The working day has overwhelmingly changed for so many people since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. From a recent survey conducted by the Office of National Statistics in January 2022, 36% of working adults reported working from home at least once in the last seven days.
For remote or hybrid workers, productivity is essential and being required to stay online and in touch with fellow colleagues is crucial. Having a reliable, fast broadband connection isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity.
Is my broadband fast enough for working from home?
If your work consists of modest online tasks such as web browsing or emailing you might be able to get by on a download speed of 10Mbps (the average ADSL speed). But if you’re sharing your connection with others at home or using your broadband for more data-intensive reasons, such as downloading large files, video conferencing or streaming high-definition video, you might find this a struggle.
A fibre connection of 30Mbps+ is the recommended minimum speed requirement for anyone setting up a new broadband contract. Plenty of different internet providers offer these entry-level deals at an affordable price.
If you’re unsure how fast your current connection is, or if you suspect your broadband isn’t up to scratch, you can run a speed test. If you find your speed is much slower than advertised, and you’re not still tied into a contract, it may be time to look at getting an upgrade.
Switching broadband isn’t a difficult task. It’s quick and easy to do and makes sure you’re never paying over the odds for a service that’s no longer appropriate for your needs.
How do I upgrade my broadband?
If you’re looking to upgrade your broadband, you may find there are faster or more appropriate deals available from your current provider. This would be the easiest option as it wouldn’t involve any switchover date and so there would be no disruption to your working day.
But it’s also worth using a broadband comparison service, such as broadband.co.uk to see the other options available to you. Because the broadband market is a competitive one, you’re most likely to save money by switching providers (though you’ll need to be out of contract to avoid any unwanted cancellation fees).
If I want to upgrade my broadband, will my employer cover the cost?
Claiming expenses on your broadband will be down to your individual employer. Some workplaces have started to offer help with the cost of working from home or pay a set-up bonus as a work perk, but it’s not guaranteed. You may also be able to claim a proportion of your internet and phone use as a business expense for tax purposes.
I can’t get the Wi-Fi to reach my home office, what are my options?
If you’re struggling to get a reliable speed in your home office, it may be that your Wi-Fi network needs some attention. There are several ways to try and fix this issue:
Using a Wi-Fi booster – A cheap and easy fix but you may find you don’t get much of a performance enhancement. If you work in a garden office, you will also have to consider purchasing an outdoor-rated device.
Installing Mesh Wi-Fi – A more reliable and effective way to distribute the Wi-Fi signal around your home, but also potentially expensive. Again, you would need to pay for outdoor-rated hardware if you are trying to improve speeds away from your main building.
Powerline Networking – This is an easy way to create a wired network, but the results aren’t always reliable. It’s unlikely to work if your office is on a separate power circuit.
Wired network – An Ethernet network is a very fast and trustworthy option, but you’ll need to run cables to your office. If they’re outside, these cables will have to be armoured for protection. If you’re a confident DIYer it’s possible to achieve this yourself but you may find it easier to hire a professional.
Do I need a broadband backup?
Broadband outages aren’t too common, but when it hits you out of the blue it can be a frustrating experience. A recent report found in the last 12 months since June 2022, nearly 11 million people were affected by an internet outage lasting longer than three hours.
To avoid your working day being completely disrupted it’s worth thinking about a back-up strategy. Get familiar with your mobile phone and learn how to use your device’s hotspot tethering features. If you have a reasonable data allowance on your mobile plan, this should allow you to carry out basic tasks. Failing that, take the time to scout out nearby coffee shops or libraries with free Wi-Fi for emergencies.
For extra peace of mind, some providers now offer deals with bundled broadband back-up included.
Alternatively, you can purchase a fall-back mobile broadband dongle. This will come at an extra cost, as you might have to pay an additional monthly contract for a SIM or top up with Pay-As-You-Go credit. And if you choose PAYG, be prepared to keep having to add credit every so often to keep the SIM act