The Best Internet for Working from Home: What to Look For
If you work from home, you probably know that aside from great productivity tools, you also need the best internet for working from home.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best internet for working from home. Some important things to consider are the type of internet connection, the download and upload speeds, and the reliability of the ISP.
Ultimately, the best internet for working from home will depend on the type of work you do and your online activities. Research different ISPs in your area and compare them to find the one that best meets your needs. Keep reading to learn what you need when doing your research!
1. Fiber Internet
You can choose between various types of internet connection, such as cable internet, fiber internet, DSL, dial-up internet, and satellite internet. We recommend fiber internet because it’s one of the most reliable types of internet, thus perfect for working from home.
Fiber optic cables are made of high-quality glass or plastic and can send data at very high speeds over long distances. Additionally, fiber internet is not as susceptible to interference as other internet connection types, such as cable or DSL.
2. An Internet Service with No Data Caps
Many ISPs provide internet plans with data caps, meaning that you’ll only receive a limited amount of data per month. If you work from home and rely on the internet for tasks such as video conferencing, file sharing, and online collaboration, you’ll up going over your monthly data caps. In that case, ISPs can charge you additional fees or roll over the data surplus to the next billing period.
The best internet for working from home has no data caps. Typically, most fiber internet plans come without them, meaning you can use as much data as you need without worrying about exceeding a limit. After all, you don’t only use the internet for working from home. You probably also use it in the evening to stream high-definition videos to unwind, for example.
3. High Download & Upload Speeds
The best internet for working from home also needs to be fast. While you might get away with lower speeds, we recommend 50-100 Mbps download speed per remote worker. You may need more bandwidth if multiple people work from home on the same internet connection. More devices and users can strain your internet connection, potentially slowing down your connection and reducing productivity.
Additionally, if your work requires you to transfer large files and have video calls, you need to consider upload speeds. Your best bet is to choose an internet plan with symmetrical speeds, meaning the download speeds equal upload speeds. If you’d prefer to stick with asymmetrical speed, you should aim to get at least 10 Mbps upload speed.
4. Reliability of Customer Service
If your internet keeps disconnecting or cuts out completely, you’ll appreciate having an ISP that can answer your questions and help you troubleshoot if necessary. Therefore, when choosing an ISP, you need to consider the quality of customer service on top of internet speeds and budget.
Here’s how to choose an ISP with great customer service:
- Read online reviews on third-party websites, such as Google Reviews or Yelp
- Ask your friends, family, and others who live in your community
- See on the ISP’s website if they have a dedicated customer support team
Ultimately, the best way to figure out if an ISP has good customer service is to try it for yourself. If you have an issue with your internet service, see how responsive and helpful the ISP’s customer support team is. And if you’re working from home, they better be responsive.
5. A Home Network Management App
Today, many ISPs are helping their subscribers create the best home networks by supplying more than just the internet. In addition to the basics, they offer features that ensure higher cybersecurity and more autonomy over home WiFi.
For example, our internet services at Race come with the Race CommandIQ app . Inside the app, users can do speed tests, set up parental controls, and much more. Features that can be particularly useful for remote workers are the ability to set up guest WiFi networks and Quality of Service (QoS).
A Guest WiFi Network
The best internet for working from home separates your work and personal devices. That’s why you should consider setting up a guest network, a powerful cybersecurity measure that protects your home network from hackers and malware.
A guest WiFi network allows you to give visitors internet access without giving them access to information on your devices. This can help protect your home network (and, consequently, company data) from any potential security threats that the guest devices may pose. It’s common practice to put smart home devices on guest networks too, as they’re often the entry point for hackers.
Quality of Service
Quality of Service (QoS) is a feature that allows you to prioritize certain types of internet traffic and distribute bandwidth where you need it most. If you have multiple devices on your home network that are all trying to use the internet at the same time, QoS ensures that certain types of traffic are given priority over other types of traffic.
For example, if you work from home and want to give priority to work-related internet traffic, QoS can be a helpful tool to give more bandwidth to video conferencing, while online gaming and streaming music get secondary priority.
6. A VPN
If you’re working from home and need to access your company’s network or sensitive data, using an encrypted connection is a good idea. This can help protect your data from hackers and other cyber threats.
One way to do this is to use a virtual private network (VPN), which encrypts your internet connection and creates a secure connection between your device and your company’s network. This can help prevent anyone from intercepting your data or gaining unauthorized access to your company’s network.
Using a VPN is especially important if you sometimes work in cafes with public WiFi that sees a lot of traffic and different users. Public networks are the most susceptible to cyberattacks, so turn the VPN on when you’re on the move.
The Best Internet for Working from Home: Key Takeaways
The internet plays a crucial role in remote work, so choosing a reliable and fast internet is important to ensure smooth communication and productivity.
This blog post identified six key factors you should consider if you’d like to have the best internet for working from home:
- Type of internet connection (fiber internet)
- An internet plan with no data caps
- High download and upload speed
- Reliable customer support
- Home network management features, such as guest WiFi network and Quality of Service
- A VPN
By choosing the right internet service provider, you can ensure that you have a smooth and productive work experience from the comfort of your home.
Race Communications provides fiber internet plans with no data caps and symmetrical speeds, topped with responsive customer support and the Race CommandIQ app. If you’re looking for the best internet for working from home, we’ve got you covered. See our services or call us at 877-722-3833.
