Working from home has become more and more common over the past two years. Even though many workers have returned to the office part-time, hybrid working remains popular, putting increasing pressure on home broadband across the country.

Without understanding how to set up broadband that can handle this kind of capacity, you may find yourself with a dropping internet connection.

Here, we take a look at the best broadband setup for those working from home, and how you can ensure that your broadband is working optimally when you need it.

Best location for routers

If your router signal needs to be equally strong for all members of your household at once, then the location of your router really matters. While choosing the right location won’t boost the speed of your broadband, it can ensure that the signal is more consistent.

Many people place their router in the kitchen, but this can be a mistake, mainly because it is all too easy to spill something on it, rendering it non-functional. The best position for your router is in a central location in your home, where it is not obstructed by other items. You should not put your router near other electrical items or on the floor to achieve the best possible connection for all users.

Calculate what speeds you need

In order to ensure that you have a good connection, you will need to calculate the correct speed for your household. For those using the internet for basics such as browsing the internet, sending emails and watching a small amount of video content, you may only require 25Mbps. On the other hand, if you have up to five or more people in your household who require streaming videos, file sharing, and consistent connectivity for work purposes, you may need between 50 to 200Mbps. A broadband usage calculator can give you an accurate idea of your needs, and a postcode checker can tell you which provider offers the best speeds in your area.

Consider WiFi extenders or a wired connection

If you are struggling to connect to your WiFi consistently and your connection is unstable, you may require WiFi extenders. These can improve the scope of your signal around the house and can be especially useful for those with larger homes.

Check fair usage policy limits

Even if you opt for a broadband plan that is unlimited, you may find that your WiFi is not as reliable as you would like it to be and sometimes cuts out unexpectedly. Many providers have a fair usage policy which will cap the amount of data used if a certain amount has been exceeded. This is when there may be an unusually high level of usage, such as if there is a lot of video content being downloaded.

Ensure that you know what your provider’s fair usage policy is and whether there is a way to track your usage so you don’t find yourself without the internet unexpectedly.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, you should be in a much better position to enjoy faster and more reliable broadband when working from home.