The Wirecutter Show: "Why Is Your Internet So Bad?"

Release Date: February 26, 2025
Host/Authors: Christine Cyr Clisset, Kyra Blackwell, Rosie Guerin
Guest: Joel Santo Domingo, Senior Staff Writer at Wirecutter

Introduction

In the February 26, 2025 episode of The Wirecutter Show, hosts Christine Cyr Clisset, Kyra Blackwell, and Rosie Guerin delve into a ubiquitous frustration: poor home Internet connectivity. Recognizing the Internet as an essential utility, the trio seeks to uncover the underlying causes of sluggish and unreliable connections, moving beyond the common blame placed on service providers. To guide listeners through this labyrinth of technical challenges, they are joined by Joel Santo Domingo, a seasoned writer specializing in WiFi and home networks at Wirecutter.

Understanding the Basics (02:03 - 07:13)

Christine begins by emphasizing the centrality of Internet access in daily life, highlighting that poor connectivity often stems from factors beyond just the Internet provider. Joel Santo Domingo introduces himself, recounting his extensive experience in testing consumer tech, including WiFi systems.

Notable Quote:

Christine Cyrclassette (02:50): "Internet is so central to everything most of us do every day. It's basically a utility at this point."

Joel explains the fundamental components of home Internet setups:

• Modem: Connects your home to the Internet service provider.
• Router: Distributes the Internet connection wirelessly to various devices.
• Gateway: A combined modem and router unit.

Common Internet Issues and Initial Troubleshooting (07:13 - 16:23)

The conversation shifts to practical tips for diagnosing and improving Internet performance. Joel outlines a straightforward method for testing WiFi connectivity by simulating real-world usage without external interference.

Notable Quote:

Joel Santo Domingo (07:38): "Probably the easiest thing to do would be to stay close to your router. Sitting next to your router if you're not connected to it with a cord is probably the best thing."

Key Recommendations:

1. Proximity to Router: Being physically closer to the router ensures a stronger signal, akin to speaking directly to someone without obstructions.
2. Rebooting Equipment: Turning the router and modem off and on can help mitigate signal interference from neighboring networks by allowing devices to reconnect optimally.

Additional Tips:

• Wired Connections: For devices that require stable connections, such as desktops and gaming consoles, using an Ethernet cable is recommended over relying solely on WiFi.
• Powerline Adapters: These devices utilize a home's electrical wiring to extend Internet connectivity, providing a viable alternative to lengthy Ethernet cabling.

Notable Quote:

Joel Santo Domingo (15:01): "This really applies mainly to desktops, laptops and things like gaming consoles. But wired is always better than wireless."

Choosing the Right Internet Service (19:29 - 28:38)

Joel guides listeners through the landscape of Internet service options, ranking them from best to least optimal based on speed, reliability, and availability.

1. Fiber Optic Internet:

   • Pros: Symmetrical upload and download speeds; ideal for high-bandwidth activities like streaming and video conferencing.
   • Cons: Limited availability; installation can be costly if not already present in the home.

2. Cable Internet:

   • Pros: Widely available; relatively easy to set up for those already with cable TV infrastructure.
   • Cons: Generally slower upload speeds compared to fiber; can become congested in densely populated areas.

3. Wireless Services (5G Home Internet and Satellite):

   • 5G Home Internet:
     • Pros: Faster speeds than satellite; beneficial in areas with robust 5G coverage.
     • Cons: Less stable than wired options; coverage may be limited.
   • Satellite Internet:
     • Pros: Accessible in remote and rural areas where other options are unavailable.
     • Cons: Higher latency; less suitable for gaming and real-time applications.

Notable Quote:

Joel Santo Domingo (19:29): "Probably the best way right now is Fiber, because it's actually a wired service that gets the fastest Internet from whatever company you're using."

Determining Availability: Joel advises using tools like the FCC’s Broadband Map to check available services based on one's address, noting that availability can vary even within the same building or neighborhood.

Cost Considerations: Investing in a personal router can provide better performance and eliminate monthly rental fees charged by providers. Joel mentions that the cost of purchasing a router can be offset within 10 to 12 months through savings on rental fees.

Notable Quote:

Joel Santo Domingo (13:23): "If you have a router that your cable company or a fiber company provides you and it works great, use it. If they are charging you 10, 15 bucks a month for using that router, or if the router isn't quite good enough for what you need in your home, then I would suggest purchasing a router."

Negotiating with Providers and Advanced Tips (28:38 - 32:19)

Christine brings up the possibility of negotiating better deals with Internet service providers. Joel explains that while there's some leverage, especially if switching between providers like fiber and cable, success largely depends on the specific offerings and competition in the area.

Notable Quote:

Joel Santo Domingo (28:19): "If you're lucky enough to have fiber and cable in your area, you can switch between one or the other if one is significantly cheaper for similar in package."

Determining Current Speeds: Joel recommends conducting speed tests using platforms like Speedtest.net or Fast.com to assess current Internet performance, focusing on both download and upload speeds.

Notable Quote:

Joel Santo Domingo (31:11): "Go to either of these two websites and click on go or run speed test. Speedtest will automatically give you both the upload and download speed you can get from your device."

Final Recommendations and Closing Thoughts (32:19 - 36:01)

As the episode wraps up, Joel shares his latest tech purchase, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro Toaster, showcasing his knack for blending technology with everyday life. The hosts reflect on their key takeaways:

• Christine: Emphasizes the importance of upload speeds, recognizing their role in facilitating smooth video calls and online activities.
• Rosie: Highlights the necessity of staying close to the router to minimize interference from neighboring networks.
• Kyra: Plans to be more discerning when selecting Internet providers, armed with the knowledge gained from the episode.

Notable Quote:

Christine Cyrclassette (33:27): "I hadn't really considered upload speeds before and I kind of always just assumed my Internet package was not good. And I think we were always looking at the download speeds."

Joel concludes by encouraging listeners to explore Wirecutter's comprehensive guides for more in-depth information on optimizing home Internet setups.

Conclusion

This episode of The Wirecutter Show serves as a thorough guide for anyone grappling with subpar Internet performance. By demystifying the technical aspects of home networking and offering actionable advice, Christine, Kyra, Rosie, and Joel provide listeners with the tools needed to enhance their digital connectivity. Whether it's optimizing router placement, understanding the nuances of different Internet service types, or negotiating with providers, the episode equips users with knowledge to transform their Internet experience from frustrating to seamless.

Resources Mentioned:

• Speed Test Websites: Speedtest.net, Fast.com
• Wirecutter Guides: Available at nytimes.com/wirecutter

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Christine Cyrclassette (02:50): "Internet is so central to everything most of us do every day. It's basically a utility at this point."
• Joel Santo Domingo (07:38): "Probably the easiest thing to do would be to stay close to your router. Sitting next to your router if you're not connected to it with a cord is probably the best thing."
• Joel Santo Domingo (15:01): "This really applies mainly to desktops, laptops and things like gaming consoles. But wired is always better than wireless."
• Joel Santo Domingo (19:29): "Probably the best way right now is Fiber, because it's actually a wired service that gets the fastest Internet from whatever company you're using."
• Joel Santo Domingo (28:19): "If you're lucky enough to have fiber and cable in your area, you can switch between one or the other if one is significantly cheaper for similar in package."
• Christine Cyrclassette (33:27): "I hadn't really considered upload speeds before and I kind of always just assumed my Internet package was not good. And I think we were always looking at the download speeds."

Hosts:

• Christine Cyr Clisset
• Kyra Blackwell
• Rosie Guerin

Producer: Rosie Guerin
Engineering Support: Matty Mazziello, Nick Pittman
Executive Producer: Rosie Guerin
Mixed by: Katherine Anderson
Original Music By: Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Alicia But Itup, Diane Wong
Wirecutter’s Deputy Publisher and Interim General Manager: Cliff Levy
Wirecutter’s Editor-in-Chief: Ben Fruman

Thank you for listening to The Wirecutter Show. For more expert advice and product recommendations, visit nytimes.com/wirecutter.