Christmas Lights Might Slow Down Your Wi-Fi

Christmas Lights Might Slow Down Your Wi-Fi

Did your Netflix stream grind to a halt as your loved one set up the Christmas decorations? According to British telecoms watchdog Ofcom, it could be the fairy lights that slow down your Wi-Fi network at this time of year.

The organisation claims that complaints to internet service providers increase during the holiday period. While it might be because everyone is busy trying to stream Elf, Ofcom reckons that electrical interference is often to blame. That can be an issue year-round, of course, but frivolous placement of fairy lights may, apparently, account for the seasonal spike in complaints.

If you suffer some festive Wi-Fi frustration, you might want to try switching the channels over which your Wi-Fi broadcasts, or simply moving electrical equipment out of the way. And maybe take those lovely decorations off your router while you’re at it.

[Ofcom via Gizmodo UK]


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