In today’s digital era, a fast and reliable internet connection is a must-have for any property. Whether you’re streaming movies, connecting with loved ones, or browsing the web, a seamless experience is crucial.
Unfortunately, if you’ve been experiencing connectivity issues, it could be due to your home’s cabling system. To ensure that you’re maximizing your investment, it’s wise to get a new one. This move can enhance your internet speed and improve your network’s performance.
If you’re unsure about upgrading, this blog will help. It offers eight signs that can help you determine the answer whether to go for it or not. Keep reading and start taking notes.
- High Maintenance and Repair Costs
One of the key signs that signal the need for a cabling system upgrade is the constant need for maintenance and repair. If you frequently call an electrical contractor to fix your cabling system, consider an upgrade. Outdated or damaged cables can lead to connectivity issues and slow internet speeds.
For instance, an electrical contractor may diagnose your connectivity issues caused by outdated coaxial cables. By replacing these cables with newer and more efficient ones, you can reduce the need for frequent repairs.
- Underground Cabling Issues
Underground cables can also be a concern for your home network. Over time, they degrade due to moisture, temperature changes, and rodents. If you experience recurring underground cabling connectivity issues, it indicates that an upgrade is needed.
Imagine you frequently experience internet dropouts during rainy days. This could be due to water seeping into compromised underground cables. Modernizing to waterproof cables ensures a stable internet connection regardless of the weather conditions.
- Slow Internet Speeds
Slow internet speeds are one of the most frustrating signs that your home cabling system needs upgrading. If web pages take forever to load, video streams buffer endlessly, or downloads crawl at a snail’s pace, it’s time to take action.
Say your home networking setup uses outdated category five cabling and can only support 100 Mbps data speeds. However, your internet service provider recently upgraded your internet plan to 500 Mbps. In this case, your existing cabling infrastructure limits your internet connection’s potential.
By opting for higher-grade cabling, such as category 6 or 7, you can maximize the performance of your internet plan. This allows lightning-fast browsing, streaming, and downloading.
- Frequent Network Dropouts
Do you get frustrated by network dropouts during video conferences or while streaming your favorite TV show? Network outages can be a major annoyance and disrupt your productivity. This issue strongly indicates that your home cabling system needs an upgrade.
Imagine hosting a virtual meeting and having your network drop out multiple times, embarrassing you. Such issues can be caused by faulty or outdated cables that cannot handle a stable connection. Upgrading your cabling system can eliminate network dropouts and get a reliable internet connection.
- Inconsistent Wi-Fi Coverage
Today’s connected world requires a strong, consistent Wi-Fi signal throughout your home. However, if you notice weak or nonexistent Wi-Fi coverage in your home, it’s time to check your cabling system. Poor cabling can lead to dead zones and weak Wi-Fi signals, reducing the experience.
Visualize a kitchen with a one-bar Wi-Fi signal at the other end of your house. This makes it nearly impossible to connect to the internet reliably in that area. By improving your cable system, you can eliminate those annoying dead zones.
- Inadequate Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Support
Power over Ethernet (PoE) demand has increased as smart and IoT devices proliferate in homes. PoE technology powers and connects devices via one Ethernet cable, simplifying installation. However, if your home cabling system lacks PoE support, consider an upgrade.
Imagine investing in security cameras for your home but not having enough outlets to power them. This is where PoE comes into play, enabling you to connect these devices using a single cable for power and data. Adding PoE to your home cabling lets you expand your network and power all your smart devices.
- Poor Video Streaming Quality
Most internet users have experienced the frustration of buffering videos. Whether binge-watching your favorite film trilogy or a new TV show, nothing ruins the experience more than pixelated videos. Poor video streaming quality can be attributed to the limitations of your existing cabling system.
Envision streaming an HD film that buffers every few seconds, resulting in a jagged viewing experience. This may be due to your cabling system being unable to support the bandwidth for streaming high-quality videos. But you can enjoy a clear streaming quality by modernizing your cabling infrastructure.
- Excessive Noise or Interference
Finally, excessive network noise or interference may indicate cabling issues. Signal disruption from noise and interference can slow internet speeds and reliability. If interference is persistent, an upgrade may be needed.
Visualize you’re an avid online gamer whose ping spikes are causing lag and affecting your experience. This could be due to electromagnetic interference caused by improper shielding. By revamping your wiring setup using newer cables with better interference shielding, you can enjoy a smooth gaming session.
Concluding Ideas for Future-Proofing Your Cable Network
Ultimately, if you’re experiencing most of these signs, it’s time to consider upgrading your home cabling system. Addressing these eight signs and installing up-to-date cabling can greatly improve your internet connectivity.
So, bid farewell to subpar internet connection and embrace the possibilities of a faster, more reliable home network.
