Boost Mobile Users Face Service Loss Unless They Upgrade Phones
- Dish, T-Mobile network sharing shows first signs of trouble
- Dish is notified that old 3G nework will shut down in January
Scott Moritz and
Todd Shields
Boost Mobile wireless customers, many of them low income, will have to upgrade their phones or lose service in January, according to parent Dish Network Corp. , which took over the service just a few months ago.
T-Mobile US Inc. , which operates the 3G network used by Boost customers, plans to decommission that technology on Jan. 1, 2022, according to a regulatory filing Monday by Dish. The wireless network serves “a majority” of the 9 million Boost Mobile customers, according to Dish, which is developing an advanced 5G network of its own and also offers satellite-TV service.
Should I change to new Boost network
My scenario...I signed up with Boost 4 months ago, have a Sprint sim card, very happy with coverage. 3 bars at home. Good for my area. Previously only 2 bars on Mint mobile. Have byod Galaxy S8PLUS unlocked. Do I stay or switch to new network? Input please.
What about plans that's currently not supported to use the new network? How will Boost accommodate those customers? Will they be forced to change plans?
Depends whats T-Mobile coverage like in your area I live in Northeast Ohio and Sprint has way better coverage and speeds. I'm not looking forward to changing.
I live in Kettering and my area has WAY better coverage with Sprint vs T mobile, so I hope it stays the same for a while
If your current Sprint coverage is fine then absolutely not.
You'll definitely get more coverage, but the most impactful benefit would be VoLTE, - voice over LTE- you'll gain the ability to use internet while on a call, and the call voice quality and speed would be far better from what you have on the current network. Go for it, it cost only 10.00 for the new simcard.
You will know when this is figured out and announced. I’m sure they’re working on this now.
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How to improve network speed in Windows 10 by increasing IRPStackSize
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Increasing IRPStackSize's value from its safe-but-slow default number should considerably increase the network performance of your Windows 10 PC.
It doesn’t matter whether you are working at the office or remotely, a high-performance network connection is vital to your productivity. This simple fact is why so many people working from home offices have opted to purchase high speed broadband internet connections. But getting the fastest internet connection does not guarantee a high-performance network—the are other factors to consider.
The default network configuration settings in Microsoft Windows 10 are notorious for being programmed to what are considered safe, stable values. Predictably, safe and stable does not always equal fast and high-performance, especially with regard to network connections.
This tutorial shows you how to edit the Windows 10 Registry file to change an obscure setting known as IRPStackSize. Increasing that parameter’s value should considerably increase the overall network performance of your Windows 10 personal computer.
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Disclaimer: Editing the Windows Registry file is a serious undertaking. A corrupted Windows Registry file could render your computer inoperable, requiring a reinstallation of the Windows 10 operating system and potential loss of data. Back up the Windows 10 Registry file and create a valid restore point before you proceed.
The I/O Request Packet Stack Size (IRPStackSize) refers to how many 36-byte receive buffers your computer can use simultaneously. A larger number of buffers means your computer can handle more data simultaneously, which, in theory, should make your computer perform more efficiently.
While there is little official Microsoft documentation concerning this parameter, the default setting is 15, which is adequate for most normal speed (10 Mbps) network connections. The maximum number is limited to 50, and Microsoft warns that choosing values in the 33 to 38 range can cause stability issues. For our example, we are going to increase the value to 32.
Type “regedit” into the Windows 10 desktop search box and select regedit.exe from the list of results. Use the left-hand windowpane to navigate the Windows 10 Registry file until you find this specific key, as shown in Figure A :
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesLanmanServerParameters
For most users, there will be no entry for IRPStackSize, so we will have to create it. Right-click the Parameters folder (or right-click an open area in the right-hand windowpane) and select New | DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu. Give the new key entry the name IRPStackSize, as shown in Figure B . Note: The capitalization is vital to the success of this configuration change.
Double-click the new IRPStackSize key you just made and change the value base to Decimal to make your life easier. Then, as shown in Figure C , change the Data value to 32.
Click OK to lock in the change and then exit out of regedit. To finish the process, you will need to reboot your PC.
If you are connected to a broadband network with speed ratings exceeding 10 Mbps, you should see improved network performance right away. If you have a connection rating under 10 Mbps, you will likely see no benefit. However, if you have ever received this strange error message, “Not enough storage available to process this command,” then this change may solve that problem for you, as well.
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How to Increase WiFi Speed
Learn how to improve the overall quality of your wireless connections for streaming videos, music, or chatting with your friends.
Try These Steps to Increase Your Wi-Fi Speed:
Place your wireless router or gateway in an open area in the middle of your house.
Tweak your router settings for optimal performance.
For the best wireless experience, consider a new wireless router and PC that supports the 5 GHz 802.11ax standard (Wi-Fi 6) with the latest Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) technology.
If necessary, install a repeater or range extender to boost the wireless signal of your router.
Learn how to increase the Wi-Fi speed on your device by optimizing the settings to boost signal and extend range. 1
Wi-Fi speed—you probably don’t think much about it until the movie you’re streaming crashes. Or your files won’t upload to the cloud. Or your web browser keeps spinning without loading the page you want.
With millions of users with wireless devices connecting to Wi-Fi around the world, it’s no wonder that people want to know how to improve their Wi-Fi speed for better experiences with entertainment streaming, large file uploads and downloads, and wireless gaming.
Innovations like the recent giant leap to Wi-Fi 6 technology make today’s Wi-Fi nearly 3x faster than previous generations. 2 And since Wi-Fi speed is often related to internet connection range, there are a few ways to help improve performance throughout your home.
We’ll show you below how to determine the Wi-Fi generation on your device. Here are some additional terms you need to know about Wi-Fi connections:
- Speed—New Wi-Fi technologies deliver data more quickly. than previous generations. A faster connection results in faster Wi-Fi speeds.
- Coverage & Capacity—Wi-Fi speed is one piece of the puzzle. You want a router that can deliver better Internet speed to more devices and at greater distances. New 160MHz-capable routers offer both – greater capacity and coverage.
With a faster Wi-Fi connection, you can easily stream movies, games, videos, and other data-heavy applications with greater reliability, lower latency, and higher data quality for images, graphics, and communication.
Why Wi-Fi is essential for remote working, learning, and playing ›
Why Your Wi-Fi Is Slow
There are many possible reasons for slow connection speed. Physical barriers, such as walls and floors, can affect wireless signals. The distance between the device and the access point and the number of devices using your Wi-Fi network will also impact connection speed. Even simple things like adjusting the height of your router off the floor can impact its performance.
Be sure to talk with your Internet service provider to make sure you’re paying for the speed you need. Different providers offer different speeds, and you may not have the package that is the best fit for your connectivity needs.
Three main factors impact the speed of your Internet connection—the placement of the router, the technology, and the devices that are connected to it.
Ways to Boost Your Wi-Fi Speed
1. Place your router in an open spot . Because Wi-Fi is just that—wireless—its connection speed is affected by distance, obstacles (such as walls, floors, and ceilings), electronic interference, and the number of users on the network. All these things contribute to the slow-down of Wi-Fi connection speed.
For the best signal, put the wireless router out in the open on the main floor of your house, away from walls and obstructions. Ideally, you’ll want to position it off the floor, above the furniture. Keep it away from other electronics that might cause interference, like microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones. You might also try pointing the antennas perpendicularly, with one horizontally and one vertically.
Want to know where the wireless dead spots are around your house? Try using a mobile app, like CloudCheck*, to test for them. It can also help you identify where the signal strength is best, so you can find a good spot for your router. Think of it as Wi-Fi feng shui for your wireless router.
2. Use current Wi-Fi technologies. Technologies change rapidly, and one of the best ways to speed up your wireless network is to use the latest hardware. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is the biggest leap in wireless technology in over a decade, enabling faster speeds 2 , lower latency 3 , and greater capacity 4 in PCs, mobile phones, and routers and gateways for the home. Older, lower performance technologies like Wireless-N (802.11n) and Wireless-AC (802.11ac) are still in most mobile and IoT devices, while other technologies are nearly obsolete.
Newer Wireless-AC routers have data transfer speeds up to three times faster than older Wireless-B/G/N models, and they offer “dual-band” functionally so you can free up channels for older wireless devices to access.
New Wi-Fi 6 routers have data transfer speeds nearly 3x faster2 than standard Wi-Fi 5 solutions, and they offer “dual-band” functionally so you can free up channels for older wireless devices to access.
Check out our Wi-Fi technology ›
And, of course, you’ll want to select the latest Wi-Fi with WPA and secure your Wi-Fi network with a password so your neighbors can’t stream their movies on your wireless connection.
3. Limit devices and optimize settings . Playing online games, conducting video chats, and streaming movies and videos take up a lot of bandwidth, and they can slow down Internet speed and access for everyone connected to that Wi-Fi network. Some routers have a Quality of Service (QoS) setting that lets you control which apps have priority access to the Internet bandwidth. For example, you may want to prioritize video calls if you have a lot of meetings, and deprioritize file downloads from the cloud. You can always get your files later, but you don’t want to drop a call with an important client or family member.
You’ll also want to make sure that your wireless router has the latest updates to its firmware and drivers. While many newer routers have a built-in update process, you may need to access your router’s settings to manually start an update or visit your device manufacturer’s website for bug fixes.
You can also fine-tune the channel selection on your router. By default, many wireless routers are set to run on channel 6. This means that your neighbors’ routers might also be running on channel 6, causing congestion on that channel because of the number of devices connected to it. Using a tool like Wi-Fi Analyzer* or Wi-Fi Scanner* can help you identify router channels with more bandwidth giving you improved Internet speed.
If your router is relatively new, it should be able to switch between two radio frequencies—2.4 GHz (the older standard) and 5 GHz (the newer standard). Smart wireless routers can choose the best frequency for you and your environment. Each frequency has multiple channels: 14 at 2.4 GHz and 30 at 5GHz. So, if your router has the capability to automatically switch between frequencies, it can choose among 44 channels. You can check your wireless router settings to see if it is auto-switching between channels and frequencies for the optimal setting.
Looking for even more ways to try to increase your Wi-Fi speed and extend the Internet connection range?
1. Use a wireless range extender . While this may not speed up the connection, it can boost the signal into the dead spots of your house or office. For example, if your router is on the first floor of your house, you may want to add a wireless range extender on another floor to boost the signal. It can be a big help in areas with thick walls or other physical structures that can impede a wireless signal.
2. Add access points . Think of access points as creating a wireless mesh around your house. They transmit Internet signals to each other to create a wireless network. They are created for large spaces with multiple floors.
3. Speed up the data stream . That invisible wireless connection can have a huge impact on our daily lives—determining how much we get done or how much we can kick back and relax. No one wants dropped video calls, choppy video streaming, or slow file downloads. With a little know-how, the appropriate router and some persistence, you can tweak your wireless router’s settings to increase your channel width with options of 20, 40, 80, and even 160 MHz to improve Wi-Fi connection speed and extend range.
4. Update routers, gateways, and devices to the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard . Experience Gigabit speeds and improved responsiveness with PCs and routers featuring best-in-class 5 Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) technology.
Find out how to get the best Wi-Fi experience ›
Wi-Fi Gains Speed
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ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED Q409ZA-EVO.I5256BL notebook
- Intel® Core™ i5-1240P Processor (12M Cache, up to 4.40 GHz)
- Windows 11 Home Operating System
- 8 GB LPDDR5-SDRAM Memory
- 256 GB SSD Storage
- 14" 2880 x 1800 pixels Display
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2 Wireless
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- Intel® Core™ i7-1260P Processor (18M Cache, up to 4.70 GHz)
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- 32 GB LPDDR5-SDRAM 4800 MHz Memory
- 1000 GB SSD Storage
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MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo E13FLIP EVO A12MT-003
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MSI Prestige 14 EVO A12M-054
- Intel® Core™ i7-1280P Processor (24M Cache, up to 4.80 GHz)
- 32 GB LPDDR4x-SDRAM 4267 MHz Memory
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MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo E13FLIP EVO A12MT-026
Acer swift 5 sf514-56t-797t.
- 16 GB LPDDR5-SDRAM Memory
- 14" Touchscreen 2560 x 1600 pixels Display
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Product and Performance Information
Intel® technologies' features and benefits depend on system configuration and may require enabled hardware, software or service activation. Performance varies depending on system configuration. No product or component can be absolutely secure. Check with your system manufacturer or retailer or learn more at https://www.intel.com .
Nearly 3X Faster: 802.11ax 2x2 160 MHz enables 2402 Mbps maximum theoretical data rates, ~3X (2.8X) faster than standard 802.11ac 2x2 80 MHz (867 Mbps) as documented in IEEE 802.11 wireless standard specifications, and require the use of similarly configured 802.11ax wireless network routers.
75% Latency Reduction: Is based on Intel simulation data (79%) of 802.11ax with and without OFDMA using 9 clients. Average latency without OFDM is 36ms, with OFDMA average latency is reduced to 7.6ms. Latency improvement requires that the 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) router and all clients support OFDMA. For more information, visit intel.com/wifi6disclaimers .
4X Capacity/Scalability: This claim is based on a comparison of overall network capacity for similarly sized 802.11ax vs. 802.11ac networks. The IEEE 802.11-14/0165r1 802.11ax specification amendment defines standardized modifications to both the IEEE 802.11 physical layers (PHY) and the IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control layer (MAC) that enable at least one mode of operation capable of supporting at least four times improvement in the average throughput per station (measured at the MAC data service access point) in a dense deployment scenario, while maintaining or improving the power efficiency per station. For additional details visit: https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/14/11-14-0165-01-0hew-802-11-hew-sg-proposed-par.docx .
Best in Class Wi-Fi 6: Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) products support optional 160 MHz channels, enabling the fastest possible theoretical maximum speeds (2402 Mbps) for typical 2x2 802.11ax PC Wi-Fi products. Premium Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) products enable 2-4x faster maximum theoretical speeds compared standard 2x2 (1201 Mbps) or 1x1 (600 Mbps) 802.11ax PC Wi-Fi products, which only support the mandatory requirement of 80 MHz channels.
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3G Network Shutdown
I received a message that my phone will no longer work as of 2/23, why.
Your current device operates on our 3G network which is shutting down on 2/23/2022. Please visit us in store to set up a new account with a new phone number and new 4G/5G device to prevent service loss.
How can I avoid losing service?
To avoid service interruption, including the ability to make 911 calls, you will need to get a new device to move to our new 5G/4G Expanded Data Network as soon as possible. Please visit us in store to set up a new account with a new phone number and new 4G/5G device to prevent service loss.
What is different about the 5G/4G Expanded Data Network?
While on our 5G/4G Expanded Data Network, you'll experience faster upload and download speeds and more coverage with a stronger, more reliable signal.
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Network booster.
Adjust network priorities to boost system performance.
Prioritization mode: Off
With the Network Booster feature turned off, OMEN Gaming Hub displays network bandwidth usage for all running apps.
Prioritization mode: Auto
The auto mode sets the foreground app to high priority and all other apps to low.
Low priority apps continue to work, using only network bandwidth not being used by higher priority apps.
Prioritization mode: Custom
In custom mode each app can be assigned priorities, blocked, and assigned to different connections.
Change app priorities
Click the priority level of the desired app to change the priority setting.
The dual force slider must be in the OFF position to change app priorities.
Block an app
Click and drag the slider to the right to block an app from using bandwidth. The app can be unblocked at any time.
Dual force enables the use of Ethernet and Wi-Fi at the same time. High priority apps are automatically assigned to Ethernet while all other apps are assigned to the Wi-Fi connection. This can be changed in the settings tab.
Network Booster settings
The setting tab displays information about current network connections, usage, and Dual Force settings.
Mode : The current prioritization mode displays, as well as total upload, download, and bandwidth usage.
Connection information : Lists information about each available network connection. This includes the controller or adapter name, IP address, Mac address, and the maximum capacity for both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections.
Dual Force settings : Use the Dual Force setting to determine which apps use which connection when there is an Ethernet and Wi-Fi connection. Use the slider next to each priority to determine the connection type used for all apps assigned that priority.
The Dual Force slider must be in the OFF position to change dual force settings.
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Optimize your internet speed
Learn about internet speed, what affects it, and how to get the most from your service., what affects my internet speed.
The speed of your internet connection to your Wi-Fi® gateway is pretty consistent. You can check it with AT&T Smart Home Manager.
However, the speed you get on devices connected to your network can vary. The number of devices you connect to Wi-Fi, how you use them, their age and type, and Wi-Fi signal strength all can affect speed.
Number of devices and activities
All connected devices share your home internet connection. Trying to do too much at the same time can slow your speed:
- Using multiple devices
- Video conferencing
Device type and age
Wi-Fi devices connect to your home network using wireless radios and tech.
- Newer PCs and devices are usually faster than those using older Wi-Fi tech.
- Older devices or those with 1-2 radios (like smartphones and tablets) may not be able to reach faster speeds.
Wi-Fi signal strength
These conditions may weaken Wi-Fi and slow speed:
- Devices being too far from the Wi-Fi gateway
- Obstacles like walls, doors, or floors
- Construction materials like concrete or rebar
- Electrical appliances like microwaves and baby monitors
- Interference from neighbors’ Wi-Fi networks
How can I speed up my internet?
Take steps to boost internet and device speed., get results with easy changes.
- Restart your Wi-Fi gateway every couple of weeks.
Turn off or disconnect devices you're not using.
Move Wi-Fi devices closer to your gateway.
- Add a Wi-Fi extender to strengthen and expand your coverage.
Try using wired connections when you stream, game, and video conference.
- Place your Wi-Fi gateway in a central location away from obstructions.
Improve device speed
Reboot devices regularly to clear system errors.
Exit streaming apps after watching videos or listening to music.
Set auto-updates on apps, gaming consoles, and PCs to run when your network isn’t busy.
Update anti-virus programs, drivers, firmware, and computer and device software.
Replace older Wi-Fi devices with newer, faster technology.
- Check your device speed
Have lots of connected devices?
How can i get help with my network and devices.
View devices on your network and check their data use and connection strength.
Test your internet speed from our network to your Wi-Fi gateway.
Use the Smart Home Manager to:
Check your Wi-Fi signal strength and reach.
Restart your gateway.
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10 Ways to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal
Check out these quick tips to boost your wireless signal from your router, extend and optimize your Wi-Fi coverage, and speed up your surfing.
Browsing slowing to a crawl, the inability to stream, dropped Wi-Fi signals, wireless dead zones—every one of these problems is maddening in a world where getting online has become, for some, as necessary as breathing. (Well, maybe not that critical...but still important.)
If you feel like your Wi-Fi has gotten sluggish, there are many tools you can use to test the speed of your internet . There are also a few tricks you can try to troubleshoot your network issues . However, if the only way you can get decent reception is by standing next to your wireless router, these simple tips can help optimize your network.
1. Check Your Wired Internet Connection
Before you blame the Wi-Fi, make sure the internet coming into your house is performing as it should. You can do this by connecting your computer directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. If you laptop doesn't have an Ethernet port, you will need a USB-to-Ethernet adapter (Opens in a new window) .
Run a speed test (Opens in a new window) to see your internet speed. If it doesn’t match the speed on your internet bill, you may need to call your ISP or replace your router or modem . If your speed test does match your internet bill, but it still seems slow, it may be time to pony up for a better plan . (My grandmother was convinced her Wi-Fi was faulty, only for me to tell her she was subscribed to a snail’s-pace 3Mbps connection.)
If the everything seems okay, try running the test again wirelessly, standing right next to the router. If you get similarly good speeds next to the router, but not elsewhere in the house, then your Wi-Fi coverage may be to blame. If your internet is still slow standing right next to the router, you may have some outdated gear that needs an upgrade.
2. Update Your Router Firmware
Before you start tweaking things, it’s a good idea to update your router's firmware. Router manufacturers are always improving software to eke out a bit more speed. How easy—or how hard—it is to upgrade your firmware depends entirely on your device’s manufacturer and model.
Most current routers have the update process built right into the administration interface, so it's just a matter of hitting a firmware upgrade button. Other models, particularly if they're older, still require you to visit the manufacturer's website, download a firmware file from your router's support page, and upload it to the administration interface. It's tedious, but still a good thing to do since it would be such a simple fix.
In fact, even if your wireless network isn't ailing, you should make it a point to update your firmware on a regular basis for performance improvements, better features, and security updates. For help with this, we have a guide on accessing your router’s settings .
If you really want to get the most out of your current router, the adventurous can look at a third-party firmware, like the open-source DD-WRT (Opens in a new window) . This can ramp up performance and give you access to more advanced networking features, including the ability to install a VPN right onto your router . It’s a bit more complex to set up, but for tech-savvy users, it may be worthwhile.
3. Achieve Optimal Router Placement
Not all homes will distribute Wi-Fi signal equally. The fact is, where you place the router can hugely affect your wireless coverage. It may seem logical to have the router inside a cabinet and out of the way, or right by the window where the cable comes in, but that's not always the case. Instead, here are some pointers:
Keep your wireless router surrounded by open air, away from walls and obstructions to prevent interference and overheating.
Place your router in the center of your house, if possible, so the signal can reach to each corner of the house with ease.
If you can eliminate even one wall between your workspace and the router, you can drastically improve performance.
Avoid heavy-duty appliances or electronics, since running those in close proximity can impact Wi-Fi performance.
If your router has external antennas, orient them vertically to bump up coverage.
it can even help to elevate the router—mount it high on the wall or on the top shelf to get a better signal.
There are also plenty of tools to help you visualize your network coverage. We like Ekahau's Heatmapper (Opens in a new window) or MetaGeek's inSSIDer (Opens in a new window) , which show you both the weak and strong spots in your Wi-Fi network. There are plenty of mobile apps, too, such as Netgear's WiFi Analytics (Opens in a new window) .
(Editors' Note: Ekahau is owned by Ziff Davis, the parent company of PCMag.)
4. What's Your Frequency?
Take a look at your network's administrator interface and make sure you have it configured for optimal performance. If you have a dual-band router, you'll likely get better throughput by switching to the 5GHz band instead of using the more common 2.4GHz band.
Not only does 5GHz offer faster speeds, but you'll likely encounter less interference from other wireless networks and devices because the frequency is not as commonly used. Note, though, that it doesn't handle obstructions and distances quite as well, so it won't necessarily reach as far as a 2.4GHz signal does.
Most modern dual-band routers should offer you the option to use the same network name, or SSID, on both bands. Check your router's administration interface, look for the 5GHz network option, and give it the same SSID and password as your 2.4GHz network. That way, your devices will automatically choose the best signal whenever they can.
If your router doesn't offer you the option to use the same SSID, just give it another name—like SmithHouse-5GHz—and try to connect to that one manually whenever possible.
5. Change That Channel
Interference is a big issue, especially for those who live in densely populated areas. Signals from other wireless networks can impact speeds, not to mention some cordless phone systems, microwaves, and other electronic devices.
Ever play with walkie-talkies as a kid? You may remember how the units needed to be on the same "channel" in order for you to hear each other. And if you happened to be on the same channel as your neighbor, you could listen in on someone else's conversation, even if they were using a completely different set. In that same vein, all modern routers can switch across different channels when communicating with your devices.
Most routers will choose the channel for you, but if neighboring wireless networks are also using the same channel, you'll encounter signal congestion. A good router set to Automatic will try to choose the least congested channel, but older or cheaper routers may just choose a predefined channel, even if it isn't the best one. That could be a problem.
If you're on a Windows PC, you can see what channels neighboring Wi-Fi networks are using. From the command prompt type netsh wlan show all , and you'll see a list of all wireless networks and the channels being used in your vicinity. The aforementioned network analyzers can also show you this information, often in an easier-to-read graphical format.
At the PCMag office, for instance, most of our networks and those of our neighbors are using channels 6 and 11. In general, for 2.4GHz you want to stick to channels 1, 6, and 11 since they're the only ones that don't overlap with other channels (which can degrade performance). 5GHz generally uses non-overlapping channels, however, which should make selecting the right one much easier.
If you find the Auto setting isn't working well for you, sign into your router's administrator interface, head to the basic wireless category, and try selecting one manually (ideally, one that isn't in use by many networks in your area). Run another speed test to see if that provides a better signal and faster speeds over the Automatic setting in your problem areas.
Keep in mind that channel congestion can change over time, so if you choose a channel manually, you may want to check in once in a while to make sure it's still the best one.
6. Kick Off Wi-Fi Intruders
It's entirely possible the problem has nothing to do with interference or Wi-Fi range. If your network is open, or has a weak password, you could have an unwanted guest or two piggybacking on your network. If the neighbor is downloading multiple 4K movies on your Wi-Fi, your video chats will suffer.
A tool like Wireless Network Watcher (Opens in a new window) will show you all the devices using your internet and help you sniff out a neighbor who may be stealing your Wi-Fi . Your router’s admin interface may also be a traffic analyzer of some sort that will tell you which devices are using lots of data. You may even find one of your own kids is sucking up bandwidth without you realizing it. (If so, here’s how to kick them off ).
Once you find the intruder and remedy the problem, secure your network with a strong password —preferably WPA2, as WEP is notoriously easy to crack—so others can't join in.
7. Control Quality
Most modern routers come with Quality of Service (QoS) tools to limit the amount of bandwidth that apps use, like the Netgear menu (Opens in a new window) above. QoS settings can typically be found under advanced settings in the network's administrator interface.
For example, you could use QoS to prioritize video calls over file downloads—that way, your call with grandma won't drop just because someone else is grabbing a big file from Dropbox. The file may take longer to download, but it should keep the video call looking nice. Some QoS settings even allow you to prioritize different apps at specific times of day.
Some routers may even make it easier by offering a one-click multimedia or gaming setting, so you know those applications will be prioritized. If you're trying to stream games while sharing a network, there are steps you can take to make things better.
8. Replace Your Antenna
If your router uses an internal antenna, adding an external one would be a good idea, as the latter tends to send a stronger signal. Your router may have come with antennas you can add on yourself, but if not (or if you threw them away long ago), many router manufacturers sell antennas separately.
In many cases, you can choose between omnidirectional antennas, which send a signal to all directions, or directional ones, which send a signal in one specific direction. Most built-in antennas tend to be omnidirectional, so if you plan to buy an external one (Opens in a new window) , it should be marked "high-gain" to actually make a difference.
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A directional antenna tends to be a better option, since odds are that you aren't experiencing weak spots in your network in every direction. Point your external antenna in the direction of your weak spot, and it will broadcast the signal accordingly. Check your router manufacturer's website for details on what to buy.
9. Upgrade Your Obsolete Hardware
It's a good idea to get the most out of your existing equipment, but if you’re running old hardware, you can't expect the best performance. We have a tendency to subscribe to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality with back-end devices, especially networking gear. However, if you bought your router years ago, you might still be using the older, slower 802.11n standard (or God forbid, 802.11g).
These older routers may cap at fairly low bandwidths, and may even have shorter ranges. For instance, the maximum throughput for 802.11g is 54Mbps, while 802.11n caps out at 300Mbps. All the tweaking we've outlined above will only get you so far with one of these older models.
However, if you upgrade to a new router with the latest 802.11ac standard, you get support for 1Gbps. Meanwhile, next-gen Wi-Fi 6 routers can theoretically hit 10Gbps, and Wi-Fi 6E routers have access to even more spectrum that can offer additional coverage.
Our Top-Rated Wireless Routers
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Even if your router is new, you might have some ancient devices that are falling back to older, slower standards. If you bought a PC within the last couple of years, you likely have an 802.11ac wireless adapter, or at least 802.11n. But the older your devices, the less likely they are to have modern tech built in.
For these machines, you might be able to buy a USB Wi-Fi adapter that plugs into a USB port and improves connectivity. This way you don't haver to completely replace your computer just to take advantage of new Wi-Fi technology.
Remember, a higher-quality router won't just support those faster standards, it will also do all the things we've outlined above better. It will have better channel selection, perform better band steering for 5GHz devices, and include better QoS features.
Others may have features like Multi User-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO), like the Editors' Choice TP-Link Archer AX11000 tri-band gaming router. MU-MIMO routers can send and receive multiple data streams simultaneously to multiple devices without bandwidth degradation and require specialized testing with multiple clients, but the clients need to be MU-MIMO compatible.
If you do end up buying a new router, the setup process won't be too scary. We have a guide on how to set up and configure the device .
10. Reach Further With a Range Extender or Mesh Wi-Fi
If all of the above tips fail, it's possible that your house is just too big for a single router to send a good signal everywhere. Your router may also just have too many corners to go around and walls to penetrate. If this is the case, you would need another solution to extend your signal: a range extender or mesh network .
Range extenders receive a signal from your router, then rebroadcast it to your devices, and vice-versa. In this way, you get an inexpensive solution that can act as a repeater to extend the range of your wireless router. However, they are often not as effective as mesh Wi-Fi systems , which replace your existing router entirely.
Instead of merely repeating a router’s signal, multiple units work together to intelligently route traffic back to your modem, blanketing your house in a single Wi-Fi network that reaches everywhere you need. When setting up these mesh points , stick to the same rules for figuring out placement: one node is connected to your modem, and each of the other nodes should be close enough to pick up a solid signal, while far enough to extend coverage to dead zones.
Our Top-Rated Wi-Fi Mesh Network Systems
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Note that even with a mesh system, you may still incur some performance loss on the far ends of your house, especially if your Wi-Fi has to make multiple “hops” between nodes. Again, placing the main unit in the center of the house is best. And connecting the nodes with Ethernet will produce the best results (trust me: if you truly want problem-free Wi-Fi, it’s worth calling an electrician to run the wires).
The traditional downside to Wi-Fi mesh systems has been that they're generally more expensive than simply adding a range extender to your existing router. If you’re tech-savvy, you might be able to save some money by setting up a few cheaper (but more complex) Ubiquiti UniFi Lite (Opens in a new window) access points. Amazon's Eero 6 and Eero Pro 6 are also $100 to $200 less than much of their mesh competition while offering Wi-Fi 6 compatibility and a built-in Zigbee smart home hub. The company's latest Echo Dot speakers, meanwhile, include Eero mesh integration .
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 Release) Review
Amazon echo dot with clock (5th gen, 2022 release) review, like what you're reading.
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The 9 Best Ways to Boost a Wi-Fi Signal
Take steps to improve your wi-fi signal strength and range.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- University of Illinois
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In This Article
Jump to a Section
- Relocate the Router
- Change the Channel and Frequency
- Update the Firmware
- Upgrade the Antennas
Add a Signal Amplifier
Try a wireless access point.
- Use a Wi-Fi Extender
- Change Quality-of-Service Settings
Ditch the Out-of-Date Router
A weak Wi-Fi signal complicates your online lifestyle, but there are plenty of ways to boost your Wi-Fi signal to improve productivity and enjoyment.
Many people like to extend their Wi-Fi range outside during warmer months of the year so they can enjoy the outdoors. For others, browsing speed might be slow inside the house, a particular room might be in a wireless dead zone, or they can't stream movies without buffering.
If any of these sound like you, try a combination of the suggestions here to increase signal strength and expand the Wi-Fi range to improve your connection.
Relocate the Router or Gateway Device
The range of a typical Wi-Fi network often doesn't cover an entire house. Distance from the router and physical obstructions between devices and the router affect signal strength. The placement of a Wi-Fi broadband router or other network gateway device directly affects its signal reach.
Experiment by repositioning your router in different locations to avoid physical obstructions and radio interference, which are two common range limiters for Wi-Fi equipment. Typical sources of Wi-Fi signal impediments in residences include brick walls, large metal appliances, microwave ovens, and cordless phones. Sometimes, raising the height of the router improves the range because many obstructions are located at floor or waist height.
Change the Wi-Fi Channel Number and Frequency
Range-limiting wireless interference may be caused by neighboring Wi-Fi networks that use the same Wi-Fi radio channel. Changing Wi-Fi channel numbers on your equipment can eliminate this interference and improve overall signal strength.
All routers have a 2.4 GHz band, but if you have a dual-band router—one with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands—you'll likely experience less interference on the 5 GHz band. The switch is a simple one. Check the router manufacturer's website or documentation for instructions.
Update the Router Firmware
Router manufacturers make improvements to their software and issue firmware updates to improve the performance of their products. Update the router firmware occasionally , even if you don't experience problems with the router, for security updates and other improvements.
Some routers have the update process built-in, but most older models require you to find the update and download it from the equipment manufacturer.
Upgrade The Router Or Gateway Radio Antennas
Stock Wi-Fi antennas on most home network equipment do not pick up radio signals as well as some aftermarket antennas. Most modern routers feature removable antennas for this reason.
Consider upgrading the antennas on your router with more powerful ones. Some router manufacturers advertise high-gain antennas on their products, but these tend to be offered only on expensive models, so even these may benefit from upgrading. Also, consider a directional antenna, which sends the signal in a specific direction rather than in all directions, when your router is situated at the far end of the house.
Bidirectional boosters amplify the wireless signal in both transmitting and receiving directions—an important point because Wi-Fi transmissions are two-way radio communications.
Add a Wi-Fi signal amplifier (sometimes called a signal booster) to a router, access point, or Wi-Fi client at the place where an antenna normally connects.
Businesses sometimes deploy dozens of wireless access points (APs) to cover large office buildings. Many homes wouldn't benefit from having an AP, but a large residence can. Wireless access points help cover those hard-to-reach corner rooms or outdoor patios.
Adding an access point to a home network requires connecting it to the primary router or gateway. A second broadband router can often be used instead of an ordinary AP because many home routers offer an access point mode specifically for this purpose.
Use A Wi-Fi Extender
A wireless extender is a stand-alone unit positioned within the range of a wireless router or access point. A Wi-Fi extender serves as a two-way relay station for Wi-Fi signals. Clients that are too far away from the original router or AP can instead associate with the same local wireless network through the extender.
An alternative to a Wi-Fi extender is a mesh network , which uses router-like devices in each room to serve Wi-Fi in that room.
Purchase a Wi-Fi extender and install it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Try Quality-of-Service Tools
When several people use the same Wi-Fi connection, Quality-of-Service comes into play. The QoS tools limit the amount of bandwidth that apps use. You can specify which apps and services receive priority, and set priorities for different times of the day. QoS prevents streaming video from degrading when everyone in your house decides to download files or play their favorite video games at once. They can still download their files and play games, just at a slower rate, so that you can enjoy your movie.
Change the QoS settings , which are usually located in the advanced settings of the router interface. You may see gaming or multimedia settings that prioritize bandwidth for those particular applications.
You won't find these handy tools on old routers. If you can't find settings for this, your router probably needs an update.
Equipment manufacturers make improvements to their products. If you've used the same router for years, you'll see tremendous Wi-Fi improvements by buying a current-generation router. The current standard for routers is 802.11ac , and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is gaining ground. If you run a router on standard 802.11g or 802.11b, you can't do much to improve it. Even speedier 802.11n routers can't keep up with the ac (Wi-Fi 5) and ax (Wi-Fi 6) standards.
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Sprint Prepaid offers dependable, nationwide coverage for voice and data. To view the coverage in your area, select the combination of voice and data cover you want to see, then enter an address or just your zip code in the fields to the right.
Green regions denote voice coverage. Orange, blue and purple regions denote data coverage.
View Coverage Map on a full page and visit the Shop for Sprint Prepaid phone options.
Nationwide Sprint Network. This tool provides high-level estimates of our wireless coverage. Coverage is not available everywhere and varies based on a number of factors. Our coverage maps provide high level estimates of our coverage areas when using your device outdoors under optimal conditions. Coverage isn't available everywhere. Estimating wireless coverage and signal strength is not an exact science. There are gaps in coverage within our estimated coverage areas that, along with other factors both within and beyond our control (network problems, software, signal strength, your wireless device, structures, buildings, weather, geography, topography, etc.), will result in dropped and blocked connections, slower data speeds, or otherwise impact the quality of services. Services that rely on location information, such as E911 depend on your device's ability to acquire satellite signals (typically not available indoors) and network coverage. E911 services also depend local emergency service provider systems/support. Estimated future coverage subject to change.
Network Management
About us my cart, open internet information, information relating to boost’s broadband internet access services.
This web page contains important information about the terms, performance, and management of Boost’s wireless broadband Internet access services and is intended to help you to make informed choices about the purchase and use of Boost’s services. It applies to Boost branded prepaid and postpaid services. Broadband Internet access services provide Boost customers with the ability to transmit and receive data from all or substantially all points on the Internet while using Boost’s data networks. In some cases we will refer you to other web pages that will provide additional information about Boost’s terms and practices. The information provided relates to your experience while using Boost’s data networks and may not describe the terms, performance, or management you may experience while using extended coverage networks or roaming on non-Boost affiliated networks.
For questions that are not answered on this page, Boost customers may chat with us at any time, or reach out via any of the methods listed on our customer service contact page located at: https://www.boostmobile.com/support/contact-us . For information on resolving disputes with Boost, please review our terms and conditions under the heading ‘DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ARBITRATION’ located here: https://www.boostmobile.com/about/legal/terms-conditions/general-terms-conditions.html .
Commercial Terms
Where can i find pricing and other terms and conditions for boost broadband internet access.
Boost's terms and conditions, including guidelines on such topics as service plans, activation procedures, data usage and dispute resolution, can be viewed at the bottom of all of our online shopping pages. Terms and conditions also can be viewed here: https://www.boostmobile.com/about/legal
Detailed information on all of Boost's broadband Internet access service plans for phones, broadband cards, laptops, tablets, mobile hotspots, and more can be found on Boost's online shopping page at: Boost Mobile: https://www.boostmobile.com/plans .
What is Boost's policy for online privacy?
Boost is committed to protecting the privacy of our customers. Boost's Privacy Policy describes how Boost may collect, access, use, or disclose your personal information while using our products or services. You can find Boost's Privacy Policy and other relevant privacy information online at: https://www.boostmobile.com/about/legal/privacy-policy .
Does Boost have rules regarding the attachment of devices to its network by customers?
Any device certified as being Boost network compatible may be used on the Boost network including compatible devices not purchased from Boost. Information about Boost compatible devices can be found on Boost’s website at: https://www.boostmobile.com/support/phone-help . Boost will not activate devices that have been reported as lost or stolen or associated with accounts that are found not to be in good standing.
Performance
Broadband Internet Access network performance is generally described by looking at two measurements – speed and latency. Speed refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over a period of time and is typically expressed in megabits of data per second. Latency refers to the amount of time it takes for a packet of data to get from one designated point to another. Boost measures latency as the time it takes a packet to be returned to its sender in milliseconds.
Network speed and latency determines how applications perform on a network. Many commonly used applications do not require high speeds. Applications like email, general web surfing, posting on social media, and other similar applications work well even when connected at lower speeds and are not generally affected by latency. Applications like streaming music and video may require higher speeds, but because they can be buffered, are also not affected by higher latency. Applications like real-time gaming, two way video conferencing, and other interactive audio/video applications usually work best when customers have high speed connections and low latency. Boost customers will enjoy the best experience with these interactive applications when connected to Boost’s newest network technology.
What performance can I expect from Boost's data networks?
Boost regularly measures the coverage, speed, and latency of our data networks in an effort to ensure our coverage maps and performance data are accurate and up-to-date. Our average speed and latency ranges are based on a combination of independent third-party testing and Boost-generated results including actual customer performance results. Coverage isn't available everywhere, and speeds and latency may vary considerably from these averages based on factors both within and beyond Boost’s control such as network problems, software, signal strength, your wireless device, structures, buildings, weather, geography, topography, etc. It is important that you consider the capabilities of your device, Boost’s network coverage, and Boost’s expected speed and latency estimates for Boost’s network technologies in determining whether Boost’s data services are right for you.
5G Network: Boost has provided you access to the first, largest and only nationwide 5G network, tapping into a 5G network in more than 5,000 cities and towns across the country. Starting 6/23/20, the only Boost device that is supported on this 5G network is the Samsung Galaxy S20. Make sure to install the latest device software updates to experience this network.
4G LTE network: Typically, you can expect to experience download speeds of 4-35Mbps and upload speeds of 1-5Mbps with an average device to network edge round-trip latency of 30-56ms. The average speed and latency of our 4G LTE network is suitable for video and audio streaming, web browsing and other general Internet usage consistent with Boost's terms and conditions.
Boost non-LTE network: Typically, you can expect to experience 600 Kbps-1.4Mbps download speeds and 350Kbps-500Kbps upload with an average device to network edge round-trip latency of less than 160ms. The average speed and latency of our non-LTE networks is suitable for video and audio streaming, web browsing and other general Internet usage consistent with Boost's terms and conditions.
Do different Boost plans have different performance?
Yes. To help ensure that our customers have access to the services that best suit their needs, Boost offers a wide variety of different plans. Depending on the plan, you may be allotted fixed amounts of high-speed data per billing period after which your data access speeds may be reduced or suspended. Boost plans may also limit the amount of data available for specialized applications such as use of your device as a Wi-Fi hotspot, to engage in peer to peer file sharing, VPN, and device tethering. Users on such plans will typically be directed to an informational web page with further options after exceeding any plan limits on these types of applications.
Some of our plans may provide different performance characteristics optimized to different user experiences. For example, some plans may come with standard DVD quality video streaming at one price, while providing an HD video experience for an additional charge. Similarly some plans may also limit gaming or audio streaming to standard or high definition. In some cases, users on plans with data allocations for specialized applications like Wi-Fi hotspot, peer to peer file sharing, VPN, and device tethering will experience reduced speed for those applications for the remainder of the billing period after exceeding their allotments.
For more information on the performance characteristics of current plans, please refer to the following page: Boost Mobile: boostmobile.com/plans .
Boost is committed to providing the best mobile broadband Internet access service experience possible. To ensure that all Boost customers enjoy the best possible network experience, Boost uses reasonable network management practices that are consistent with mobile broadband industry standards and guidance provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Boost’s network management practices are primarily used for and tailored to achieving legitimate network management purposes taking into account Boost’s network architecture and technology.
The following is intended to help you understand what Boost means by network management and explain Boost's network management techniques and approaches.
Why does Boost manage its network?
Boost manages its network with the goal of delivering the best possible mobile broadband Internet access experience to our customers. Mobile network resources are not infinite. Managing the network is essential to promote the use and enjoyment of mobile data by our customers. We use reasonable network management practices that are consistent with industry standards for protecting Boost’s network and customers and for managing the delivery of mobile broadband services. Just as the Internet continues to change and evolve, so, too, will our network management practices to address the challenges and threats on the Internet.
How does Boost manage its network?
Boost employs a holistic approach to managing congestion on its data network. Boost’s first goal is to avoid congestion altogether by directing traffic to the best available spectrum resources and cell sites. Boost also attempts to avoid congestion by managing tonnage on its network. Finally, when congestion does occur, meaning that the demand on a particular sector temporarily exceeds the ability of that sector to meet the demand, Boost relies on the radio scheduling software provided by Boost’s hardware vendors to allocate resources to users.
Techniques to Direct Traffic to the Best Available Spectrum Resources and Cell Sites: All mobile networks, including Boost’s, employ a Radio Access Network (“RAN”) that manages connectivity between mobile client devices and the core network. The RAN functions to identify mobile devices permitted to access the network and their locations and assigns the mobile device to an available frequency band and cell site serving the location. The RAN also controls device “hand off” between neighboring cell site resources to balance load across network resources or as a mobile device moves from one location to another. Boost’s RAN manages connections between mobile devices and cell sites operating on multiple frequency bands (800 MHz, 1.9 GHz, 2.5 GHz) and multiple air interfaces (CDMA, EVDO, LTE). As part of managing those connections, Boost’s RAN is designed to dynamically connect customers to the best available spectrum resources and cell sites—and reassign those connections as circumstances change.
Managing Tonnage: Some of Boost’s traffic management efforts are aimed at avoiding congestion by managing the total volume of data transmitted, referred to colloquially as “tonnage.” Boost may work with high-volume content providers to help ensure that their content is delivered in a way that uses Boost’s network in an efficient manner. In addition, some applications may reduce or increase their traffic volume depending on network conditions. For example, some streaming video applications employ adaptive bitrate protocol to stream video. These applications automatically and continuously monitor the available bandwidth and adjust the streaming video bitrate to current user conditions. Depending on available bandwidth, users may notice differences in video streaming quality as the application adjusts the video streaming bitrate to account for changing channel conditions.
Allocating Resources During Times of Congestion: Despite our best efforts to prevent congestion through managing tonnage and directing customers to the best available network resources, the demand on a particular network sector sometimes temporarily exceeds the ability of that sector to meet the demand. During these times, Boost relies on the radio scheduling software provided by Boost’s hardware vendors to allocate resources to users. This radio scheduling software includes a set of generic fairness algorithms that allocate resources based on signal quality, number of users, and other metrics. These algorithms are active at all times, whether or not the cell is congested; however, during times of congestion, the algorithms operate with the goal of ensuring that no single user is deprived of access to the network.
Quality of Service (QoS) for Boost Mobile customers: To help protect against the possibility that unlimited data plan customers that use high volumes of data may occupy an unreasonable share of network resources, Boost employs network prioritization, network traffic management or QoS on the Boost network. For customers on unlimited data handset plans on or after July 17, 2020, or customers who choose to upgrade their handsets or activate new lines of service on or after July 1, 2020, and are on unlimited data plans, that use more than 35GB of data during a single billing cycle (the QoS Threshold), Boost reserves the right to de-prioritize or to reduce the speed available to a customer for the remainder of that billing cycle. Affected unlimited data customers will continue to be able to enjoy unlimited amounts of data without the worry of overage charges. Customers subject to de-prioritization may experience reduced throughput and increased latency compared to other customers on the constrained site and as compared to their normal experience on the Boost network. Unlimited customers may also notice changes in the performance of data intensive applications such as streaming video or online gaming when subject to de-prioritization or the reduction in speeds. In the situation where the traffic is de-prioritized, the performance will return to normal as soon as the resource constraints have been relieved or the customer has relocated to a non-constrained location. Unlimited data customers potentially subject to lower QoS will be notified when their individual data usage reaches approximately 85% of the QoS Threshold so that they may modify their usage to avoid network management practices that may result in slower data speeds. We will also notify customers when they have reached the QoS Threshold and are now subject to de-prioritization or their speeds are reduced.
How does congestion management impact me and my data services?
The goal of congestion management is to ensure that all users during times of congestion have access to a fair share of the network resources and that no user is starved of resources. When congestion occasionally occurs, customers may experience reduced throughput or speed compared to their normal experience on non-congested sites.
How often does Boost use congestion management?
Because of the peaked nature of mobile data traffic, congestion management software is actively looking for network congestion at all times. When it detects congestion, the fairness algorithms described above operate with the goal of ensuring that all customers are allocated a fair share of network resources.
To help reduce congestion, Boost evaluates its overall network performance and enhances its network by adding capacity or making other network adjustments to help improve network performance.
Does Boost have any prohibited applications or uses?
Yes, Boost broadband internet access services are intended to be used for web surfing, sending and receiving email, photographs and other similar messaging activities, and the non-continuous streaming of videos, downloading or uploading of files or online gaming. To ensure the activities of some users do not impair the ability of our customers to have access to reliable services, Boost prohibits use of our services in a manner that is illegal, harms or unduly interferes with Boost's network or systems, poses a security risk, or is otherwise prohibited by our terms and conditions or acceptable use policy. Refer to https://www.boostmobile.com/about/legal/terms-conditions and https://www.boostmobile.com/about/legal/acceptable-use-policy for more information.
Does Boost discriminate against particular types of online content?
Boost strives to deliver to its customers access to all the lawful, legitimate and non-infringing content that the Internet has to offer. However, we are committed to protecting our network and customers from spam, phishing, viruses, malware, security attacks and other unwanted harmful or malicious online activities. Boost uses industry standard tools and generally accepted best practices and policies including our own analysis and third party intelligence to help it meet this goal. In cases where these tools and policies identify certain traffic patterns, addresses, or destinations as being harmful or malicious, Boost may deploy technical controls to block or prevent access to harmful or malicious traffic. In other cases, these tools and policies may permit customers to identify certain content that is not clearly harmful or unwanted, such as bulk email or websites with questionable security ratings, and enable those customers to inspect the content further if they want to do so. Boost does not block sites based on content or subject, unless the Internet address hosts unlawful content or is blocked as part of an opted-in customer service.
Despite the actions that Boost takes to protect its network and customers, Boost cannot guarantee that you may not encounter unwanted or harmful or malicious internet traffic while using Boost’s broadband Internet access services. We encourage you to engage in your own security practices including using antivirus/antimalware products.
Do device software upgrades affect the performance of my device on Boost's network?
From time to time, Boost may push software updates to your device to improve device features, security, and performance. These updates may include components that optimize the way your device and application on the device use network resources by, for example, managing connections between a user's Wi-Fi networks and the Boost network or by managing the intervals at which certain background applications not being used by the user connect to the network. Updates that manage radio resources are intended to improve performance and device battery life while at the same maintaining a high quality user experience.
Data Boost & Boost Up Plans: Currently, basic phones (non-smartphone) can only activate on the $35 Data Boost and $45 Data Boost plans. However, Boost offers, plans and terms are subject to change at any time. Boost has no annual contracts; service is subject to the Boost Mobile General Terms and Conditions & other terms provided or presented. Prices & offers subject to change without notice & may not be available in all markets/retail locations or for all devices. State & local sales taxes/fees may apply when adding funds to accounts. Plans include unlimited domestic talk, text, data (applicable 3G/4G high-speed monthly data allotment. Video streaming limited to 3G speeds) & 411 Directory Assistance calls (interactive voice services only). International services extra. Data terms: After applicable plan's data allotment reached, data access continues but data speeds (including video) reduced to 2G speeds for remainder of plan cycle & restored when new cycle begins. Other terms: Account must have sufficient funds to cover monthly plan cost & add-ons/incidentals by payment date or service will be suspended. Offers & coverage not available everywhere. Sprint 4G LTE network reaches over 270 million people. Not all services available on 4G and coverage may default to 3G/separate network where 4G unavailable. Offer, network use rules & other restrictions apply.
Boost plans with the “EnhancedStream” video option are available with current monthly Boost plans only. Customers must select the EnhancedStream option during activation or online in My Account.
$30 Data Boost Up with Auto Re-Boost ($40 without Auto Re-Boost) includes 2GB/month of high-speed data.
Video streaming is limited to 3G speeds. Require Auto Re-Boost enrollment.
$30 Data Boost Up plan valid until 7/31/2015 and available only for Boost 4G LTE phones. Auto Re-Boost requires registration of valid credit/debit card; un-enrollment from Auto Re-Boost will increase Data Boost Up plan cost ($30 to $40/$35 to $40 Data Boost Up plans). Offer, prohibited use rules, & other restrictions apply. ©2015 Boost Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
See complete service plan details here .
How to Change Your DNS Settings to Increase Speed
Changing your DNS settings can have a big impact on day-to-day internet speeds. Here's how to change your DNS settings properly.
Over the past two decades, technological developments have dramatically improved internet speeds. Broadband and fiber connections have created lightning-fast networks where even high-definition media can be loaded in just a few seconds.
That's not to say there isn't room for improvement. Changing your DNS settings is often cited as one of the easiest ways to optimize your internet speed. So, let's take a look at how DNS works and how to change your DNS settings.
What Is DNS?
When you enter a website's URL into your browser, it needs to be translated into the site's IP address to send and receive data. The Domain Name System (DNS) is the digital equivalent of a phonebook, providing a number (IP address) for a given name (URL).
For example, if you enter www.makeuseof.com into your browser, the DNS server translates that into an IP address—in this case, 54.157.137.27. With over a billion websites currently online, it isn't practical to maintain a list that large. So instead, your DNS server stores a cache for a range of websites.
If you try to access a site that isn't already cached, then your DNS server will request the entry from another server. Your default DNS server is likely to be provided by your ISP and isn't guaranteed to be the best performing server.
How Does Your Location Affect DNS Speed?
The infrastructure supporting the internet is a series of copper and optical cables connecting servers worldwide. Data is carried across these cables in the form of electromagnetic waves, with speed limited to the speed of light. While we can't do anything to increase that speed, we can reduce the distance these waves have to travel.
If a DNS server is located far away from you, then your browsing speeds will be impacted. However, the reality of the internet is more complicated than simple distance calculations would have you believe. Google Public DNS is one of the most popular DNS server alternatives and uses two IP addresses (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
These are known as anycast addresses, with multiple servers around the world responding to requests from these addresses. The servers responding to the requests vary throughout the day, depending on network conditions and traffic. Despite returning your queries from servers worldwide, it is consistently ranked as one of the fastest DNS servers.
They have achieved this by working with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to attach location data to DNS requests. In most cases, if you were to use a Canadian DNS server, then the CDNs would assume that you are in Canada.
This impacts loading speeds, and the content you see will be optimized for a Canadian audience. CDNs have become essential to the operation of the internet, and they are a key component in whether you can really break the internet .
Google and OpenDNS attach your IP address to the DNS requests. This means that the data is loaded from a server local to you, improving your overall internet speed.
Does Changing Your DNS Increase Speed?
When planning a trip with Google Maps, you're presented with several different travel options. Some routes will take less time, even if they cover a greater distance. This could be due to many factors like traffic, transport changes, and average speed.
When selecting a DNS server to increase your internet speeds, you'll face a similar range of factors. Choosing the most advantageous path is known as route optimization. Some DNS servers, like those provided by ISPs, will experience heavy traffic, especially during peak times.
Some servers have outdated records or inefficiently route your data. The complex interplay between servers and connections makes route optimization integral to improving your internet speeds. Your ISP's DNS server may be located close by. However, their one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to offer you the best performance.
This is where a tool like Google's Namebench comes in handy. It offers a free speed test to help you find the fastest DNS to optimize your internet speed. Namebench analyzes your connection and recommends the best DNS servers explicitly tailored to you.
Namebench isn't your only option; there are other ways to find the fastest DNS to optimize your internet speed , too. Furthermore, DNS doesn't only dictate speed. You can choose a specific DNS provider to improve your online safety and security .
How to Change DNS Settings
While your ISP likely has its own DNS server, it probably isn't the fastest option available. Instead, you'll want to change your operating system's DNS settings. There are three leading alternative DNS providers; Google DNS, OpenDNS, and Cloudflare DNS. We've compared Google DNS and Cloudflare DNS to see which provider delivers the fastest results, but you'll experience a speed and security boost switching from your default DNS to any of these alternative providers.
How to Change DNS Settings on Windows 10 and Windows 11
To change your DNS on Windows 10:
- Press Win + X to open the Power User Menu and select Network Connections .
- Under Advanced network settings, select Change adapter options .
- In the new window displaying your available network devices, right-click your internet-connected device and select Properties .
To change your DNS on Windows 11 :
- Select Advanced network settings > More network adapter options.
From there, the process of changing your DNS settings is the same for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Highlight the option titled Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties . Navigate to the Use the following DNS server addresses option.
In this area, enter the following IP addresses, depending on which DNS provider you want to use:
- Google DNS: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
- Cloudflare IPv4: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1
- OpenDNS: 208.67. 222.222, 208.67. 220.220
Once entered, click OK to save these settings. You'll be returned to the Properties menu. From here, select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and click Properties . You can now repeat the process for IPv6 DNS servers.
- Google DNS: 2001:4860:4860::8888, 2001:4860:4860::8844
- Cloudflare IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111, 2606:4700:4700::1001
- OpenDNS: 2620:119:35::35, 2620:119:53::53
Click OK to save your IPv6 DNS settings. You can then close all settings windows and return to your regular internet browsing. Once you've clicked to confirm those settings, you'll begin using your new DNS servers.
How to Change DNS Settings on macOS
To change your DNS on a macOS device:
- Open System Preferences .
- From there, click Network > Advanced .
- On this page, navigate to the DNS tab .
- Unlike on Windows, you can easily add and remove DNS servers using the + and - buttons on the window's bottom left. Once you've clicked the + icon, you can enter the IP address of your desired provider.
How to Change DNS Settings on an iPhone
If you want to change your DNS settings on an iPhone:
- First head to Settings > Wi-Fi .
- Tap the ' i ' icon next to your connected network. This will open a settings page for the network you want to adjust. Scroll the page until you reach the DNS header.
- Tap the Configure DNS option. By default, this will be set to Automatic. Select Manual to enable further options. The Add Server field will appear Under DNS Server.
- Tap the button and enter the IP address of your desired provider.
- Once complete, tap Save at the top right of the screen.
How to Change DNS Settings on Android
The steps to change your DNS on Android vary depending on your device. However, for stock Android 9.0 and above:
- Open Settings > Network and Internet .
- Tap on the arrow to expand the Advanced settings. By default, the Private DNS field will be set to Automatic. Selecting that option will open an input window.
- Tap Private DNS provider hostname . Here, you will need to use the DNS server's hostname, rather than IP address, as below.
- Google DNS: dns.google.com
- Cloudflare: 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com
The Need for DNS Speed
While there is no silver bullet to improve internet speeds, you can make numerous smaller tweaks and improvements. These improvements work together to increase your overall internet speed.
The DNS server you choose will play an essential role in this process. However well-intentioned, sometimes, errors will occur. Fortunately, they are reasonably straightforward to address.
How to boost your Wi-Fi coverage for good
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You know the routine. You fire up your browser or TV and start the next episode of your favorite show on Netflix. The video starts to buffer and you think, “great, here we go again.”
The internet is strained like never before with millions of people at home and off their higher-speed office networks. You and your neighbors are competing for speed.
There are a few factors that determine how reliable your Wi-Fi ought to be. Router speeds and range are important, as well as security settings that can prevent hackers and cybercriminals from meddling with your network. Tap or click here to see the best ways to secure your home network.
But even the fastest, most secure network is nothing without good coverage. Believe it or not, you don’t actually need to buy a thousand dollar router to get better service throughout your home. Here are some basic steps you can take to improve your signal and keep your favorite devices running seamlessly together.
1. Check your wires
Before you start looking at your Wi-Fi network, it’s important to troubleshoot your hardwired internet connection to make sure there’s nothing wrong with it. If the connection going into your router isn’t working, it won’t matter what you do to your Wi-Fi settings.
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To get started, find your router and turn it around. You should see several ethernet ports — including the WAN port, typically yellow, that connects from your router to your wall or cable modem. Check to make sure that all cables connected to your router are plugged in tightly. If your computer isn’t physically connected to your router, use an ethernet cable to connect them.
Now that you’re hardwired in, connect to the web via ethernet. Next, it’s time to check your speed. Tap or click here for our favorite internet speed tests .
You can also test the hardwired connection directly to the cable modem if there’s a router in front of it. Note : You can’t do this with a combo device.
If you find your internet is still not connecting after you’ve plugged it in, it’s time to get your network checked. Call your ISP and let them know you’ve tested the internet through a wired connection and can’t get online. They should be able to dispatch a technician to figure out what’s wrong with your connection.
2. Firmware is everything
Just like your smartphone and computer’s operating system, your router needs regular updates. These updates often address security and performance issues, and neglecting to install them can kill your range and signal strength.
To check for updates, open your router administrator page. You’ll need the device’s IP address and admin password to log in, and these are typically printed in the user guide that came with your router. There are sites that can help you find this info, too. Tap or click here for a list of default passwords for 548 router brands.
Once you’re signed in to the admin page, find a section called Advanced or Management and look for firmware updates. Download any updates available. If there is an option in your router’s settings that enables automatic updates, turn that on, too. Now you have one less step to worry about going forward.
If you don’t have updates available and still want to try to improve your service, you can also check with DD-WRT to see if a patch is available for your router. DD-WRT is an open-source, Linux-based firmware image for routers that can optimize your settings for performance. Tap or click here to visit the DD-WRT site.
To find your model, click on Router Database from the menu at the top of the website. Type your router’s model into the search bar and click on the correct entry. Download the files you need from here.
You can install the firmware update using the same admin page you visited earlier. Navigate to where you found the option to update and click any option that says Browse or Upload. Locate the files you downloaded and click them to begin custom firmware installation.
The installation process will vary depending on your device, and not all routers allow you to install update files manually. Improper installation can potentially brick your router, so proceed with caution.
3. Location, location, location
The position of your router plays a big role in your signal strength. If it’s stored behind a cabinet, couch or table, the signal may not reach the rest of your devices. This results in poor-quality connections and spotty coverage.
To get a good idea of where to position your router, visualize what your signal looks like. Your wireless router is an antenna that produces radio-waves in all directions. These radiate out from your device in the shape of a sphere. Put that router on the ground, and a good portion of your signal gets absorbed into the floor.
Instead, place your router somewhere high up and unobscured by furniture. Try putting it as close to the center of your home as possible for best results. If you have a cabinet, a high-shelf within it can be a good place for your router — so long as it’s not made of metal.
Another thing to remember: Always avoid the microwave. The radiation it produces can cause significant interference and performance issues if placed between the access point and your devices. If you have your router in your kitchen, that might be the reason you’re having signal issues.
If you want to know the exact problem areas for Wi-Fi in your home, the NetSpot app can help you figure out where your strengths and weaknesses are.
NetSpot helps you map your Wi-Fi network by measuring signal strength in specific areas. It is available for Mac and PC, and there are also app versions for iOS and Android.
To get started, open NetSpot and toggle the menu selection from Survey to Discover. You’ll get a quick assessment of your current location and the strength of every wireless network available in that spot. You can also use Survey mode to sketch out your home’s layout and measure relative network strength in each room.
Tap or click here to see how to download the Netspot app for your Mac, PC or mobile device.
4. Set up dual-band Wi-Fi for optimal speed
Did you know your router can put out its signal at different frequencies? The two primary frequencies, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, each have their own strengths and drawbacks. The lower frequency 2.4GHz Wi-Fi is able to travel much farther around your home. The higher-frequency 5GHz, on the other hand, provides a faster connection at the expense of distance.
To get the most out of your home network, you should use both frequencies at the same time. Connect your bandwidth-hogging devices to the 5GHz signal. This will prevent them from bogging down speeds on the 2.4GHz network.
To set up both frequency bands, make sure your router offers simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi. Next, open your admin menu using your web browser and navigate to the wireless settings page. Usually, this will be under a tab called Wireless or Network settings .
Once there, change your settings to Manual , if not already enabled, and change one band setting to 2.4GHz and the other to 5GHz. Then set SSID broadcasting to enabled , if available. This will make it so the two bands show as different networks to connect to.
Settings may vary depending on your router manufacturer, so check your router’s instructions to see if any additional steps are needed, or if any menus or options are labeled differently.
5. Use Windows to channel-surf and find the best signal to use
Even if you’ve set dual-band broadcasting on your routers, it’s not uncommon for others nearby to do so as well. This goes double if you live in close proximity to neighbors or in an apartment building.
Changing the channel on your router isn’t as simple as changing the channel on your TV, but it can go a long way in boosting your connection.
Wi-Fi networks become bogged down the more users are connected to them, and manually switching to one that’s less crowded can help you avoid interference from neighboring networks.
To do this, open the admin menu for your router and visit the Wireless or Network settings tab. In the same area where you changed your band settings, you should see channel options as well. If your settings default to Automatic , set them to the following channels:
- For the 2.4GHz network, choose channels 1, 6 or 11.
- For the 5GHz network, choose channels 40, 80 or 160. You can also leave it set to automatic or default settings if it seems to be working fine.
If you’re wondering which channel to choose, no problem. Windows users can actually use a system process called Netsh WLAN to see all the nearby wireless networks and the channels they’re using.
To do this, click on the Search icon from the taskbar and type Run. This will open the Windows Command Prompt.
Once the command prompt is open, paste the following text into it:
This will display a list of all available wireless networks in your immediate area, as well as the channels these networks are using. Look through the other networks and choose your channel based on whatever is used the least by your neighbors.
And if you have a Mac, not to worry: macOS gives you the option to scan your local networks as well. Here are the steps to take:
- Hold the option key on the keyboard and click on the Wi-Fi icon in the Menu Bar at the top of your screen.
- Click Open Wireless Diagnostics . A Wireless Diagnostics window will open. Leave the window as is , for now.
- Click on Window in the Menu Bar at the top of your screen.
- Click Scan from the drop-down menu. macOS will then show you all of the Wireless Access Points in your area.
- Click Scan Now to refresh the list of networks (in case you have any issues, or too few show up at first).
Look through each network and note the channels they’re using. You can also use the Summary tab to see the best specific channels to use for your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Handy!
6. Quality of Service Wi-Fi: What is it?
Different types of data use more bandwidth than others, which is why Quality of Service Wi-Fi can help. This protocol lets you prioritize data by category, which can help speed up your connection significantly.
To set up QoS Wi-Fi, open your router admin menu again and look for a tab labeled Advanced or NAT/QOS (the layout may vary depending on your router). If there is an option to Enable or toggle QoS On , do so.
Next, your router should give you the option to prioritize specific kinds of data. If it doesn’t pop up automatically, you may need to look for an option that allows you to add a rule for your web traffic.
On Netgear routers, for example, you can click QOS Setup followed by Setup QoS rule . Then, click Add Priority Rule . You can then choose to set your priority for certain kinds of traffic (like online gaming) to Highest , High , Normal , or Low .
We recommend putting your most important or frequently used items, such as streaming video or video conferencing, at the highest priority level.
7. When all else fails, swap the antenna
If you’re still having issues with Wi-Fi after applying these fixes, a new antenna might be in order. Most routers come with a stock omnidirectional antenna, which means the signal is sent out in all directions. A high-gain directional antenna can boost your speed and coverage as long as it points in the general direction of your most-used devices.
This dual-band high-gain antenna from Alfa will give you access to double-band broadcasting, and it’s easy to install and set up. Once you’re plugged in, you’ll see improvements in Wi-Fi throughout your home.
And if you want to extend your reach beyond the walls of your home, this multi-band antenna from Tupavco will give you a full-powered Wi-Fi signal across your property. If you have multiple structures or a larger piece of land, you can even set up several to build a stronger network.
Now that you know how to boost your Wi-Fi signal, there’s no excuse to keep struggling with slow or spotty internet. And even better news, your Wi-Fi is about to get stronger in the future.
8. Picking a new router
If you’ve already replaced your antenna and fully troubleshot your network issues, it might be time to just get a new router altogether. Choose one that features the latest WPA 3 encryption settings and 6GHz broadcasting — better known as Wi-Fi 6.
Wi-Fi 6 runs on a wider frequency band than older routers, which means Wi-Fi 6-equipped routers are better at handling multiple devices. This is great for those of us with smart home tech and lots of Internet of Things gadgets. Tap or click here to see all the benefits of Wi-Fi 6.
If you’re looking for a new router that has both WPA 3 and Wi-Fi 6, consider our sponsor, eero. These routers create a 6GHz mesh network across your home — blanketing all your spaces, inside and out, with Wi-Fi.
Kim’s home is made of steel, which can act as a Faraday cage and interfere with wireless connections. She used eero to fix her spotty connection, and you can too. The eero 6 covers up to 1,500 square feet while the eero 6 Pro covers up to 2,000. Eero’s extenders can also cover an additional 1,500 square feet.
Want to know which eero is the best fit for your home? Tap or click here to take this quiz from Eero that can show you . The main factors to keep in mind are how big your house is and how many devices you need to connect.
Get free overnight shipping by visiting eero.com/Kim and use promo code Kim at checkout.
By clicking our links, you’re supporting our research, as we may earn a very small commission. Recommendations are not part of any business incentives.
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Boost's QoS helps protect against the possibility of unlimited data plan customers using high volumes of data that may occupy an unreasonable share of network resources. Customers who exceed 35GB of 5G/4G data during a single payment cycle may experience a temporary slowing of their network performance during the remainder of the billing cycle.
Boost Mobile customers get the full power of a nationwide Expanded Data Network Stronger Signal 4G LTE signal is strong and reliable, covering more people in more places. Faster Speeds Experience faster upload and download speeds with the new, upgraded network. More Coverage
Boost Bring Your Own Phone, Switching is Simple | Boost Mobile Your Phone. Our Plan. The Perfect Connection. Find your device ID by dialing *#06# or pick your Operating System below for step by step instructions Continue Having trouble finding it? Choose a phone type below for further instructions Android iOS Windows Other
With Boost Mobile's New Upgraded Network, you will experience a stronger signal, faster speeds, and more coverage—including new features such as VoLTE—the ability to use voice and data at the same time! To learn more about the Expanded Data Network and device capabilities, visit https://www.boostmobile.com/about/expanded-network.html (top)
Millions of Boost customers will need new phones if the 3G network is shut off as planned, according to Dish. "I don't even think we could get a supply of the phones that we would need," Dish...
©2023 Boost Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sign In to My Boost. Phone number. PIN. Remember my phone number. Forgot your PIN? Don't have a PIN? SIGN IN. CANCEL.
My scenario...I signed up with Boost 4 months ago, have a Sprint sim card, very happy with coverage. 3 bars at home. Good for my area. Previously only 2 bars on Mint mobile. Have byod Galaxy S8PLUS unlocked. Do I stay or switch to new network? Input please.
Type "regedit" into the Windows 10 desktop search box and select regedit.exe from the list of results. Use the left-hand windowpane to navigate the Windows 10 Registry file until you find this...
If necessary, install a repeater or range extender to boost the wireless signal of your router. By Learn how to increase the Wi-Fi speed on your device by optimizing the settings to boost signal and extend range.1 Learn how to increase the Wi-Fi speed on your device by optimizing the settings to boost signal and extend range.1
Can customers on the Boost Nationwide Network upgrade to the NEW plans on the Expanded Data Network? Existing customers on the Boost Nationwide Network who want to upgrade to the Expanded Data Network with a compatible device are able to change their plan to the $35, $50 and $60 Unlimited plans only. Value Added Services (top)
Step 2. Go to Connections, Network Connections, or Network and Internet, depending on your phone. Step 3. Select Mobile Networks and ensure Mobile Data is enabled. Step 4. Select Access Point Name or "APN" (may be in Advanced options) Step 5. Select the plus "+" sign to add a new APN. Step 6.
To avoid service interruption, including the ability to make 911 calls, you will need to get a new device to move to our new 5G/4G Expanded Data Network as soon as possible. Please visit us in store to set up a new account with a new phone number and new 4G/5G device to prevent service loss.
Adjust network priorities to boost system performance. Mode: The current prioritization mode displays, as well as total upload, download, and bandwidth usage.. Connection information: Lists information about each available network connection.This includes the controller or adapter name, IP address, Mac address, and the maximum capacity for both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections.
Sign In to My Boost. Phone number. PIN. Remember my phone number. Forgot your PIN? Don't have a PIN? SIGN IN. CANCEL.
Take steps to boost internet and device speed. Get results with easy changes Restart your Wi-Fi gateway every couple of weeks. Turn off or disconnect devices you're not using. Move Wi-Fi devices closer to your gateway. Add a Wi-Fi extender to strengthen and expand your coverage.
Check your router's administration interface, look for the 5GHz network option, and give it the same SSID and password as your 2.4GHz network. That way, your devices will automatically choose...
Add a Signal Amplifier Try a Wireless Access Point Use a Wi-Fi Extender Change Quality-of-Service Settings Ditch the Out-of-Date Router A weak Wi-Fi signal complicates your online lifestyle, but there are plenty of ways to boost your Wi-Fi signal to improve productivity and enjoyment.
Boost employs a holistic approach to managing congestion on its data network. Boost's first goal is to avoid congestion altogether by directing traffic to the best available spectrum resources and cell sites. Boost also attempts to avoid congestion by managing tonnage on its network.
All you need to do is: Locate your device's IMEI or ESN number by dialing *#06#. Visit Boost Mobile's Bring Your Own Phone page. Input your IMEI/device ID number. Boost will send a message stating whether you can use your phone on their network. If it can, you're set to bring your phone to Boost.
T-Mobile's notice to Dish about shutting down its 3G CDMA network in January 2022 could mean hundreds of millions of dollars and millions of customers impacted for Boost
To change your DNS on Windows 10: Press Win + X to open the Power User Menu and select Network Connections. Under Advanced network settings, select Change adapter options. In the new window displaying your available network devices, right-click your internet-connected device and select Properties.
To do this, open the admin menu for your router and visit the Wireless or Network settings tab. In the same area where you changed your band settings, you should see channel options as well. If ...