How To Choose The Right Internet Speed For Your Home Office
We’ve all experienced the aftermath of the global outbreak of the Coronavirus, which is why more and more people move from their workplace to working from their home office. However, depending on your job, as well as the needs you have, your Internet service might not be suitable for you.
This is why you might now be wondering – how could I opt for a suitable Internet speed for my home office and what do I have to consider? Luckily for all individuals that are wondering the same thing, the article below will shed some light on the entire topic. So, without further ado, let’s look at what you must consider:
Before Anything Else – Choose Between Fiber, Cable, and DSL
Before you can consider anything else from this list, you should choose between cable, DSL, and fiber Internet connections. All of which will have reliable speed and response time, however, there are some differences between the three options, so, you’ll need to learn more about them:
Cable – if you can get cable TV, you can also get cable Internet, which is why this option is, perhaps, the most popular one. Since it utilizes a coaxial cable that’ll deliver your channels, you can expect it to be reliable. But, this means that you’ll be sharing the wires with other people, which can sometimes slow the connection down. Nonetheless, it’ll still be fast most of the time, and most providers offer packages with speeds going to 100 MBPS.
DSL – or digital subscriber line provider the Internet by utilizing phone lines. To guarantee that it’s reliable, you must have a connection that is only your, meaning that your speed won’t be influenced by other people. When talking about the rate, it’s isn’t as fast as the other options, which also why it’s probably less expensive. Depending on where you live, the closer your house is to the provider, the better your connection will be.
Fiber – this is the newest Internet option other and similarly to DSL, it’s set up as a connection that you won’t share with other individuals. However, there is one drawback that you should know about – it’ll require new infrastructure, which means that it might not be available to you. The speed is incredibly fast and can go beyond 1.000 MBPS, and the price will vary, which is why you can see this list of the fastest internet provider options out there.
Think About How You’ll Use it + Will Other People Use it?
When it comes to determining which speed works for you, you must determine how you’ll use it, mostly because different speeds provide you with different options. However, you’ll also need to consider how many individuals living in your residence will also connect to it, the rates are all in MBPS, and you could choose one of the following options:
- 5 – that supports 1 to 2 connections and is suitable for browsing the net, researching, and sending emails,
- 25 – that supports 3 to 5 connections and is suitable for downloading large files and work communication,
- 75 – that supports 5 to 10 connections and is suitable for streaming movies, sharing files, and completing POS transactions,
- 150 – that supports 10 to 15 connections and is suitable for cloud services, backing up data, and conferences,
- 250 – that supports hosting a server, streaming, and conferencing,
- 500 to 1.000 – that supports literally everything and is suitable for 20 to 30+ connections.
Of course, you probably don’t have 30 people living with you, nonetheless, depending on your work tasks, you might need a powerful connection. Hence, depending on the things you need to do and the requirements you have, one of the aforementioned options is probably suitable for your home office.
Check The Contract Terms
If you figured out the two things mentioned above, you’re not done yet, there are still things that you need to check. For starters, you must check the contract terms. In most situations, the providers will require you to sign a one-year contract, however, there are some that offer month-to-month agreements.
Besides this, you must ensure that you know everything there is about the deal you’re getting. So, for example, some companies charge you a fee for canceling the service before the contract is up or when you change providers, which is exactly why you need to learn the contract terms
Look at Some Bundle Services
There might be some companies that you can find, all of which will provide you with a reliable, but limited deal for you using the net, TV channels, and telephone. However, you should check and see if, for example, your TV provider offers you a discounted price if you choose to add one more of their services – the Internet.
By doing so, you might be capable of getting a reliable connection, but for a discounted price, which implies that you could actually save a lot of money during the duration of the promotional period. Keep in mind, not all TV providers offer these services, so check your option before getting excited.
Compare The Features And Add-Ons You Can Get
You should know that some organizations might provide you with, for example, a completely free Wi-Fi router, while others might need you to purchase your own equipment. Some of them could also offer you free backup services that you could use for your business, while others might offer you free antivirus software.
Keep in mind, when you’re comparing everything there is about the services, you should also include the expenses you’ll have for the hardware, programs, and services you require. By doing this, you can ensure that you choose properly, and more importantly, that the net you choose suits your necessities.
Conclusion
If you have transferred to working from your home, one of the most important things that you probably need to ensure is to choose a reliable and fast Internet connection. And, by using the tips we mentioned above, you’ll be able to opt for an option that suits your needs and requirements.
So, now that you’re aware of all the things you must think about, you really shouldn’t lose any more of your free time. Instead, open up your browser, and start searching for an Internet provider that’ll provide you with the services, tools, and equipment you need for your home office.