If you’re one of the 22 million people in the U.S. who work from home, or if you’re looking to join them, then your home internet situation just got a lot more important.

There are virtually no WFH jobs that don’t require employees to maintain a reliable, high-speed home internet connection. The question for many, though, is how much internet is enough? Your productivity depends on it.

Let’s break it down.

Understanding internet speed
Internet speed is the rate at which data is transferred between your device and the internet. It’s usually measured in Megabits per second (Mbps) or Gigabits per second (Gbps) and consists of two main components:

• Download speed: The rate at which data is received from the internet. This affects actions like loading web pages and streaming video.
• Upload speed: The speed at which data is sent from your device to the internet. This is important for video conferencing and uploading files to the cloud.

For remote workers, a stable connection with a good balance of download and upload speed is key. A slow or inconsistent connection can lead to lag, buffering and disrupted meetings, affecting your productivity and professionalism.

Let’s touch base on a video call
If you’re working remotely, you’re probably already familiar with video calls, also commonly referred to as virtual meetings or video conferencing. This may be the most important part of your WFH life, giving you a visual communications link to your coworkers, supervisors and clients.

In addition to blazing-fast speeds, here are some things you need to make those calls crystal clear.

• Low latency for instant response times: Latency, defined as the time it takes for data to travel between devices, is critical for video calls. Fiber internet has low latency, which helps to minimize delays and interruptions that can occur with high-latency connections. This results in smoother and more continuous conversations.
• Symmetrical upload and download speeds: When data download speeds are not roughly equal to upload speeds, lag during video calls can occur. But when those speeds are symmetrical (such as with C Spire fiber internet), both uploads and downloads occur at the same high speed. This feature is crucial for facilitating smooth two-way communication.
• Handling multiple devices without slowdowns: If you have a WFH spouse or kids at home during your workday, the devices they use to stream, play games and work simultaneously can overload slower internet connections. High bandwidth capacity allows multiple users to stay connected without experiencing speed drops or buffering.

Your speed needs depend on how you use the internet
Home internet providers offer varying levels of internet speeds to match the service to their customers’ needs. Here are some common speeds levels and what they mean to you.

• 300 Mbps: With the number of connected devices now in our homes, internet speed and bandwidth (yes, they’re different — but closely related) are more important than ever. However, if you are a one-person household, this entry tier will cover your WFH needs.
• 500 Mbps: Do you have a spouse or young kids at home? At this level, streaming media, connected devices and other typical applications will be smooth and steady while you click away in the office.
• 1 Gbps: Gigabit internet has become the gold standard for most users for giving users plenty of speed and bandwidth.
• 2 Gbps and higher: At this level, you’re consuming high volumes of internet data every day from multiple media streams on connected devices all throughout your home. Smart gadgets and high-definition video security systems don’t even break a sweat. Files are uploaded and downloaded before you can snap your fingers. There isn’t much this amount of home-internet power can’t accomplish, even when matched with the most rigorous WFH regimen.

Now, about reliability
Glitchy video chats and random internet outages are unacceptable for remote workers — and thanks to the reliability of fiber internet, you won’t have to worry about them. But what makes it so dependable?

• Immunity to electromagnetic interference: Unlike copper cables, fiber optics are not affected by electromagnetic interference during thunderstorms because they do not conduct electricity. As a result, they are resistant to lightning strikes and power surges that can disrupt traditional internet connections.
• Buried infrastructure: When fiber-optic cables are buried underground (as C Spire does), they are protected from high winds, falling branches and other physical damage caused by severe weather.
• Durable materials: The outer layers of fiber-optic cables are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, moisture and even some physical wear.

Ready to get fiber internet to your home? Check your address here for availability.