By mid-summer 2020, research revealed that upwards of 42% of Americans were working full-time from home. With COVID-19 numbers recently ramping up, we can likely expect this percentage to increase. And with an influx of remote workers, the topic of internet accessibility and speed has remained a hot topic of discussion. Many work-from-home employees have wondered how well their internet will hold up amidst the demand for high-speed connectivity.

Adding to the challenge for those working from home are children participating in online school. In August, the United States Census Bureau reported that an estimated 93% of households had school-aged children engaged in some type of distance learning.

Thankfully, providers such as Cox Communications are rising to the occasion by helping households with multiple internet users.

“While we all have seen an increase in Internet traffic, our network was built to handle this,” says John Wolfe, senior vice president of the Southwest Region for Cox Communications. “We have invested more than $1 billion in upgrading our Arizona network to enable gigabit speeds and to ensure we can support our customers’ needs, especially in times like these.’”

As part of their commitment to help customers manage the challenges that come with increased internet traffic, Cox offers several tips on how to maximize your WiFi connectivity. To help get the most from your network, Wolfe recommends implementing the following:

• Make sure to disconnect devices such as coffee makers, dishwashers, and refrigerators from your wireless infrastructure (since they don’t need WiFi to operate).

• Watch movies in standard definition (SD) rather than high definition (HD).

• Lower the resolution of your doorbell or security cameras when you’re home.

• Place your WiFi router/modem in a central location.

• Elevate your router/modem (on a high shelf or dresser) to allow greater signal access.

• Schedule Zoom, Google meetings, and Skype video conferencing in the mornings or evenings (afternoon hours are typical “peak” demand for internet use).

• Connect your computer directly to your modem instead of connecting wirelessly.

• Avoid placing your router/modem near windows, doors, mirrors, and cement walls that are capable of interfering with your wifi signal’s ability to flow throughout your home.

• Ask anyone playing online games to delay downloading upgrades and streaming until the late evening to prevent other wifi devices from experiencing slower speeds.

• Move your router/modem away from Bluetooth devices, especially those (like smartwatches) that operate on the same frequency (2.4 GHZ).

• Keep your router/modem away from refrigerators, microwaves, baby monitors, cordless phones, and other appliances that emit electronic radiation.

Another key way to encourage faster internet speeds is to make sure you are using an up-to-date router. Older routers bear 802.11g or 802.11b connectivity. We recommend using a minimum of 802.11n router to help ensure you are able to experience higher internet speeds.

With a subscription to Cox High Speed Internet and Cox Telephone, you can receive an upgraded modem for free.