Wifi connectivity and quality is everything when it comes to video calls online. While location can sometimes take matters out of your hands regarding your ability to connect to the internet and stay connected, there are some simple steps you can take to maximise your bandwidth for a video call that doesn’t break up, get frozen, have a lengthy lag or repeatedly drop out.

1. Turn off all other apps using internet data in the background

Whether you’re at home or on a mobile device, most wifi connections have a set amount of data that can be transferred at any one time. Video calls require a significant amount of wifi availability to work effectively.  Turning off social media apps, other internet windows and other devices connected to the same wifi source while you’re on your video consult will help you maintain a clearer picture. 

2. Position yourself closer to the modem and avoid boosters

Many people have boosters to extend the reach of the internet throughout the home or office. Unfortunately the booster signal is usually weaker than the main wifi signal coming from the modem. Position yourself and your device to access the main modem wifi for a stronger signal and improve your video connectivity experience.

3. Use the best internet browser to connect your video call

You may use Safari (Apple) or Outlook (Windows)  for most web browsing activities because it’s automatically installed with your device on purchase. Unfortunately these two browser apps are not well suited to the best form of video technology, called webRTC. webRTC software provides end-to-end encryption and speed in video calls for a more superior, private and secure online video call experience. It’s necessary for all telehealth businesses to use this software to meet OAIC guidelines. 

There are two free-to-download web browsers that are excellent for use with webRTC video apps like Zoom (used by us here at ViDe). They can be used on mobile and desktop devices. Choose from:

• Firefox (Mozilla)

• Chrome (Google)

Download and install onto your devices before joining a video call and open the video link in these browsers to help improve the quality of your video consult experience.

4. For mobile devices access the video call through the dedicated app

Instead of a web browser, using an app often provides a better mobile use experience for most software applications, including video. ViDe is powered by Zoom so download the free Zoom app (iOS or Android) onto your mobile device before your consult time. When you open your video link on your mobile device it will automatically connect within the Zoom app for a dedicated video channel. 

5. Test your internet speed

Although Australia is progressively switching to NBN for wifi that guarantees an internet speed acceptable for video calls, not everybody is there yet. At a minimum an internet upload speed of 0.25Mb/s, 0.7Mb/s or better is recommended. A minimum download speed of 0.8Mb/s, 1.1Mb/s or better is recommended. A latency or ping of less than 150 milliseconds is needed to have a successful video call. You can test your connection speed here. If your internet is not up to speed (excuse the pun!), talk to your service provider about options to improve your service.

6. If all else fails switch off video and keep audio turned on

If you’ve done all the above but for whatever reason you’re still experiencing problems, all video apps have the ability to work with just audio and no video by the flick of a simple button. Play around with the video app before your consult time so you’re familiar with how to quickly turn video off if needed.  

By Dr Christine May Principal Dentist of ViDe Virtual Dental Australia