Making Internet connection work

In today’s globalised world, companies and institutions all over the world, no matter their size, are seriously leveraging Information Communication Technology (ICT) to transform their operations.

This, they do in order not to get lost within competition. They also heavily rely on ICT to enable them to offer reliable services to their customers and clients, wherever and whenever.

Through ICT, there is no limit to which a company or institution can go to make its products and services known and to drive traffic to their end.

In the banking sector for instance, one can talk about how the millions of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) have allowed people to check and access their money wherever they want to in the streets. So long as an A.T.M machine is there, they do banking either by saving or withdrawing cash.

On the other hand, credit cards have allowed people to carry hundreds of Ghana cedis on them but not have to carry it at all in cash as in the past where you find people carrying monies in briefcases and bags. The bank stores the money in bank accounts and the credit card allows access to it almost anywhere. This means that shopping is made easier than routing through purses or wallets for a half hour trying to find the correct money.

Online banking allows customers to check on their money from the comfort of their own home whenever they want, 24/7, even when the bank is closed. Banking is even possible on the phone now through various banking apps. These are, but a few in this sector.

However, this service delivery using ICT is common and rampant and this has given the telecoms service providers including internet service providers the business opportunity to evolve around the clock in their quest to offer the best solutions to their clients to enable them have uninterrupted services.

In spite of its benefits and the efforts in terms of funds invested into ensuring that the ICT service providers give their clients the best, there are many instances when clients face a number of challenges.

These range from slow internet service to cuts in fibre cables among many other reasons. As a result, there are few tips that users of these services ought to know.

Some tips

No matter how fast your Internet connection is, there are times when things will slow down to a crawl. When it happens, there a few things the users have to learn to do, and discover how to get the most from the Internet connection.

The type of connection: The type of Internet connection you use is the most important factor in determining your connection speed.

The three most common ways to connect to the Internet from home are dial-up, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), a technology for bringing high- bandwidth information to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines, and cable. If you have a choice, cable is usually the fastest, but both DSL and cable are faster than dial-up.

Many Internet providers also offer Fiber Optic Service (FiOS), which connects to the Internet using light over an optical network. In your home, you still connect your computer through copper wiring.

The advantage of FiOS is that it can provide higher speeds than traditional copper wire connections such as DSL or cable. Some Internet providers offer multiple options, depending on the area you are in. More populated areas are more likely to have FiOS available. Check with your phone company or Internet provider for more information.

Wireless network users: When connecting to a wireless network (Wi Fi), your Internet connection speed can be affected by both where your computer is located and whether other wireless devices are in the same area. Wireless networks operate on frequencies that are similar to those used by other devices, such as microwave ovens or cordless phones.

Proximity to the wireless access point or router, as well as physical obstructions, can affect the quality of your Internet connection. To improve your connection speed, move closer to the access point and make sure that there are no physical obstructions between the access point and your computer.

Computer woes - spyware, viruses, and other programmes: The health of your computer can affect your Internet connection. Spyware and viruses can definitely cause problems, but your Internet connection speed can also be affected by add-on programmes, the amount of memory the computer has, hard disk space and condition, and the programmes that are running.

Two of the most frequent causes of poor Internet performance are spyware and viruses. Spyware can slow your system by interfering with your browser and monopolising your Internet connection. Spyware monitors your Internet use and keystrokes, which adds delays. The problem is compounded when there are multiple spyware programmes running at the same time. If the problem is severe enough, you can lose connectivity altogether. To get your internet performance back, you should regularly run an antispyware programme to clean out any spyware infestation.

Computer viruses can also cause poor Internet performance. When a virus infects a computer, it installs computer code which will attempt to propagate itself, usually by sending copies of itself through e mail. Some viruses can multiply at the rate of hundreds of e mail messages per minute, which leaves little computing problem is severe enough, you can lose connectivity altogether. To get your internet performance back, you should regularly run an antispyware programme to clean out any spyware infestation.

Computer viruses can also cause poor Internet performance. When a virus infects a computer, it installs computer code which will attempt to propagate itself, usually by sending copies of itself through e mail. Some viruses can multiply at the rate of hundreds of e mail messages per minute, which leaves little computing power and internet connection bandwidth for anything else. Viruses often don't give any obvious indication that they are running, so it's best to run your antivirus software at all times. Browser add-ons also cause performance problems. Browser add-ons are programmes, such as multimedia add-ons, search bars, or other programmes that usually appear on your browser's toolbar.

Outside factors that affect connection speeds: Unfortunately, there are events and conditions that are outside your control. Even with a fast connection, external factors, such as busy websites or spreading computer viruses, can slow the entire web. Popular websites can become overwhelmed with users. For example, when a television commercial mentions a website, many people might try to visit the site at the same time. If the website isn't prepared to handle the traffic, you might encounter delays.

During times of heavy computer virus outbreaks, the Internet can slow down. Many viruses spread by causing computers to send out hundreds or thousands of copies of the virus. This can slow the Internet by sheer volume.

Way forward

It is a fact that in Ghana, many of the internet service providers and the telecom companies have refused to invest heavily in infrastructure to accommodate the large number of subscribers or clients they have on their networks.

When such happens, the service delivery is abysmal and that affects the smooth service delivery offered to the clients and customers of institutions that rely on the internet to deliver.

However, before users complain, it is necessary to conduct an internal assessment of the IT systems to ensure that all is working perfect before contacting the service providers. This is necessary because it will help the companies or institutions to save some unwarranted cost this might be slapped on the internet service providers.