
*Speeds are based on group calls at 1080p HD quality.Īs you can see, you don’t need a tremendous amount of bandwidth or speed to engage in common work-from-home activities. To support full connectivity, providers like Xfinity, AT&T, and Spectrum offer free WiFi hotspots to customers nationwide.īelow are estimates of the data and speed required for the most common remote work activities: Activity With no tie to a physical office, you have more freedom to take your work outdoors or to coffee shops for a change of scenery. Some WiFi providers offer free nationwide hotspots with their service – a nice perk to have as a remote worker. Symmetrical speeds are not required for efficient remote work, but you will notice a significant improvement in your video calls and file transfers with a faster upload speed. Typically, providers prioritize download speeds over upload speeds because they’re needed for common activities like using online streaming platforms and online gaming.

Symmetrical speeds refer to an internet plan with the same download and upload speeds.

For this reason, we suggest finding an internet plan that does not impose potentially costly monthly internet data caps. Then factor in how you use your internet connection outside of work, which can easily double your data use per month. All the video calls, file transfers, emails, and Slack messages add up quickly. Working from home requires a lot of data. In addition to considering your online activity, be on the lookout for certain features commonly found in internet plans that enhance your home internet experience. If you live in a metropolitan or suburban area, you have a good chance of finding multiple internet providers that offer such speeds. This should support all online activities related to work – be it file sharing, videoconferencing, or chat. If you have multiple people in your home working at the same time, then consider these speeds per person. A minimum of 100 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed is a good starting point for remote work.

To reduce buffering, lag, and frustration during your workday, we recommend investing in a high speed internet plan. If you’re working from home you’ll want to consider what tasks you perform daily and how many of those tasks and applications you have going at the same time. Keep in mind that this is a minimum speed requirement. The Federal Communication Commission considers 25 Mbps to be considered broadband internet. But practically speaking, the more bandwidth you have, the better your various applications and tasks will perform. Realistically, most people could perform their jobs with just 10 Mbps download and upload speed.
