadband?

You may find that there are wireless coverage gaps at your home, a wireless extender also known as a Wi-Fi Booster may be the best fix to boost your wireless signal to cover any coverage holes.

• Cheapest Wi-Fi Signal Extenders

The wireless booster simply picks up your existing Wifi network signal just as it is becoming weaker and re-transmits the Wifi signal to extend it’s coverage.

Place the Wi-Fi network booster/extender where your wireless signal from the Newtel internet router is starting to become weaker.

Place it approximately where your wireless network signal is dropping down to 2 bars. Walk around your house with a tablet to determine where this location is.

When did you last upgrade the Newtel broadband router?

The Newtel and broadband infrastructure, in general, are constantly upgraded to support new features and improve performance as technology evolves.  Ensure that your Newtel internet router is running on the latest software.

The majority of Newtel broadband routers will allow you to perform the software update by logging on the Newtel broadband router and simply clicking on a button to do the update.

If you can’t do this, contact Newtel and they will perform the upgrade for you or alternatively, talk you through the process.

In addition to upgrading the software, if you have had router for a long period, it may be worth talking to Newtel to ask for a hardware upgrade.

Is the fault outside your property (at the exchange)?

This is probably the most likely cause for Newtel broadband performance problems in your area and is more common with broadband connections that are delivered through phone lines.

If you’re not sure if this is applicable to you, you should contact Newtel who will be able to carry out the relevant connection tests to check if there is a problem on the Newtel internet connection.

Is the issue due to Newtel Internet congestion?

If you’re finding that the Newtel internet connection speed in your area is slow during certain periods i.e. weekends or evenings, then it may be due to congestion during peak times.

• What’s Broadband Contention Ratio and does Newtel have contention?

You should speak to Newtel to check your guaranteed speed.

Test your Newtel internet connection

After the problem has been fixed either by yourself or Newtel, retest the internet connection using  at least two independent Speedtests to ensure the problem is fixed:

• • Use the ookla internet broadband speed checker to test your Newtel broadband
  • Check your Newtel connection speed using Ookla Offical Speed Test
  • Test your Newtel internet connectionspeed using fast.com speed test
  • Check My Broadband Speed Checker Newtel internet speed checker
  • • 0845UK Broadband Speed Checker and troubleshooting