Since remote and hybrid working became the norm, home broadband has gone from a nice-to-have to an essential business tool. A buffering video call or a dropped connection during a client presentation isn't just frustrating — it's unprofessional.
Here's what you actually need.
Minimum speeds for working from home
These are realistic minimums, not theoretical figures:
| Task | Minimum Download | Minimum Upload |
|---|---|---|
| Video calls (1-to-1) | 5 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| Video calls (large group) | 10 Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| Cloud storage / file sync | 20 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| Screen sharing | 15 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| General web & email | 5 Mbps | 2 Mbps |
If multiple people are working from home simultaneously, multiply these figures.
Upload speed matters more than people think
Most broadband packages are asymmetric — they give you much higher download than upload speeds. But working from home is heavy on uploads: video calls, sending files, sharing screens, uploading to cloud services. Check your upload speed, not just the headline download figure.
Latency matters for video calls
Latency (ping) is the delay between your device sending a signal and receiving a response. High latency makes video calls choppy and causes that infuriating "talking at the same time" problem. Aim for under 50ms for comfortable video calls.
How to test your current connection
- Go to fast.com — simple download test
- Go to speedtest.net — shows upload and latency too
- Test a few times at different times of day — consistency matters
What if my speeds are fine but calls still drop?
If your speed test results look good but video calls are still unreliable, the culprit is often:
- Wi-Fi interference (use ethernet if possible during important calls)
- A congested home network (other devices streaming or downloading)
- Your provider's network congestion at peak hours
Is 5G broadband suitable for working from home?
Yes — with the right signal. Our customers typically see 50–200 Mbps download and 20–50 Mbps upload, which comfortably covers everything above. The key is checking that your address gets a strong signal before signing up.