Best Broadband for Working From Home
Essential guide to choosing reliable broadband that won't let you down during important video calls, cloud work, and remote collaboration. Upload speed and reliability matter more than you think.
Why Working From Home Changes Everything
Remote work puts completely different demands on your broadband compared to casual home internet use. While streaming Netflix requires good download speeds, professional remote work is heavily dependent on upload speed and connection reliability.
Every video call you join sends your video and audio upstream to the meeting server. When you're uploading files to SharePoint, sending emails with large attachments, or backing up to the cloud, you're using upload bandwidth. Most UK broadband packages have asymmetric speeds—high download, much lower upload—which can bottleneck remote work.
Traditional ADSL broadband might offer 10-20 Mbps download speeds, but typically provides just 1-2 Mbps upload. This is completely inadequate for modern remote work. You need at least 10 Mbps upload for HD video calls, and 20+ Mbps if multiple people in your household work from home.
Key Insight:
A 67 Mbps FTTC connection with 20 Mbps upload will serve remote work better than a 900 Mbps FTTP connection that's unreliable. For WFH, reliability and upload speed matter more than peak download speed.
Connection Types for Remote Work
Upload speed is critical for WFH. Here's how different connection types compare.
Full Fibre (FTTP) - Best for WFH
Direct fibre to your home offers the most reliable connection with excellent upload speeds (typically 30-100+ Mbps). Best choice for professional remote work.
Cable (Virgin Media) - Excellent Option
Very fast and reliable with good upload speeds. Gig1 offers 52 Mbps upload. Great for demanding remote work with multiple video calls.
Fibre to Cabinet (FTTC) - Adequate
Standard fibre broadband. Upload speeds typically 10-20 Mbps. Works for basic WFH but can struggle with multiple simultaneous video calls.
ADSL - Not Recommended for WFH
Old copper technology with very low upload speeds (1-2 Mbps). Insufficient for video calls and modern remote work requirements.
Video Conferencing Speed Requirements
Video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet all require both download and upload bandwidth. Here's what each popular platform recommends:
- ✓Zoom HD Video Call (1-to-1): 3 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up
- ✓Zoom HD Group Call (3+ people): 4 Mbps down / 4 Mbps up
- ✓Microsoft Teams HD Video: 4 Mbps down / 4 Mbps up
- ✓Google Meet HD Video: 3.2 Mbps down / 3.2 Mbps up
- ✓Zoom 1080p HD Video: 5 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up
- ✓Screen Sharing: Additional 1-2 Mbps upload recommended
Important Note:
These are minimum requirements per device. If two people are on video calls simultaneously, double these figures. Always add 50% buffer for reliable performance and to account for VPN overhead.
Speed Requirements by Work Activity
Different remote work activities have different bandwidth needs. Here's a breakdown of what you need for common work tasks:
- ✓Email and Web Browsing: 5-10 Mbps sufficient
- ✓Cloud Applications (Office 365, Google Workspace): 10-25 Mbps recommended
- ✓Large File Uploads (Dropbox, OneDrive): 20+ Mbps upload for comfortable use
- ✓CRM and Database Applications (Salesforce, etc): 10-25 Mbps recommended
- ✓Remote Desktop/VDI: 15-25 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up minimum
- ✓Downloading Large Files/Software: 50+ Mbps for productivity
Speeds for Multiple Remote Workers
Households with multiple people working from home need significantly more bandwidth.
- ✓1 Person - Light Work (Email, Web): 25-50 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up sufficient
- ✓1 Person - Heavy Work (Video Calls, Large Files): 50-100 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up recommended
- ✓2 People - Both on Video Calls: 100 Mbps down, 30+ Mbps up recommended
- ✓Family of 4 (2 Working, 2 Streaming/Gaming): 150-300 Mbps down, 40+ Mbps up ideal
- ✓Multiple Heavy Users (Video Calls + Uploads): 300-500 Mbps down, 50+ Mbps up recommended
Household Example:
Family with 2 adults working from home, both on 2-3 video calls per day, plus 2 teenagers streaming and gaming:
Recommended: 200-300 Mbps download, 40-50 Mbps upload. BT Full Fibre 300 (300/50 Mbps) or Sky Full Fibre 500 (500/75 Mbps) would be ideal choices.
Best Broadband Providers for Remote Work
These providers offer excellent upload speeds, reliability, and features suited to remote workers.
EE Full Fibre 150
Includes 4G/5G backup so you stay connected even if broadband fails. Perfect for critical work situations.
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BT Full Fibre 300
Excellent reliability with 50 Mbps upload. Smart Hub 2 with strong WiFi for home office. Stay Fast Guarantee.
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Sky Full Fibre 500
Fast speeds with 75 Mbps upload. Great for households with multiple remote workers. Reliable infrastructure.
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Virgin Media M350
Fast cable broadband with 36 Mbps upload. Hub 5 router with excellent WiFi coverage. Reliable for WFH.
View DetailsOptimizing Your Home Network for WFH
Even with great broadband, your home network setup matters. Follow these tips to maximize reliability and performance for professional remote work:
- ✓Use Ethernet for Your Work Computer: WiFi can drop during critical moments. Wired is reliable.
- ✓Position Router Centrally: Ensure good WiFi coverage throughout your home office area.
- ✓Enable QoS (Quality of Service): Prioritize work traffic over streaming and downloads.
- ✓Upgrade Your Router: ISP routers can be basic. Consider mesh WiFi for large homes.
- ✓Separate Work and Personal Networks: Use 5GHz band for work, 2.4GHz for IoT devices.
- ✓Schedule Large Downloads: Download large files outside working hours to preserve bandwidth.
- ✓Test Your Connection: Use speed tests regularly to ensure you're getting advertised speeds.
- ✓Have a Backup Plan: Mobile hotspot or 4G/5G backup for critical work situations.
Ethernet vs WiFi:
WiFi can drop packets and suffer interference, especially during important calls. Running an Ethernet cable to your work desk eliminates this variability. If you must use WiFi, position your desk as close to the router as possible and use the 5GHz band.
Essential WFH Broadband Tips
- ✓Upload Speed Matters: Video calls send data upstream - need at least 10 Mbps upload for HD video.
- ✓Reliability First: Consistent connection is more important than peak speed for professional work.
- ✓4G/5G Backup: Consider EE broadband with mobile backup for critical work situations.
- ✓Wired Connection: Use Ethernet for video calls when possible to avoid WiFi dropouts.
- ✓VPN Overhead: VPNs add latency and reduce speeds - factor this into your requirements.
- ✓Multiple Workers: Two people on simultaneous video calls need 50+ Mbps total bandwidth.
VPN Impact on Speed
Most companies require VPN connections for remote work to secure access to corporate networks. However, VPNs have a significant impact on your effective internet speed—typically reducing speeds by 20-50% depending on the VPN provider, server location, and encryption strength.
What this means in practice: If you have a 50 Mbps connection and your VPN reduces speeds by 40%, you're working with just 30 Mbps. If your work requires video calls at 5 Mbps, large file uploads, and cloud application access, this can quickly become insufficient.
Solution: Account for VPN overhead when choosing your broadband speed. If your work activities require 50 Mbps, consider getting a 100 Mbps package to ensure adequate performance through the VPN.
Some VPNs offer "split tunneling" where only work traffic goes through the VPN, allowing personal traffic to use your full connection. Check with your IT department if this is allowed by company policy.
Backup Connection for Critical Work
No broadband connection is 100% reliable. Line faults, power cuts, and ISP outages can happen. If you have critical work that cannot be interrupted—like client presentations, important meetings, or time-sensitive deadlines—having a backup connection is essential professional insurance.
Backup options:
- •EE Broadband with 4G/5G Backup: Automatically switches to mobile network if broadband fails. Best integrated solution.
- •Mobile Hotspot: Keep a smartphone with generous data allowance (50GB+) as emergency backup. Unlimited plans ideal.
- •4G/5G Home Broadband: Vodafone, Three, EE offer 5G home broadband. Use as primary or backup connection.
- •Dual ISP Setup: Some remote workers subscribe to two different ISPs on different networks for maximum reliability.
If you regularly have important client meetings or handle time-critical work, spending an extra £10-20/month on backup connectivity is worthwhile professional insurance.
Troubleshooting Remote Work Issues
Experiencing issues with video calls, uploads, or connection reliability? Here are common WFH broadband problems and solutions:
- ✓Video Call Quality Poor: Check upload speed, close background apps, use Ethernet instead of WiFi
- ✓Frequent Disconnections: May indicate line fault - contact ISP. Check router is well-ventilated.
- ✓Slow VPN Performance: VPNs reduce speeds by 20-50%. Consider split-tunneling if company allows.
- ✓WiFi Dead Zones: Invest in mesh WiFi system or WiFi extenders for whole-home coverage.
- ✓Peak Hour Slowdowns: Upgrade to package with higher speeds or switch to FTTP for consistency.
- ✓Multiple Users Competing: Enable QoS, upgrade to higher speed package, or stagger usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What speed do I need for working from home?
For one person: minimum 50 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload. Recommended 100 Mbps download, 20+ Mbps upload for comfortable use with video calls, cloud apps, and file uploads. Multiple remote workers need 150-300 Mbps download and 30-50 Mbps upload.
Why does my video call quality drop during meetings?
Usually caused by insufficient upload bandwidth, WiFi interference, or other household members using bandwidth. Test your upload speed (should be 5+ Mbps minimum), switch to Ethernet connection, and ensure others aren't streaming or downloading during calls.
Is FTTC enough for working from home?
FTTC (typically 67 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload) is adequate for single remote workers with light-moderate usage. However, FTTP is recommended for households with multiple workers or heavy video call usage, offering better upload speeds and reliability.
Do I need business broadband for working from home?
Most remote employees don't need business broadband. Consumer packages from BT, Sky, Virgin Media, or EE are sufficient and better value. Business broadband (£40-100+/month) offers faster fault repair and guaranteed SLAs, worthwhile for self-employed professionals who lose income during outages.
How much does a VPN slow down my connection?
VPNs typically reduce speeds by 20-50% depending on the VPN service, server location, and encryption protocol. Modern VPNs using WireGuard protocol have minimal impact (10-20%), while older protocols can halve your speed. Factor this into your speed requirements.
Final Recommendations
For reliable remote work, prioritize connection stability and upload speedover maximum download speed. A full fibre (FTTP) connection with at least 100-150 Mbps download and 20-30 Mbps upload provides an excellent foundation for professional remote work.
Single remote workers: BT Full Fibre 150 (150/30 Mbps), Sky Full Fibre 150, or EE Full Fibre 150 with mobile backup are all excellent choices offering the right balance of speed, upload capacity, and reliability.
Households with multiple remote workers: Consider BT Full Fibre 300 (300/50 Mbps), Sky Full Fibre 500 (500/75 Mbps), or Virgin Media M500 (516/41 Mbps) for adequate bandwidth and high upload speeds.
Critical work considerations: If broadband outages would seriously impact your work, invest in backup connectivity through EE's 4G/5G backup service, or keep a mobile hotspot with generous data allowance as emergency backup.
Remember: Use Ethernet for your work computer whenever possible, position your router centrally, and test your connection regularly. The best broadband for WFH is one that consistently delivers the speeds you need, especially upstream, without dropouts during your working hours.