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Speed-testing apps and sites are a very limited way to test wireless and broadband interference; they’re okay for spot-checks but many variables can change the results depending on when and where you run them.
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“Interference” and “obstruction” differ. Interference is caused by other devices that use radio frequencies – it’s unpredictable yet can be turned on or off. Obstruction is caused by walls, floors and physical barriers – the degradation of Wi-Fi signals is constant and predictable based on location and material.
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Wi-Fi interference can be caused by microwave ovens, baby monitors, wireless security cameras, older cordless phones and some other wireless electronic devices – typically higher-powered ones that emit more radio energy.
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The broadband “pipe” coming into your home often provides less bandwidth than your Wi-Fi network, and thus can be culprit in performance overall.
Mythbuster: Christmas and Wi-Fi Are Indeed Compatible
Ruckus' chief wireless architect debunks the myth that Christmas lights degrade your Wi-Fi. LED Christmas lights emitted no detectable interference in the first test, and had zero effect on Wi-Fi performance in the second. Suffice it to say that LED lights are not the scrooge of Wi-Fi-mas.
AUTHOR: Sundar Sankaran, Chief Wireless Architect – Wi-Fi
Just in time for the holidays, we can confirm it’s safe to put up your Christmas lights – without degrading your Wi-Fi connection. Yes, we actually tested it. And unless you’re Clark Griswold, you’ll be safe.
The back story: British regulators at Ofcom reported last Tuesday with an in-depth look at the UK telecoms and wireless networks. Ofcom also unveiled a Wi-Fi Checker app that people could use in their homes to test wireless and broadband signals – and the news release said home Wi-Fi can be hampered by “interference from other electronic devices, such as a microwave oven, baby monitor, a lamp - or even Christmas fairy lights.”
The Guardian quickly picked up on the “festive angle” with a breaking story under the headline: “Warning that Christmas fairy lights can slow your Wi-Fi.” And thus a global news meme was born, sparking a range of commentary, speculation, advice and hundreds of mostly cheeky comments about “first world problems.” While some of the discussion was thoughtful and even offered a reality check, we didn’t see any new data to counter Ofcom’s non-data.
So…three of us spent an afternoon last week in the Faraday cage, a “clean room” approach to testing equipment while blocking electrostatic and electromagnetic influences.
The result? Nada. Zip. Zilch. LED Christmas lights emitted no detectable interference in the first test, and had zero effect on Wi-Fi performance in the second. Suffice it to say that LED lights are not the scrooge of Wi-Fi-mas.
So go ahead and plug in your Christmas lights. While doing so, consider these pointers:
P.S. Let us know if you find a set of Christmas lights that purportedly degrades your home or office Wi-Fi performance. We’re happy to go back in the Faraday cage…