How To Improve Your Internet Connection While Working Remotely
Publié le 19 August 2020
With millions now logging into the virtual office, you may find yourself wondering how to improve your internet connection while working remotely.
Working from home is more than just a trend, a bonus perk, or a temporary fix to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Remote work is here to stay, with many companies transitioning to permanent work-from-home roles. It is the new normal way to work for millions of employees in Canada and across the world. As employees adjust and adapt to this new virtual workplace, it has become apparent that the technical requirements will play a major role in the success of work-from-home positions.
As a work-from-home employee, the most important thing that you need to succeed in remote work positions is a strong internet connection. This will allow you to complete your work, collaborate with colleagues and stay in contact with clients and customers. Without a decent internet signal, it can lead to grainy video calls, prolonged download times and communication issues.
Unfortunately, many remote workers must make due with the few major telecommunications companies and the internet coverage and plans that are offered, at least until internet access can be classified as public utility. Once you have selected the internet plan that best suits your needs, there are several things you can do to make sure that the internet signal in your home workspace is as strong as possible.
Get The Right Equipment
If you are looking to improve your internet connection while working remotely, including both speed of transmission and the total area covered, there are some key pieces of technology that can help accomplish these goals.
- The WIFI/WLAN Extender: This a portable device connects to the existing WIFI network and duplicates the signal. Then, it broadcasts the duplicated signal, allowing you to move the Extender to a new location far away from the router, greatly extending the WIFI range.
- The WIFI/WLAN Repeater: This device is directly connected through an ethernet cable to your existing router, providing it with more power and capability. The result is a significant boost in both range and maximum transmission speed.
There are a wide variety of different boosters, repeaters and extenders available that hopefully will give you a stronger WIFI signal allowing you to work from any space in your home. Finding the correct device for you will depend on your specific needs and existing equipment, and a bit of research can help to identify what will best suit your space. Don’t hesitate to call or email either the manufacturer or the store selling your device, who should be able to provide a more detailed technical breakdown.
Once you have the correct pieces of technology, there are still a few steps you can take to improve your internet connection while working remotely.
The Room Matters
Transforming your home into a remote workspace can sometimes lead to creating home workspaces in unlikely places. With people who have families, roommates and shared living space, options can quickly grow limited. Bedrooms, basements, and kitchens are common home workspaces, while attics, laundry rooms, balconies and other unusual places can be pressed into service to meet the needs of employees newly working from home. Try to choose a space that receives a clear WIFI signal whenever possible. This may involve some experimentation and adjustment, either moving your workspace to a new area or rearranging the room.
Install Your Router At The Correct Height
The height at which you install your router can actually have a large impact on your WIFI internet signal. Think of it like a speaker, speakers that are higher in the air are easier to hear with better sound quality. The same idea applies to your router. Adjusting the height of your router is a simple method to improve your internet connection while working remotely.
The best height for your router is between 1-1.5 meters, or 3-4 feet, off of the ground. This is the correct height for the WIFI signal to propagate optimally. It also has the added benefit of getting your router off the ground, better protecting it from damage.
Be sure not to set it too high, however, as this can cause your signal to degrade.
Find A Central Location For Your Router
Choosing a central location in your home for your router will improve your internet connection while working remotely. Many people stick their router in the corner of one room and forget about it, only to be frustrated with a weak WIFI signal one floor up or down. It’s important to place the router in a central location of the workspace. For multilevel homes, the basement or the attic are not optimal, as it increases the distance that the signal has to travel to reach you.
When selecting a central location, avoid placing your router behind furniture or on the other side of a wall. Large pieces of furniture and walls can actually block the WIFI signal from the router, causing a noticeable loss of speed and reliability.
Additionally, certain types of electrical appliances have been known to cause signal interference. If you find that your signal is unreliable, try moving your router away from televisions, refrigerators, microwaves and other electronics to see if the signal quality improves.
What To Do If Your Router Stops
If you experience problems with your router, contact your internet provider right away. They may be experiencing an outage, or can provide you with specific instructions on how to reset your router. In the event of a prolonged outage, let your supervisors and colleagues know as soon as possible. A breakdown in communication is not only bad for productivity, but can actually harm positive corporate culture and workplace community. It is very frustrating to deal with a bad internet connection, but your colleagues will even be more frustrated if they get zero warning that work may be delayed or you cannot respond to their inquiries.
If you want to try a quick fix before contacting your internet provider, a simple solution is to unplug your router and any connected WIFI extender or repeater. Wait at least 10 seconds and then plug your devices back in. After a few moments, your router should begin to emit a signal again. Check to make sure you can connect and hopefully you will be good to go.
A strong internet connection is vital to successfully working from home. While there is only so much we can do with the limited number of internet providers, once you have selected a provider finding ways to improve your internet connection while working remotely should be on everyone’s work-from-home to-do list. This will ensure that you can stay connected with colleagues and perform your job to the best of your abilities.
