HEREFORD has been named as one of the worst areas for download speed in the country.

The city has an average download speed of 32Mbps, which falls far below the national average of 54.3Mbps, according to the latest Ofcom report.

Information from

www.broadbandchoices.co.uk

suggests that Hereford has optimum download speeds of 87Mbps.

However, not every house or business will be able to achieve this.

For nearly 10 years the Government has focused on the roll-out of superfast broadband which, according to Ofcom, is now available in 95 per cent of the UK.

Yet, only 7 per cent of the UK has access to full-fibre networks meaning that most will be left without a reliable superfast broadband connection.

Based on the data, the best performing areas for broadband are Hull (87Mbps), Swindon (84 Mbps), Cleveland (75Mbps), Guilford (72Mbps) and Nottingham (69Mbps).

On the bottom of the download pile are Torquay (27Mbps), Lerwick (26Mbps), Llandrindod Wells (25Mbps), Perth (24Mbps) and Truro (23Mbps).

Mark Pocock, home comms expert at Broadbandchoices.co.uk, said: “Despite the research offering a useful snapshot of the UK, most British consumers only become aware of what broadband speeds they should be getting after they have signed up for a deal.”

“After all, nowadays, broadband speeds are vitally important. The new Prime Minister, for example, recognised the importance of faster broadband speeds in his acceptance speech, and has pledged to deliver full-fibre broadband to every home in the UK by 2025.”

“To protect the productivity of the UK workforce, it is vital that we continue to put pressure on councils and the Government to achieve this goal.”

Here are some of Mark's tips for getting a better download speed in your home:

1. Check your speeds

First off, check your current internet speed. You can do this with a speed checker like the one we have on broadbandchoices. Then, once you know what internet speeds you’re getting right now, you can test your new speeds to see if there’s an improvement. If you don’t notice any difference, contact the provider.

2. Relocate your router

The higher up your router is, the better your chances of getting faster speeds. Moreover, things like baby monitors and microwaves can also interfere with wifi signal, so make sure they are well out of the way of your router. Other things that can drain your broadband signal include thick, concrete walls and steel trusses. If you can avoid these, you’ll be in the best position to get a speedy broadband signal.

3. Make sure your wi-fi is secure

One of the reasons for a slow wi-fi connection could be down to your neighbours piggybacking your connection without you knowing. To that end, it is important to make sure your password isn’t easy to guess. If your router already has a password set, we recommend changing it to something unique to you, then sharing it with the family.

4. Switch providers

So, you’ve tried all the above but still aren’t seeing an improvement. Now what? Well, switching to another provider might just be your only option. Before you sign up, companies should be able to test your line and give you an accurate indication of what speeds you can expect. And if they don’t deliver, you may have the right to cancel.