Internet Requirements For Remote Work

Nothing gives remote workers anxiety like a poor internet connection does…

And it's not just developing countries that have these issues. Sometimes wifi and poor 4G/5G coverage issues occur in the most unlikely places - ahem UK

Slow internet speeds can lead to this…

If you're considering working remotely, you must ensure you have access to a reliable internet connection with sufficient speed to support your work activities. Well, durrr right?!

But what exactly does ‘good internet’ look like?

Internet Speed 101

Internet speed is typically measured in Mbps (megabits per second), which refers to the amount of data that can be downloaded or uploaded per second.

Download speed is the rate at which data is transferred from the Internet to your device, while upload speed is the rate at which data is transferred from your device to the Internet.

Generally speaking, most remote workers will need at least 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed to work effectively. However, you may need higher speeds if you frequently upload large files, attend video calls, or stream high-quality video.

Here are some general guidelines on the internet speed required for different remote work tasks:

• Web browsing and email: For basic web browsing and email, a speed of 1-5 Mbps should be sufficient.
• Video conferencing: For video conferencing apps like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams, a speed of at least 3-5 Mbps is recommended for high-quality video calls. If you're in a group call or sharing your screen, you may need higher speeds.
• File sharing and cloud services: If you need to frequently upload or download large files or use cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive, you'll need higher speeds of at least 10-20 Mbps.
• Streaming: If you stream videos frequently as a job task, you'll need higher speeds of at least 10-25 Mbps, depending on the quality of the content. For 4K streaming, you'll need speeds of at least 25 Mbps.
• VPN: If you use a VPN (virtual private network) for work, you'll need higher speeds to ensure a reliable connection. Aim for speeds of at least 10-20 Mbps.

Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines, and your internet speed needs may vary depending on your specific work requirements and the number of people using the internet at your location.

Here's a quick trick on how you can check your wifi/internet speed wherever you are: simply type into Google “internet speed” and let Google do the usual magic.

Now that you have run a speed test at home and determined your wifi is good enough, ready to get that remote job?

YES! HELP ME GET A REMOTE JOB!

Stay rebellious,

Michelle

*This week's article is credited to Maddie Irwin

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