Broadband Education

Interference from a power source generating interference in the frequencies used by a DSL broadband service can affect the stability and performance of the service. It can come from items such as baby monitors, older cordless phones and gadgets, microwave ovens and even old TVs, LED lighting, solar panel inverters, and can even come from any of your neighbour’s locations up to a few hundred metres away. Your neighbour’s gateway could also cause interference on your DSL and other broadband service if you are both using the same Wi-Fi channel.  These items mainly affect DSL services. Additionally, in-building wiring can be the source of interference for some FTTN services.

Common causes of possible interference with DSL systems

  • Solar Power Inverter
  • Power supply for Laptop or similar
  • LCD monitor
  • Power supply in Computer
  • Mobile phone charger
  • Charging devices
  • Television set top boxes, including pay TV and Satellite
  • Video Player
  • Television
  • Lighting, both fluorescent and LED
  • Lighting dimmer switches
  • Christmas or display lighting
  • Fax Machine or Printer
  • Masthead amplifier (TV signal booster)
  • Powerline telecommunications devices

Street lighting interference
Street lighting interference will generally affect a large number of homes. The interference starts when the street lighting turns on or coincides with it turning on and off during the day or night.

What to do
Report to your electricity provider.

Further reference on managing interference onDSL services is available here.