If you are taking the bold step of working from home, there are a lot of considerations for setting up your home office in a way that enables productivity. You need to minimize distractions and have the correct setup that will encourage you to get work done. But it’s all going to be for nothing if you don’t have a good broadband line to keep you connected. There’s virtually no home-based work that doesn’t require a strong internet connection.
Decide How Much Bandwidth You Need
Firstly, it’s important to know how much bandwidth you need for your particular type of work. You may need to stream video for a video conference; you will need a high bandwidth connection to allow for uninterrupted calling. You might only need to send the odd email. In that scenario, it’s not as important to have an especially huge allowance. You can check your current speed at SpeedCheck.org very easily.
Check How Many Devices You Will Be Using
Are you going to have a lot of devices connected? This will be the case if the broadband is for your family use as well as your own business work. If you are going to have only one user going online then it’s a good idea to use a mobile wireless way of connection to the internet such as the connection coming through your phone on the 4G network. You can even use a phone as a router to use with other devices, but be sure to check if this is allowed, as some cell phone contracts prohibit this.
Is Your Current Home Provider Enough?
Is your current home connection strong enough and reliable enough? This is a question tied to what we’ve talked about above. If you have carefully considered this and feel an upgrade is in need, then use a broadband comparison site to find the best new deal for your needs.
After assessing the strength and reliability of your current home connection, you can also consider finding the best internet provider in your area. This step ensures you make an informed decision tailored to your specific needs and location.
Do I Need Business Broadband to Work from Home?
Business broadband is always more expensive than a residential broadband connection, but just because you’re working from home, doesn’t mean you need to switch to a business package. The Business broadband offered by many ISPs is the same as residential broadband but may have tailored extras. Some service providers will prioritise internet traffic for business customers and, in the event of a broadband fault, it’s often fixed quicker than a residential line. If you choose a business broadband package, your broadband will come with a static IP address. You’ll need this if you plan to set up a dedicated VoIP office phone. So, do you need a business broadband connection? Most small home office users don’t need to waste money paying for a business package. If you need to order a static IP address, this can still be achieved with a standard home broadband bundle. Remember, the best broadband deals are offered to home users, not business customers. Additionally, consider exploring local providers for fiber internet options, as they may offer competitive packages suitable for small home offices.
What About Security?
When working from home, you will be required to have more intense online security than if you were just using the internet for personal use. It’s true that home-workers can be one of the biggest threats to data security in an organisation. It’s easy to make simple decisions that in one’s personal life would be no issue, but that can risk data security. For example, using online email like Gmail or file-sharing platforms like Dropbox won’t give the same security as dedicated business systems.
Does the Wi-Fi Router Have Enough Range?
If you are using a remote part of your home that is on the edge of the residence such as an extension or garage, you might struggle getting a decent signal from the WiFi router. It is possible to extend the signal; here are some of the best extenders around these days. It’s essential to make sure this is possible, as a flaky connection can really hurt your productivity and limit any advantages of home-working.
