For millions of people, working from home is now a permanent part of the week. But while many have invested in desks, office chairs and second screens, experts say one crucial part of the home office is often overlooked - your broadband.
A slow or unreliable connection can lead to frozen video calls, sluggish file uploads and frustrating interruptions, particularly if several people are online at the same time.
Broadband provider Grain says choosing the right connection and making a few simple changes to your home set-up can dramatically improve your working day.
According to Grain: "Full Fibre broadband is an excellent choice for home working, offering significant advantages over traditional copper-based connections. With speeds of up to 1Gb, it ensures fast, reliable internet for tasks such as video conferencing, file uploads, and using cloud applications without lag or interruptions."
How fast does your broadband need to be to work from home?
The right speed depends on how you work, says Grain.
For everyday home working, including video meetings, cloud-based software and downloading documents, at least 150Mbps is recommended.
If multiple people are working from home, streaming TV or gaming at the same time, upgrading to 500Mbps or faster can help avoid slowdowns.
Those using demanding applications or regularly transferring large files may also benefit from higher speeds.
Ethernet or Wi-Fi?
While Wi-Fi is convenient, experts say an Ethernet cable is still the gold standard if you want the most reliable connection.
Grain explains that wired connections offer greater stability, lower latency and are less likely to suffer interference than wireless networks, making them ideal for video conferencing and other work-critical tasks.
Find out if you can get Grain in your area with this simple checker.
Seven easy ways to improve your Wi-Fi
If changing your broadband package isn't an option, there are several simple ways to improve your connection.
- Place your router in a central location rather than hidden in a cupboard.
- Use the 5GHz Wi-Fi band when you're close to your router.
- Keep your router away from sources of interference such as microwaves and cordless phones.
- Make sure your laptop, tablet and phone are fully updated.
- Consider adding a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system if you have dead spots.
- Check your device's network settings if you're experiencing persistent issues.
- Avoid heavy streaming, gaming or large downloads while you're on important work calls where possible.
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Do you need a static IP?
For most homeworkers, the answer is no.
Grain says a standard dynamic IP address is suitable for everyday browsing, video calls and office work. However, a static IP may be useful for people who need secure VPN access, host servers or connect to specialist remote workplace systems.
The company added: "If you're working closely with a team, managing large documents, or relying heavily on cloud software, you may want to opt for higher speeds, such as 500Mbps and above, to avoid any slowdowns."
With flexible and hybrid working showing little sign of disappearing, ensuring your broadband can keep up could be one of the simplest ways to make working from home less stressful.
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