OTS provides steps for evaluating your home internet connection quality, and resources for support when it affects participation in TU classes or meetings.
OTS provides steps for evaluating your home internet connection quality, and resources for support when it affects participation in TU classes or meetings.
The university does not provide direct support for home Internet issues. Please contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for assistance.
Test. Each of TU’s online meeting solutions has a built-in Internet connection quality testing function. We recommend testing these services as they will provide estimations aligned with the specific online meeting experience. Test a service using these links, and follow up with your ISP if you discover any issues:
You can also test your general internet speed.
Compare your results against the internet speed you should be getting from your provider. Keep in mind, 3 mbps download/3 mbps upload speed of sustained dedicated connectivity is needed for participation in online courses. Higher sustained upload and download Internet connection speeds may upgrade your video and audio quality and the number of people in your household that videoconference/stream at the same time.
Evaluate. If you’re getting the correct speeds to your home but your connections still seem slow, it’s could be an issue with your home network. It might be that your internet connection can’t hold up to your whole family suddenly getting online at the same time. It might also be because your equipment is outdated. Here are recommendations to address the issue:
Home Internet: Look up your zip code on a site such as Broadband Now. OTS doesn’t recommend a specific ISP, so research options to find the one that best suits your needs. Be sure to check for low income, student, and/or military discounts that might apply to you.
Hotspots: Most providers have mobile hotspots available, in addition to home Internet. Visit mobile phone provider websites, or contact them directly for pricing, plan, and support details.
Use your phone to connect to online meetings: use the Zoom, WebEx, or Blackboard apps to reconnect. Meeting invites typically contains phone numbers so you can hear the audio. You can also try travelling to a location that offers public Wi-Fi, rebooting your modem/router, or calling your Internet Service Provider.
Follow these home router recommendations: