A fast and stable internet connection is central to any successful work-from-home experience. Unfortunately, many people deal with slow internet connection at home, making it difficult to be productive or meet work deadlines. A recent study shows that approximately 19 million people in America alone can’t access fixed broadband service at a minimum threshold speed of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. Many other studies show that remote workers are dissatisfied with their internet speed. Despite these challenges, here are some internet tips to maximize your work-from-home experience.
1. Run an internet test speed
Running an internet test speed is a helpful first step and can guide you in what to do next. This test is super easy to do and doesn’t take anything more than 30 minutes. After running a Google search for “What is my internet speed?”, the result will be displayed at the top of your search. Click the blue “Run Speed Test” button to see your download and upload speeds. Doing this gives you an idea of your internet speed during your search. This way, should you experience a slow connection when working, you can check your download or upload speed from your test to know where the problem may be coming from.
2. Upgrade to faster internet
While you may try different tricks to improve your internet speed, sometimes your connection is just too slow to sustain your internet consumption. If that’s your problem, upgrading to a faster internet plan is best. Of course, the best internet options or plans will depend on where you live and your preferred service provider. For example, options like Xfinity Internet, Google Fiber, and Verizon Fios Home are worth considering in the US. Additionally, if you are located in remote regions of Australia for example, you can upgrade to or opt for NBN plans.
3. Boost your signal to Work From Home With Slow Internet
Perhaps you’re receiving a poor signal from your router or Wi-Fi device, causing the slow internet. You can easily check this on the device’s signal icon to see the number of active bars. Just like your smartphone signal, you have a poor signal if you notice fewer network bars. Walls, distance, and even appliances like microwaves can cause a low internet signal.
You can invest in a router booster if you use a router extender. That can easily improve your internet connection at home without needing to move close to your router daily. You can also consider adding a router antenna to your device.
4. Review your coverage area and reposition your access point
Sometimes your slow connection is only a result of the positioning of your router. As indicated, walls, distance, and some appliances can interfere with your connection, so you need to find a place with as few obstructions as possible. Ideally, you should place your router in a central location in your home, where it has a line of access or sight to all the rooms in your home (if you need access to all your rooms). But you can also invest in a router or Wi-Fi system with multiple access points. This way, you can easily extend coverage throughout your house and not worry about slow connection.
Recap: Work From Home With Slow Internet
Working from home is amazing but can be hard with slow internet speeds. Use these tips to see if they work for you.
