According to figures from the Fair Internet Report, download speeds in the Isle of Wight are almost 28 per cent worse than the national average for the United Kingdom. It’s a shocking statistic, but one that will come as little surprise to residents. The island’s Wi-Fi coverage is notoriously poor, and the phone service isn’t much better.
This can cause some real issues for residents, especially those who are reliant on the internet for their livelihoods. With the increasing move toward working from home, this is a problem that’s being felt ever more keenly – with many locals struggling to take advantage of flexible working as a result.
So, what’s the solution? Below, we list a few workarounds you might find useful.
Invest in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot
For those who live in less technologically developed areas of the UK, it can be hard to keep up – especially in a professional sense. That’s why an increasing number of people are creating tech survival kits like the one shared by ExpressVPN. A portable Wi-Fi hotspot is an essential component.
If you’re wondering what this is, it’s a pocket-sized mobile router you can travel around with. It relies on 3G and 4G signals from mobile network providers to create an internet connection that’s accessible from various devices, such as computers and laptops. This means that if your Wi-Fi is abysmal, you have another option to explore.
Naturally, it has the upside of being easy to transport, so if you like to work on the go or from various locations, you can take your internet signal with you.
Choose your provider with care
Download speeds for the Isle of Wight may be significantly slower than for much of the UK, but not all providers are equally bad. As with any location, some will be able to deliver faster speeds than others, so it’s worth doing your research to see who’s the best.
For example, as well as more widely known providers, such as BT and EE, there’s a locally based company called WightFibre. It tends to deliver the fastest internet speeds in the area (up to 941.75 Mbps). It serves six different cities in the region so could be a good option for some.
If you’re interested, this tool from Fast can help you work out what your current speed is.
Think about where you’re relocating to
If you’re looking for a more drastic solution than switching providers or investing in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, then moving might be it. While we’re not suggesting you do this based purely on the download speed for your area, if a move is already on the cards, it’s a factor worth considering.
So, where can you find the fastest download speeds on the Isle of Wight? West Cowes is your best bet, being served by 11 different providers and with average speeds of up to 173.32 Mbps. Close behind is East Cowes, with six providers and average speeds of up to 146.91 Mbps.
When it comes to improving your internet speed, Isle of Wight residents do have options open to them – it just may take some research to work out which of them is best for you. Isn’t it time you looked into it?
