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What broadband speed do I need to work from home?

6th September 2023

If you’re one of the increasing number of people working from home, you’ve probably found out there’s a key player that can make or break your experience: your broadband. These days, a dependable internet connection for work is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. In this guide we’ll delve into the world of broadband speeds, shed light on the benefits of a full fibre connection, and help you make an informed choice that ensures future work-from-home experiences run like a dream.

Person Working From Home On Full Fibre Broadband

Why does broadband speed matter for remote work?

Imagine this: You’re in the middle of an important video conference with your team, discussing key project updates. Suddenly, your screen freezes, and you’re left with audio that sounds more like morse code than speech. Frustrating, right? That’s where broadband speed comes into play.

High-quality video conferencing, seamless file sharing, cloud-based applications, and uninterrupted email communication—all of these depend on a swift and reliable broadband connection. Slow speeds and intermittent connectivity can not only disrupt your workflow mojo but can also hinder the quality of your interactions or appear unprofessional.

 

Understanding broadband speed:

Broadband speed refers to the rate at which data travels between your device and the internet. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps or Mb/s) and determines how quickly you can download, upload, stream, and carry out online tasks. As you can imagine, your required broadband speed for home working depends on the nature of your job and the number of devices connected to your network.

 

Minimum broadband speeds:

For standard tasks like checking emails, browsing websites, and participating in video calls, a speed of around 10-20 Mb/s is usually sufficient. However, if your work involves more data-intensive activities like video conferencing, large file transfers, connecting to VPNs, or multimedia production, you should aim for higher speeds. To ensure a practical experience, a speed of 30-50 Mb/s is recommended. It’s worth noting; If you’re sharing bandwidth in a busy home, that’s the demand for just one device. Do you know what broadband speeds you get, or are supposed to get? Run a speed test and find out!

 

Where does broadband speed really make a difference?

While a good broadband speed is beneficial for all remote work scenarios, certain activities and industries demand higher bandwidth than others:

  • Video conferencing: Virtual meetings and video calls require consistent high-speed connections for smooth video and audio quality. You don’t want to miss out on valuable discussions due to buffering and lag.
  • Large file transfers: Sending and receiving large files, whether they’re design mock-ups, presentations, or data sets, demands a strong connection to manage quick and efficient transfers.
  • Online collaboration: If your work involves collaborating on cloud-based platforms, real-time editing, and file sharing, a faster connection guarantees seamless teamwork.
  • Creative work: Graphic designers, video editors, photographers and content creators rely on high-speed broadband for uploading and downloading large media files, and working on cloud-based apps.

 

Benefits of full fibre broadband:

When it comes to working from home, opting for a full fibre broadband connection can be a game-changer. Unlike traditional copper-based connections, full fibre uses hyperfast fibre-optic cables to deliver data. So, let’s look at why you should consider making the switch:

  • Consistent performance: With full fibre, your broadband connection is less susceptible to slowdowns during peak hours. Whether it’s early morning or late at night, you’ll enjoy consistent speeds, critical for uninterrupted work sessions.
  • Blazing fast speeds: Giganet full fibre offers speeds of up to 900Mb/s. Share large files in seconds, stream 4K content without buffering, and video conference in high definition with zero lag – all at the same time. In comparison, copper-based connections have a maximum speed of just 80Mb/s, which is over 11 times slower than full fibre’s maximum.
  • Reliability: Some traditional copper connections have been in the ground since the 1930s and are susceptible to poor weather conditions and physical damage. Full fibre cables are far more robust, ensuring a stable and reliable connection, even in adverse weather.
  • Low latency: Full fibre’s low latency ensures minimal delay in data transmission. This is essential for smooth video conferencing, online collaboration, and real-time interactions, not forgetting those cheeky lunchtime gaming sessions.

 

Choosing the right plan:

When selecting a full fibre broadband plan for remote working, remember to consider your specific needs. If you’re the sole user and engage in light tasks, our 150Mb/s plan could be ideal. For households with users making data-heavy demands from multiple devices, a 500Mb/s or 900Mb/s package might be more suitable.

With full fibre broadband from Giganet, you’re not just connected—you’re empowered. Elevate your remote working game by choosing a plan that matches your needs. Check your postcode to learn more and make the switch today.