14 December 2007
Advice for UK customers to maintain their broadband connections over the festive period has been issued by provider PlusNet.
According to the broadband firm, slower connection speeds might be found by their customers over Christmas - and often for somewhat surprising reasons.
Extra electricity use can have a direct impact on communications connections, PlusNet said - with washing machines turned on for visitors, microwaves on full blast to help cook extra meals and even the power use from Christmas lights all making an impact.
Moreover, stormy winter weather can displace phone lines carrying broadband connections - and the early turning-on of street lights from the dark evenings can also cause phone line interference.
Products and Marketing Director at PlusNet Neil Armstrong said: "While we expect home internet use to be widespread over Christmas, customers could possibly see some issues if several of these factors converge.
"The broadband connection does not stand alone and is inextricably linked to other elements in and around the home - that's why any internet user, regardless of their service provider, may experience disruption due to uncontrollable factors."
He added: "We feel it's important to let customers know what these factors are and what they can do to minimise the negative impact they have."
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