Source: @thomasjsn
If you want to be a successful home worker there are a few basics you need to get right. Having a good, reliable broadband service is one of them.
As well as making sure you can rely on fast and glitch-free internet, you need to think about the backup plans in place should you have any connection issues. Here are a few tips on how to get your home office set up for a stress-free workday.
Do I need fibre broadband to work from home?
For even the most basic of home uses, an entry-level fibre broadband connection of 30Mbps+ is the recommended minimum. ADSL can handle video calls, emails and downloading small files, but it doesn’t take much for things to grind to a halt, especially if you’re sharing the connection with other members of your family.
When you’re working from home, and if you have multiple users on the account, it’s worth getting a faster 50Mbps+ connection. This is particularly important if you regularly download or upload large files.
What can I do if I can't get a Wi-Fi signal in my office?
If you’re struggling to get a decent speed in your home office, you’ll need to consider extending your network. There are a few options available to fix this issue:
Extending your network wires - It’s a fast and reliable method but does involve a fair bit of DIY, so you may need to pay for specialist assistance.
Getting a Wi-Fi booster - It’s the cheapest option but won’t provide much of a speed boost. If your walls are thick, or you work in a garden office away from the house, you may need to rely on an external, outdoor-rated booster.
Installing Mesh Wi-Fi - This is an expensive solution but it’s a very effective way to spread Wi-Fi through the home. As with a booster, you might require an outdoor mesh node to receive a good signal in your office.
Opting for a Powerline Network Adapter - This is an easy way to create a wired network, but the results can be unreliable. It’s unlikely to work if your office is on a separate power circuit.
Get your office its own broadband using 4G or 5G - If you can make use of an unlimited data plan this is a quick solution, plus you’ll have your own dedicated connection. You can get speedy results providing you have a good mobile signal.
What should I do if my broadband goes down?
Broadband connection issues can happen without warning, but the key thing is to be prepared and have a backup plan in place.
Your first task is to report the outage to your service provider. They might be able to give you more information and they usually have a system in place for this. You could even be awarded compensation.
Tethering your smartphone is handy in an emergency. You may not be able to carry out data-intensive tasks if you’re not on an unlimited contract, but you’ll be able to browse and email easily.
You could also invest in a backup option using mobile broadband and a dongle. Some providers, including BT and Vodafone, offer deals with bundled broadband backup included.
Failing all of that, unless you’re very rural, it’s likely there’s a public Wi-Fi hotspot close by (even if you do have to pay for a coffee for the privilege).
Take the time today to think about your home set-up, whether it can be improved and if you have a good back-up strategy in place. When it comes to working from home time is money. A bit of research now could save you a lot of stress when you least need it.
Written in collaboration with Broadband.co.uk.