If your internet slowed down as soon as you decked out your home for the holidays, there could be a simple culprit: Christmas lights.
According to a new report from the British communications regulator Ofcom, Wi-Fi speed can be affected by interference from electronic devices, like microwaves, baby monitors, treadmills, and even Christmas lights.
Ofcom released the report in conjunction with a new app, the Ofcom Wi-Fi Checker, that gauges the quality of an internet connection and provides trouble-shooting tips. “Mobile and broadband have become the fourth essential service, alongside gas, electricity and water,” said Ofcom Chief Executive Sharon White in a press release. “There’s been a technological revolution over recent years, with 4G mobile and superfast continuing to extend across the country.”