Although it’s back to the office for many companies, a lot of businesses still allow their employees to work from home.
Some companies have also implemented a hybrid work setup, which lets employees work in the office and from home for a specific number of days every week or month.
If you’re lucky enough to still work from home permanently or for a few days a week, having a 5G internet connection can help you stay productive and complete your daily tasks.
5G internet is faster and has lower ping or latency, which is the reaction time of your connection and measures your internet speed. This feature means there is less delay in transmitting data and ensures faster response times, allowing you to get more work done.
When you have a 5G wireless router, you can work anywhere in your abode. You don’t have to stay in your home office and glued to your desk. You can answer emails or create reports in your living room or garden if you need a change of scenery and ambiance.
With faster connectivity, you can stay productive, go about your usual tasks, and meet deadlines even if you’re working from home.
Improving Your Internet Connection to Stay Productive at Home
Even if you’re at home, you’re expected to complete your daily to-do lists, attend meetings, and do other important things. These can be hard to accomplish when your internet connection is not at its best.
Although 5G internet is fast and reliable, there are still ways to improve it to ensure you complete all your tasks without interruption. These tips and tricks include the following:
1. Find the best spot for your router.
Physical obstacles, such as walls and floors, and electronic interference, can affect wireless connection quality. You can get faster Wi-Fi by placing the router in an open spot.
Put the router in the middle of your home or on the main floor of your house. If you only plan to use it in your home office, put it on your desk or in the central area.
Keep the router away from walls, bookshelves, and other obstructions, and place it off the floor, on top of a table or shelf, above the furnishings. Make sure it is also far from electronic devices that give off interference, such as a baby monitor and cordless phones.
You can find the perfect spot for the router by using an app that pinpoints areas in your home where the Wi-Fi signal is strong.
By placing the router in the best spot, you can enjoy fast, uninterrupted internet connection.
2. Ensure you have the right bandwidth you need.
Bandwidth, measured in megabytes per second (Mbps), refers to the maximum rate at which data is transferred over the network connection. When the router has a higher bandwidth, a larger amount of data flows through the connection, which results in faster downloads and better device performance.
When you exceed the bandwidth, your internet connection will run slower or simply stop working.
If you only send and receive emails, use Google, or post on social media sites when working at home, you don’t need high bandwidth and can subscribe to an affordable 5G internet plan.
However, if you need to regularly host or attend online meetings, join video calls, and upload and download large files, you need a plan with a high bandwidth. Doing so ensures you have fast, consistent internet without any lag.
If you’re still choosing a 5G internet plan or considering upgrading your current one, consider your typical online activities and think about how much bandwidth you need to carry them out without any difficulties.
3. Limit connected devices and unnecessary use during working hours.
Since you’re working at home, you’re more likely to be tempted to stream movies or TV shows or play online games while writing a report or attending a virtual training session. However, these activities can cause slow connections since they take up a lot of bandwidth.
As such, avoid doing unnecessary online activities that use plenty of bandwidth while working. Focus on completing your tasks first before using the internet for entertainment.
Avoid downloading large files, such as movies and several TV show episodes, while working as well since it can use up most of your bandwidth and cause lags and interruptions.
Your internet connection may also be slowed by too many devices. If you have more than one mobile phone, a tablet, and other gadgets connected, disconnect their Wi-Fi connection when you’re not using them.
You’ll have a faster connection if fewer devices are connected to your router.
4. Strengthen your Wi-Fi security.
Viruses, hackers, and other cyber security threats can slow down your internet. Moreover, they can result in other connectivity issues and problems for your account and put your personal data at risk.
You can improve your Wi-Fi security by immediately changing the router’s default username and password to something unique and difficult to guess. Also, check if your router has WPA3 encryption and enable it since it offers the best protection.
Regularly update your router’s firmware to patch any security vulnerabilities. Consider disabling features like remote management and WPS (Wi-Fi protected setup) because they can be easily exploited by hackers.
Be wary of unsafe or unauthorized sites and pages. Avoid clicking links you receive by email, text messages, or direct messages from unknown senders.
Lastly, regularly scan your devices and connections to ensure they are virus-free and safe from threats.
5. Upgrade your plan.
If you’re frequently having connectivity issues while working at home, upgrading your plan may be the best solution.
Higher-tier 5G internet plans often offer faster speeds, better bandwidth, and improved reliability. These features allow you to handle more tasks like video conferencing, large file transfers, or streaming webinars without difficulties.
Speak with your internet service provider to discuss your current usage and look for a plan that suits your bandwidth requirements. A small increase in your monthly bill can result in a faster, more stable connection, which can make working from home more productive and enjoyable.
With these tips and tricks, you can have a faster internet connection and a better, more efficient work-from-home setup.