The work-from-home culture gained massive popularity post-pandemic (2020). People became aware of the fact that most jobs requiring digital skills could be managed from anywhere with a computer and internet connection. Commuting to an office every day was accepted as inconvenient and unnecessary.
When you’re not showing up in person, a steady online presence is expected; hence, reliable internet for remote workers/freelancers is crucial. Whether you work from home or on the go, you need the internet to do your job and stay connected with your boss, clients, and/or co-workers.
Is your current internet service coming in the way of important work calls and project deadlines? Maybe it’s time to find a replacement.
What to Look for in Remote Internet Plans?
There are no hard and fast rules for choosing an internet plan for working from home or remotely, but understanding key features will help you pick the most suitable option.
Speed & Latency
The higher the download and upload speeds offered by your internet plan, the smoother your online experience. When you share your internet plan with multiple people in the house, the bandwidth gets divided and results in lower speeds for each user.
High-speed internet with symmetrical speeds reduces the occurrence of slow loading/uploading, lags, buffering, etc.
The latency or ping may depend on the type of connection. Wired broadband has relatively low latency, which makes it ideal for video calling, multiplayer gaming, and other real-time collaborations online.
Data Allowance
Remote work may consume a great deal of data; the numbers add up quickly between video conferences, exchanging emails/messages, file transfers, and running specialized software. Moreover, sharing the home network with hardcore gamers and streamers further increases data usage.
Choosing an ISP that offers unlimited data across all internet plans is the safest bet, as you won’t have to worry about speed throttling or overage fees if you exceed the threshold. Settling for an internet plan with a generous data cap (such as 1TB) is good too.
Pricing & Contract Terms
It’s essential to sign up for an internet plan you can easily afford in the long run. While the monthly cost may seem reasonable, it is common practice to ignore taxes, equipment rental, installation charges, and other hidden fees in the fine print.
Many ISPs offer a low promotional price to new users, which often involves entering a contract. Make sure you read and understand all terms and conditions of the contract beforehand to avoid problems later. Opting for a contract-free plan is essentially risk-free.
Reliability
Reliability is an umbrella term – the concept may vary by individual. In general, an internet service provider (ISP) that can guarantee maximum uptime and offer good customer support in times of need can be considered reliable for working from home.
Consistent performance is another vital component of reliability. An internet connection that is increasingly prone to outages or slow speeds during peak usage hours can be problematic for remote workers.
Nationwide Hotspots
Some ISPs offer millions of free Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide to keep their customers connected on the go. In case you’re someone who likes to work while they’re out and about (from cozy cafes and other work-friendly public places), this is a perk worth considering.
How Much Internet Speed Do You Need to Work from Home?
How much speed do I need? That’s the golden question when you’re browsing internet plans to support your source of income. Once you figure out your speed needs, it may simply come down to what’s available and budget-friendly.
The recommended speed to work from home is subjective. For instance, if a normal day’s job involves working in Google Docs and exchanging a few files/messages via email or Skype, the bare minimum of Broadband may suffice – 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed.
That said, the nature of remote work varies by profession, so matching internet plans can be diverse.
Let’s take a look at estimated speed requirements for common work-from-home applications used for everyday communication:
| Application | Min. Download Speed | Recommended Download Speed | Min. Upload Speed | Recommended Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skype | 2 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 128 Kbps | 512 Kbps |
| Slack | 500 Kbps | 2 Mbps | 500 Kbps | 1 Mbps |
| Zoom | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| Google Meet | 3 Mbps | 5 Mbps | 3 Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| Microsoft Teams | 200 Kbps | 4 Mbps | 150 Kbps | 3 Mbps |
Average Download Speed Required for Other Routinely Activities
| Standard Quality Streaming | 5-8 Mbps |
| Social Media | 3-5 Mbps |
| Web Browsing | 3-5 Mbps |
| File Sharing | 10 Mbps |
Since we use the internet on multiple devices and run several applications at a time, 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed per person is recommended.
Suppose you’re sharing your network with 2-3 other family members, a 100 Mbps internet plan should be sufficient; but then again, there are exceptions.
Best Internet Plans for Work-from-Home Users
High-speed broadband is the ultimate solution for remote workers. Since it comes in several different forms, you’ve got to pick the best option for yourself.
Wired broadband, particularly fiber and cable internet is highly recommended in terms of reliability and speed. However, wireless options, like satellite internet, are appropriate for residents in rural and remote areas.
Top Fiber Internet Providers
For blazing fast and symmetrical upload + download speeds, we suggest equipping yourself with a fiber internet plan. Fiber internet normally comes with unlimited data and offers the most bandwidth; this means it can support multiple users and a large of devices simultaneously, without compromising on performance.
- Symmetrical Speeds up to 5 Gig†
- Unlimited Data
- Clear-cut Pricing + No Equipment Fee
- No Contract required
- Unlimited Data
- No Contract
- Rural Connectivity (in select areas)
- Symmetrical Speeds up to 2 Gig
- Variety of plans up to 8 Gig speed
- No Data Cap
- No Annual Contract
- Smart WiFi 6E Gateway included with all plans
Top Cable Internet Providers
Cable internet is pretty good for working from home, given its wide availability across the country. Most cable ISPs offer plans with download speeds up to 1 Gbps, although upload speeds are much lower. Cable internet uses the same wiring as Cable TV, which makes it relatively cheaper and easy to install.
- Starting at under $20/mo.*
- Multiple bundling options
- 22 million + WiFi hotspots nationwide
- Same-day installation
*Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
- Diverse range of plans
- 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee
- FREE Network Security Suite
- Powerful in-home WiFi
Top Satellite Internet Providers
The rise in remote work opportunities has immensely benefited the rural population. It offers better career and earning prospects by omitting the need to commute long distances or move to a big city. While the lack of wired broadband in rural areas can be concerning, satellite internet has proven to be a decent alternative.
- Download speeds up to 100 Mbps
- Wide Rural availability
- Flexible Data Options
- Year-Round Promotions
- No data caps
- Up to 150 Mbps download speeds
- Available everywhere
- Free standard professional installation
How to Choose the Right Internet Plan
Do you have multiple internet options for choose from? Let’s compare the ISPs mentioned above to help you make an informed decision:
| ISP | Symmetrical Speeds | Multi-Gig Speeds | Unlimited Data | Low Starting Price ($50 or less) | Widespread Rural Availability | Free WiFi Hotspots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ❌ | ❌ | ✓ |
| Kinetic by Windstream | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Optimum | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ❌ | ✓ |
| Xfinity | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✓ | ❌ | ✓ |
| Spectrum | ❌ | ❌ | ✓ | ✓ | ❌ | ✓ |
| Xtream powered by Mediacom | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✓ | ❌ | ✓ |
| HughesNet | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✓ | ❌ |
| Viasat | ❌ | ❌ | ✓ | ❌ | ✓ | ❌ |
Bonus Internet Tips for Work-from-Home Users
- Always look out for installation charges, equipment rental costs, and other hidden fees when you sign up with a new ISP.
- Learn to negotiate for a better deal to cut down monthly internet expenses.
- If you want to leave your current internet service, plan the switch during sales; for example, you can find amazing internet deals during the Holiday Season.
- Keep a backup internet source to continue remote work in the event of a power or internet outage; your mobile data hotspot shall be sufficient to maintain connectivity during temporary outages.
- Secure your home network and work data with reliable antivirus + anti-spyware software.
- Bundle your Internet with Cable TV and Phone – purchasing multiple services from the same vendor saves time and money.
FAQs
What is a good internet speed to work from home?
Each person working from home must have at least 10 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed. Keeping that in mind, a 100 Mbps internet plan is suitable for remote work.
Which type of Internet is best for working from home?
Fiber internet plans from providers like AT&T, Optimum, and Fidium Fiber are best for working from home. Cable internet is also a fast and affordable internet option for freelancers.
Is a 300 Mbps internet plan fast enough to support remote work?
Typically, a 300 Mbps internet plan should be sufficient to support at least three work-from-home users at a time.
What is the cheapest internet plan for working from home?
Starter plans from cable internet providers like Xfinity and Mediacom are cheap yet reliable options for working from home.