Choose the Right Mbps for a Smooth Work from Home

Most office desks and clerical works require a stable internet connection. Other jobs like marketers, designers, accounting professionals, programmers, etc. also need the Internet to manage client communication. A high-speed internet ensures that you get enough bandwidth to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. The remaining data of your WiFi plan can be used for watching movies, downloading games, live streaming, etc.

Now, you may be thinking about how muchinternet speed is needed for a seamless work-from-home experience. Allow me to put this straight for you. Thenetwork speed must be fast enough to manage your daily tasks. Also, it must allow you to engage in video calls, live streaming, and other activities without any lags.

Thebroadband speed requirements may vary as per your job profile. If you are a digital marketer who needs to manage ads, publish posts, and give video presentations, you may need faster internet. However, if you only need the internet for email communication, you may do with a basicinternet speed.

Through this article, we will understand how to figure out the right speed for a hassle-free work-from-home experience. You will also get some tips on how to amp up the speed of your broadband plan.

What should be my internet speed for remote work?

Officemates can access the dedicated network of their company. On the other hand, remote workers do not have this luxury. They manage their routine tasks with the home WiFi connection. Also, their family members use the same connection for watching TV, playing games, and other stuff. The productivity of remote workers hampers in such situations due to slowinternet speed.

Therefore, remote workers should always get some extranetwork speed to enjoy uninterrupted internet access. Before that, they must evaluate their internet requirements by going through all the tasks they use the internet for. The below table shows the tentativeinternet speeds required for various activities:

The above table suggests the need for higherinternet speed for data-intensive tasks. Yet, if you do not play online games or stream 4K videos, you may not require a high-speedbroadband plan.

You may not need the fastest WiFi connection for handling your remote work. However, you must consider other factors like connectivity issues, after-sale services, security features, etc. while choosing a WiFi plan. You should also be aware of the internet connection type you choose.

For instance, a 5G-enabled mobile internet can also provide you with speeds up to 1000 Mbps. Yet, thenetwork speeds will drop during peak hours and you may face issues like network congestion. The limited data available with mobile data plans means that you won’t be able to sustain the speeds for long.

DSL and satellite connection may provide you with speeds up to 100 Mbps or even more. While satellite connection won’t be stable during hostile weather conditions, the DSL connection may be interfered with and your data may be at risk.

The best option is to get afibre internet plan. A fibre-optic network uses light pulses to transmit data from one point to another. It is difficult to intercept light signals and therefore, it adds an extra layer of security. As the fibre-optic lines are dug into the ground, the speeds do not fluctuate according to weather conditions. Also, you will easily get speeds up to 1 Gbps with this connection.

Factors that can affect your network speed

The speed of your internet connection depends on various factors. Here are some key factors that determine yourinternet speed:

1. Connection type

The type of internet connection you have can also determine yournetwork speed. For instance, a dial-up connection is slower than a fibrebroadband internet plan. Similarly, a WiFi connection will be slower as compared to an internet cable that is directly plugged into your device.

2. Number of Users

If more people use the same network, it will slow during peak hours. So, if you plan to use the internet for remote work, ensure that it is not shared with multiple users.

3. Equipment

The condition and version of the equipment also determine yournetwork speed. If you use an outdated router, it will reduce yourbroadband speed. To avoid this, use the latest equipment which is updated with the latest firmware version.

4. Location of the router

The location of the router can also affect yournetwork speeds. If you use the internet from a place that is away from the router, you may get a slower speed. To avoid this issue, place the router in a central location of your house. Also, avoid any blockages like walls or furniture so that the router sends uninterrupted WiFi signals across the house.

5. Bandwidth configuration

Usually, a router allows you to set a bandwidth of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz for your devices. The 2.4 GHz bandwidth is often used to get a longer range whereas the 5 GHz provides faster speeds. You can also use a dual bandwidth to get properinternet speed for all your digital devices.

6. Download and upload speeds

The speed with which the data travels from a server to your digital device is referred to as download speed. Upload speed means the speed with which the data travels from your device to the server. Download speeds are crucial while downloading movies, streaming videos, and connecting multiple devices. With higher upload speeds you can stream live, upload large files, participate in video conferencing, etc. without any hassles.

Due to these reasons, you must check the upload and download speeds you get with yourbroadband plan. Afibre internet plan offers symmetric upload and download speeds. It can help you to complete your routine work without any disturbances.

How to choose the best internet to work from home?

Gather enough information about different types of internet connections first. Once you get these details, find the ISPs (Internet Service Providers) that provide these connections in your area. Compare theirbroadband plans and features to find the best ISP in your area.

Remote work is mostly managed over Slack, Skype, Google Meet, Zoom, and other communication apps. Therefore, you must know theinternet speed required for these apps irrespective of your nature of work. The below table shows thenetwork speed that is required for using these communication apps:

The above table suggests that you do not need a high-speed internet connection for basic communication. So, if your work does not require you to upload or download large files, speeds of up to 25 Mbps will be good enough. However, the chances that you will use the internet only for work are less. You might also want to download movies, HD games, videos, and entertainment apps. To complete and engage in these tasks, you will need aninternet speed of at least 100 Mbps or more.

Also, having surplusnetwork speed will only help you to complete your work on time. It will improve your productivity and efficiency at work. Many of us have to sustain peer competition in our field or area of work. Even our colleagues compete with us to get salary hikes and promotions. In this case, a standard internet connection may not be of great help. Instead, you should go for a fiber internet connection that offers decent speeds along with other value-added features.

Here are a few things that you can expect from a Fibernetbroadband plan:

1. Uninterrupted speeds

With a Fibernet internet plan, you can enjoy a seamless and uninterrupted speed. Thenetwork speed won’t decline even if you connect multiple devices with your router. Choose plans that offerinternet speed of up to 1 Gbps and enjoy uninterrupted internet access even with multiple users.

2. Consistency

The main advantage of using afibre internet service is its consistency. Your connection won’t be slow during weather changes. Similarly, factors like distance, blockages, peak time, etc. won’t affect yournetwork speed. Due to this, you can complete your daily work without any issues.

3. Value-added services

Fibernet connections may seem to be more costly than other connection types. However, some ISPs offer many value-added services with theirbroadband plans.

For example, ACT Fibernet offers access to Disney+Hostar, Zee5, SonyLiv, Netflix, and other OTT platforms at no extra cost. It also provides seamless access to over 300 live TV channels. Such value-added services save money and offer multiple entertainment options along with high-speed internet.

4. Secure

It is difficult to tap into Fibernet connections. Therefore, they are safer as compared to traditional internet connection types. Also, ISPs like ACT Fibernet offer security software like ACT Shield at a nominal charge. ACT Shield protects from viruses, malware, spyware, trojans, and ransomware. It also comes with features like child-safe browsing which allows you to restrict your children from accessing harmful content.

Also, you can offer security to multiple devices using this security application. Features like find-my-device and secured internet transactions make it an attractive and feasible option for remote workers.

5. Reliability

With afibre internet connection, you get reliable speeds around the clock. You can opt for a Fibernet plan from an ISP that offers excellent customer support. It will allow you to seek technical help whenever you face any downtime or latency issues.

6. High-speed connection with unlimited data

Speeds of up to 1 Gbps along with the choice to pick unlimited plans make Fibernet services the best option for remote work. You can use as much data as required for handling your work. You may even watch HD movies, stream in 4K quality, and enjoy playing high-resolution games without worrying about the data cap.

Those users who choose limited data plans should use data usage trackers. Any excessive internet usage may incur additional charges which will increase your monthly internet bill.

Tips to improve network speed

If you have subscribed to a high-speedbroadband internet connection but are still struggling with speed issues, you can do the following things:

• Check the position of your router and change it if required.
• Restart the router and check whether the speed is restored.
• Use a WiFi extender to get betterbroadband speed in your work area.
• Change the bandwidth channel to 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz as per the requirement.
• Contact the technical support team and report the issues that you are facing.
• Do not indulge in unnecessary activity during work hours.
• Limit your WiFi usage to a few users during work hours.
• Turn off auto-sync on your mobile apps to avoid unnecessary usage of bandwidth.

Conclusion

The article discusses how to optimiseinternet speed for getting a seamless work-from-home experience. Conduct a speed test to check whether your router offers enough speed. Consult your ISP to minimise the speed issues. If the issues persist, you can think of another service provider. Use the best fibre-optic network to avoid any lags or interferences while using the internet. ACT Fibernet offers reliable, secure, and super-fast internet at reasonable costs. Visit their website today to get acquainted with the latest deals and offers!