Internet connection speeds across Berkshire County vary widely depending on where you live.  To make things more complicated, your home location often determines your choices of available internet service providers also known as ISPs.  When working on your course assignments from home the quality of your internet speed and connection can have a big impact.

Here are some tips for maximizing your internet speed, sometimes also called bandwidth, at home.  Remember, in most cases all the devices on your Wi-Fi share the same internet connection.

• Don’t watch Netflix, YouTube, or use other streaming services on your home network
• Turn off other devices connected to your home network such as smart TVs, cell phones, speakers, etc.
• Ask your family members to help by limiting their internet usage, including downloading large files or games until you are done

Check out SpeedCheck.org for a free speed test of your internet.  Scroll down on this site for more information and tips on how to improve your internet speeds.

If all else fails there are many places in Berkshire County that offer free internet access via a shared or public Wi-Fi.  Berkshire Community College is one of those places and you can often get good Wi-Fi signal from the parking lots.  For a list of other free Wi-Fi hotspots check out this website complied by The Berkshires 24-7.com.

For more questions, or to discuss specific issues with bandwidth or internet access please reach out!