5 Tips for Better Home Internet Connectivity (during Covid-19 and after)

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Poor or inconsistent Internet connectivity is one of the biggest struggles when working from home. At IT Direct, we have been hearing a lot about this particular struggle in recent weeks and would like to offer these five tips…

(If you would prefer video over written content, watch the video at the bottom of the article, where our CEO, Ari Santiago, talks about these tips during a recent webinar.)

  1. Check your internet plan. You should have a minimum of 150 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speed. If your plan has lower speeds than this, you should seriously consider an upgrade.
  2. Check that your hardware is up to date. Reach out to your internet service provider to make sure you have their most up-to-date hardware. They should be able to tell you by looking at the information in their systems or checking/having you check the model numbers on your equipment.
  3. Get a wired connection. A physical (wired) connection to your router will provide better internet speeds than relying on Wi-Fi. If your router is in an awkward location, consider having your internet service provider change the location of your router.
  4. Consider Wi-fi boosters or a Mesh Network. If you are unable to connect directly to your Internet router, you can test your connection to see if a wi-fi booster or mesh network may help. Note that these tools do not improve overall connection speed, they only improve your ability to connect to your wi-fi router at further distances (or through multiple walls) across your home. To test, simply move closer to your wi-fi router and see if your connection improves. If it does, you can purchase a wi-fi booster or mesh network online (they are very basic to install) or contact your internet service provider to see what they offer.
  5. Limit streaming services. If multiple members of your household are streaming video or using online gaming during working hours, this can massively affect internet speeds. You may either need to purchase a faster Internet package through your provider, or limit internet usage in your home during working hours.

Check out the video below where Ari Santiago, President and CEO of IT Direct, talks about these home internet connectivity tips during a webinar sponsored by Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology and the Advanced Manufacturing Employer Partnership (AMEP).