Using Christmas lights can degrade the quality of Wi-Fi connection

The location of the Wi-Fi router and the electrical devices in one's house could potentially make the Internet connection weaker, according to a communications regulator in the UK. The router should be placed as far away as possible from devices such as Christmas lights, microwave ovens and fluorescent lights, which have been known to affect the quality of Wi-Fi connection.

The warning comes from a press release from the UK regulator Ofcom, which has just unveiled a new Wi-Fi checker app for smartphones. Ofcom discussed in a statement the effect of devices using electromagnetic spectrum such as radio waves, microwaves, visible light and radiation.

Wireless networks commonly have frequencies of 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) microwave radio spectrum. This is much weaker compared with a big FM transmitter.

FM radio stations can use 100 Megahertz or 100,000,000 waves per second, while wireless networks use 2.4 GHz or 2,400,000,000 waves per second, requiring greater power to cover a similar distance. The use of huge power means much weaker radio waves, according to Andrew Smith, a senior lecturer in Networking at The Open University.

Domestic Wi-Fi signal could only reach a maximum of 100 metres, while FM stations are capable of reaching 10 kilometres and beyond. Thicker walls and home electronics can all affect the lower-powered, high frequency Wi-Fi radio waves.

Most Christmas lights are designed with unshielded wires, having no radio frequency insulation to block the electromagnetic effects of power cables to radio-based devices, such as Wi-Fi routers.

However, Smith noted that it would take a large volume of lights to fully degrade an Internet connection. “In fact, you would have to be lighting up your tree like a small sun – which perhaps some of you are planning,” he said in an article published in The Conversation.

However, the location of the Wi-Fi router inside the house could still have an effect. “Hiding it under a tin can inside a cupboard insulated with tin foil will ruin your Facebook fun. As will decorating your wireless device with holly and fairy lights,” Smith said.

Ofcom suggested keeping routers away from halogen lamps, electrical dimmer switches, stereo or computer speakers, fairy lights, TVs and monitors and AC power cords. These electrical devices or materials have been known to cause interference to routers.

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