5 tips to getting fast and reliable internet at work
By
November 21, 2023
A fast, reliable internet connection can unlock your business’ potential; while a slow, unstable connection will hold you back. To help you get the most out of your internet at work here's a list of essential basics to help you choose the right gear and fix any problems with your existing setup.
1. Get a solid business broadband service
It all starts with the business broadband plan you sign up to. With a range of network technologies available (fibre, wireless and satellite, etc.) you want to get a service that is fast, reliable and has the capacity to meet all the data needs of your business.
There’s clear benefits in going with fibre with the most popular fibre broadband plan offering more speed and less latency than 4G wireless and satellite*, but it’s worthwhile also asking specifically for a business fibre connection. These are different from standard residential fibre as they’re specifically designed by Chorus for the needs of Kiwi businesses with features such as:
• Entry level business fibre plans which are faster and have less latency than most popular residential fibre connection, and fixed wireless or copper broadband plans*
• Symmetrical bandwidth for most business connections**, which means that your upload speeds are the same as download speeds. This makes it faster and easier to send large documents, host webinars, online events and more.
• Priority fault restoration, meaning any fault affecting your connection due to a network issue will be prioritised and fixed as a matter of urgency.
• Installs carried out by technicians experienced in putting in fibre into office environments.
Ready to get the fibre connection your businesses deserves? Make sure you have the right plan for your business today! For more tips to ensure a fast reliable internet connection at work.
2. Don’t skimp on your router
To maximise the speed and performance of your business fibre broadband service, you really want to ensure you have a good router. (Sometimes called a modem by.) It’s up to you whether that comes from your service provider or you choose to buy one separately, as long as you:
• Ideally make sure it’s a WiFi 6 router. (This is the latest tech which supports the fastest wireless speeds and offers the most connected devices.)
• Choose a good quality brand like Asus, Netgear or TP-link. The benefits of choosing a well-known brand are you tend to get a better-quality device (lasts longer, performs better), better and more secure device firmware (security is very important) and ongoing firmware updates/ security patches, etc.
• Ensure your router is rated to handle the speed of your fibre broadband plan. This ‘rating’ is known as throughput speed and refers to the connection speed that your router is equipped for.
• The signal strength is very important depending on how big your office is, so you may want to buy a router with a number of antennas if you have a large space to cover.
3. Positioning your router
• Just like at home, to ensure a reliable connection, good wifi speed and consistent coverage, it’s worth putting a little thought into router placement. It should be in a central location in an open space (e.g. not a cupboard!) elevated from the ground.
• You should also try to pick a location away from obstructions, other electronics and large metal objects - these can block your signal and create dead spots.
4. Setting up your network
If you have a large office or one that’s spread over multiple levels, a single router may not be able to provide an internet connection throughout the entire space. Mesh routers are an easy solution. As the name suggests, mesh routers are comprised of several devices that you can connect throughout your space, vastly improving your wifi coverage.
5. Providing security
Your business’ internet needs to be secure to keep customer data and financial information safe. Here are a few quick tips:
• Choose a router that includes a solid built-in firewall that doesn’t slow internet speed.
• Consider a router that can enable content filtering to prevent your employees from accessing potentially harmful websites.
• Always choose a strong password for your wifi. A random word of over 12 characters with capital letters, special characters is best.
You should also consider having a separate network and password for guest access if necessary.
So there you go, five easy steps to getting faster and more reliable internet at work. The end result? Your business will be ready to supercharge productivity with less risk of annoying IT problems that can lead to customer and employee complaints. You can make the most of cloud-based tools, take on high profile projects and plan big!
If you would like to know more, check out the Chorus Business Fibre website.
*As detailed Measuring Broadband NZ report September 2023, in comparison between Fibre 300, 4G Fixed wireless and satellite broadband plans.
**Entry level business fibre plan is Small Business Fibre which has average download/upload speeds of 500 Mbps based on Chorus testing, which is faster than the average speeds for Fibre 300, 4G Fixed Wireless, ADSL and VDSL broadband plans based on findings in the Measuring Broadband NZ report, September 2023.
**Small Business Fibre Max is the exception with an average download speed of 920 Mbps based on Chorus testing and an average upload speed of 500 Mbps