Suggestions for Poor Wi-Fi Service

Owned by Enrico Coloccia
Last updated: Sept 06, 2024 by Enrico Coloccia
4 min read

If you are working in an area that has restricted, weak, or slow Wi-Fi, or weak cellular service indoors, consider whether these options might be useful. Please note that Geneseo does not endorse any particular service, company, or product. These suggestions are meant only as helpful tips.

Restricted or Unsecure Wi-Fi Service

If you're in an area where the cellular signal is strong, a Wi-Fi hotspot can provide better security than a public Wi-Fi connection. It also gives you a way to get your laptop online. You can create a Wi-Fi hotspot using a small, portable Wi-Fi router, or with your cell phone if it provides that feature and your cellular plan allows it. You can buy them from retailers that sell electronics.

Slow Wi-Fi at Home

Several factors can contribute to poor Wi-Fi service at home. Things to consider:

  • Make sure the package you purchased from your internet service provider (Spectrum, Frontier, etc.) is the right size for what you and others in your home need to do online. You may need to upgrade to a higher level of service.

  • Verify whether your internet service provider has posted any reports of service interruptions or performance problems.

  • Follow your internet service provider's recommendations for at-home troubleshooting.

  • Consider connecting your computer directly to your internet modem using an Ethernet cable (instead of using Wi-Fi).

  • Consider whether your Wi-Fi router needs to be upgraded. Newer routers provide better speed and range.

  • If your Wi-Fi is fast in some parts of your home but not in others, try moving your Wi-Fi router to a more central location in your home. If that doesn't help, you may need to consider a "mesh network" to provide better coverage. You can buy mesh networks from retailers that sell electronics.

  • Consider disconnecting devices that don't need to be on your Wi-Fi network. Also consider how many people on your network are doing activities that use a lot of network capacity, such as gaming and streaming movies and shows.

Don't Have Internet Service

If you don't have or can't get Internet Service at home, here are some ideas:

  • Geneseo's wireless network can be accessed from many outdoor locations such as parking lots, campus quads, and spots close to buildings. You'll have to search for a spot that works for you. Geneseo is a member of eduroam. The eduroam network offers our community seamless secure wireless access at over 5000 locations around the world. A map of US eduroam subscribers can be found here: Eduroam Locator Map.  Locally, eduroam is available at the University of Rochester, RIT, University at Buffalo, Cornell, SUNY Oswego, Hobart & Williams Smith Colleges, Binghamton University, LeMoyne, Colgate, Hamilton, and Syracuse University.

  • Your local library or town government buildings may offer some outdoor wireless service.

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