Planning to start up a new business later this year? Or are you currently managing a small one and are looking to reach more of your target market? Regardless of which boat you are in, it is essential to have good WiFi speed.
A slow and unstable internet connection can easily cripple a business. When your productivity suffers from poor internet speed, you end up losing customers. It will also hurt your credibility and reputation.
So, what is a good WiFi speed for business? Continue reading below as we give you a lowdown on internet speed, its different connection types, and choosing the best one for your business.
Understanding Your Needs
What is a good WiFi speed? That is a question every business owner should ask. The answer to the question varies.
But why so? This is because the answer depends on the needs and requirements of your business.
Internet speed involves two things: download speed and upload speed. Download speed pertains to the rate or speed of transferring data from the internet to your computer. On the other hand, upload speed involves the rate of data transfer from your computer to the internet.
But in answering our main question, you want to focus on the download speed. For reference, a home with one or two devices that uses the internet for email, browsing, and research only needs 5 Mbps of internet speed.
This number goes up as your requirements become heavier. Hence, if your small business houses 10 to 15 employees, you will need at least 150 Mbps of internet speed. This is enough to cover video conferencing, data backups, and cloud computing.
If you have around 15 to 20 employees who need to go online, 250 Mbps is your minimum. This is enough to add seamless conferencing and streaming, as well as server hosting.
If you have 20 to 30 people, 500 Mbps will work fine. This will give you enough speed for heavy online backups, constant cloud computing, and multiple-server hosting.
But if you have more than 30 people, 1 Gbps is what you need. Here, you can expect near-zero interruptions in your connection.
Digital Subscriber Line
Another important aspect you need to look into is the internet connection types. There are basic types available; each one with its pros and cons. Let us first look at Digital Subscriber Line or DSL.
This type of connection is similar to a phone line. However, the difference lies in the wiring. Moreover, DSL allows broadband transmission, making it faster than your dial-up connection.
DSL is one of the most common options available. Most telephone companies offer this service and you will not have a hard time finding a good one. As for performance, it is one of the fastest on the market.
However, the downside to DSL is when your line suffers physical damage. When this happens, it can easily interrupt your connection. The same thing goes when a power outage occurs.
What is a Good WiFi Speed? Try Fiber
But if you want the fastest among all types of internet connections, then fiber connection is your best bet. Easily, fiber trumps DSL, cable, and satellite connections. Thanks to its fiber-optic cables, it can transmit large amounts of data fast.
The fiber-optic cables feature glass strands. Through the strands, flashing lights pulse through them at designated intervals.
Fiber is an excellent choice for businesses that are growing steadily. However, fiber is not readily available in all areas. This is because creating a fiber network infrastructure is costly.
When choosing a Fiber internet provider, go for reputable ones with plenty of positive reviews. These types of providers offer a fast and reliable connection that is also scalable for businesses.
Satellite
Though satellite is not one of the top choices of businesses in the metro, it may be your best and only bet if you come from the rural area. Satellites send the internet to your computer wirelessly. However, it still needs wires to send the signal from the receiver to various parts of your office building.
For its bandwidth, it offers roughly the same as the DSL offers. But it fails in the latency department. Latency is the time it takes for the signal to travel from one computer to another within the network and back.
This latency challenge is due to the huge distance between the satellite, your computer, and the servers.
The Need for Speed
As we mentioned earlier, the need for a fast WiFi connection is a must for any business. And with the pandemic affecting the way people conduct their transactions, fast and reliable internet becomes more important than ever.
After securing an internet provider, you should test your internet speed regularly. There are many online tools that you can use to test your internet speed. These tools show your connection’s upload speed, download speed, and latency.
Additional Tips to Boost Your WiFi Speed
As a bonus, let us discuss a few tips that will help boost our WiFi speed in Mbps.
If you have an office setup, connect your smartphone to your office WiFi network and around the office. Check for areas where you notice the signal strength dropping.
You may also try conducting a speed test in these specific areas. If there are many areas where the signal dropped, consider investing in an internet booster.
If you notice your internet speed slowing down, check the location of the router. Walls and other items may block the smooth flow of the signal. Transfer the router to a clear place that is still centrally-located.
Last but not least, update your firmware regularly. Not only will the updates ensure faster connection with increased Mbps, but it will also protect your router and network from hackers.
Cover All Bases
Now that you know what is a good WiFi speed for your business, you can increase your productivity and connect with more people efficiently. But a fast internet connection is only one of the areas you need to cover.
Check out our other articles and blog posts on IoT topics. We discuss different topics on how to grow your business in all aspects. Visit the Tech section of the Everything Entrepreneur Blog right now!
