The summer television viewing season isn’t what it used to be.

Once known for endless reruns and launches of shows that studios deemed less likely to be successful, the world of streaming entertainment and the production houses it created are churning out phenomenal content you’ve just got to see.

The trouble is that lots of other people want to watch it too! Quite often, they’re streaming at the same time as you. With kids out of school for the summer and many people heading indoors to escape the heat, internet usage increases during the dog days of summer. Unfortunately, along with the increased demand, streaming picture quality and overall reliability often decline, frequently turning what should be a relaxing evening into a frustrating experience.

And with new premieres coming this summer, you can be sure that your neighbors (and maybe you too!) will be streaming away the second these shows hit screens.

So what can you do to prepare for all of this increased demand, or are you doomed to suffer repeated buffering, pixelation, and loading errors during the summer slowdown?

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to improve your internet connection and performance, even during the summer’s high demand. Our team at Mi-Fiber, is standing by to help you learn more about high-speed fiber internet and suggest adjustments inside your home to improve your Wi-Fi’s range and overall streaming experience.

Below we suggest five tips to help you beat the summer slowdown so you and your family can enjoy a better streaming experience.

Tip #1: Upgrade to Fiber Internet

The single best thing you can do to improve your internet speed and connection is to upgrade to fiber internet. A technological wonder, fiber internet utilizes fiber-optic cables composed of ultra-thin, tiny strands of glass and other materials that transmit internet data near the speed of light.

As a result, fiber internet’s speeds exceed cable internet, which uses older technology and copper-based materials that cannot compete with fiber’s highest speeds.

Getting a dedicated fiber internet line through Mi-Fiber directly to your home means you no longer have to share bandwidth with your neighbors

Tip #2: Select the Bandwidth to Meet Your Family’s Needs

Once you’ve upgraded to fiber, talk to the customer service representatives at Mi-Fiber about which level of speed you need.

This will vary from household to household, and Mi-Fiber ‘s team can help you determine what will provide the proper amount of speed for your home. If you have multiple people in your home, be sure to choose a plan that offers enough bandwidth for the whole family to use it simultaneously. This tip will help keep the high-speed internet flowing into your home and devices and help keep the peace in your family!

Mi-Fiber offers a wide range of speed tiers so you can be sure there is an option to fit your needs!  You can also upgrade your speed at any time, so if you find that the speed you originally signed up with isn’t cutting it, you can switch with a quick and easy phone call.

Tip #3: Optimize the Position of Your Wi-Fi Router

After you’ve set up your fiber internet service, and speed tier, make the most of Mi-Fiber’s high-speed fiber internet by optimizing the location of your Wi-Fi router in your home.

Remember that obstructions like too many walls and windows can interfere with, weaken the Wi-Fi signal, and reduce streaming quality as it disperses through your home.

The simplest way to assess your Wi-Fi router’s placement is to run speed tests throughout your home (where your devices are most frequently used to stream). Speed tests let you experiment with your Wi-Fi router’s position—and making even minor adjustments, like elevating the router or separating it away from other electronic devices, can make a significant difference in streaming performance. And, of course, M-Fiber’s friendly technicians are always around to help you, so feel free to contact us!

 #4: Utilize Parental Controls

Finally, don’t forget about parental controls! This is much more than limiting the content your kids may use. Parental controls let you prevent your children from using online devices during certain times of day or night, which both reduce their screen time (something all parents aim to do) and increases the amount of bandwidth for you to enjoy!

By implementing these tips, you can significantly improve the picture quality and reliability of your streaming experience, even with the increased internet demand and higher usage of the summer. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a summer of streaming!

And for more helpful tips on improving your internet experience, follow Mi-Fiber’s Facebook page!