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What’s the best broadband for working from home?

Work remotely? You’ll need a broadband connection that’s fast and reliable enough to keep everything running smoothly. Here’s our guide on what to look for in broadband for working from home and how much speed you’ll need

By Virgin Media Edit

Published
7 November 2025

Do I need fast broadband to work from home?

Yes! Fast broadband is important for working from home because it helps you stay connected to your colleagues and do your work more efficiently. If you need to send emails with large attachments or use cloud-based software, having a fast connection means that files upload and download quickly so that you can get on with your work without wasting time waiting for things to load. 

It also helps keep your video calls with colleagues crystal clear so you can hear everyone, and they can hear you. With slower internet, your screen can freeze or calls can drop out, which makes communicating with your colleagues remotely harder than it needs to be. 

And if other people in your home are also using the internet for working, streaming or gaming, a slow connection can become overloaded and make things even worse. Fast broadband ensures that everyone can use the internet at the same time at home without interruptions or slowdowns, providing you with a stress-free working environment so that you can focus on your job without technical difficulties. 


How can I improve my home-working WiFi setup?

To improve your home-working internet setup, start by ensuring you have a fast and reliable broadband connection. If your internet is slow, consider upgrading to a higher-speed package or switching to our fibre-optic broadband to get the best performance at home.

You can also optimise your WiFi connection to make sure it reaches every part of your home. Try these tips:

  • Place your router in a central location in your home for better coverage.

  • Use a wired Ethernet connection for important tasks like video calls or large uploads.

  • Pause heavy internet use (such as streaming or gaming) during work hours.

  • Upgrade your router if it’s old, as newer models offer faster speeds and better coverage.

  • Use a WiFi extender or mesh network if your home has weak signal areas. 

If your internet still struggles after optimising your WiFi setup, it may be time for an upgrade. We’ve got a range of superfast options to suit every home, and thanks to One Touch Switch, it’s now easier than ever to switch to Virgin Media.

Be sure to have a look at all of our broadband deals and compare our speeds to find the best package for you.

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What broadband speed do I need to work from home?

The best broadband speed for working from home depends on what you do and how many people share your connection. 

  • Basic tasks: If your day mainly involves sending emails, browsing the web, or using office apps, speeds around 100 Mbps are usually enough. 

  • Video calls and cloud software: For regular meetings or collaborative tools like Google Drive or Microsoft Teams, aim for 200 Mbps or more to avoid lag. 

  • Creative or technical work: If you’re a designer, video editor, or software developer regularly handling large files, you’ll benefit from faster fibre speeds (350 Mbps+)

Also, think about who else is online. If your family streams, games, or studies at the same time, faster speeds keep everyone connected without slowdowns. 

Want to have a look at what speed you really need? Check out our guide to all the different broadband speeds.


What’s the best broadband package for working from home?

The best broadband for working from home is one that is fast, reliable, and has enough speed for all of your daily tasks. A fibre broadband connection is often the best choice because it provides high speeds and a stable connection that can handle video calls, large file downloads, and multiple users without slowing down.

Fibre broadband with at least 200 Mbps is ideal for most remote workers, but you may need higher speeds if multiple people in your home are using the internet at the same time while you’re working. 

Not sure what you can get at your home? Use our helpful broadband postcode checker to see all of the packages available in your area.

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Things to look for when choosing broadband for working from home

Working from home smoothly depends on more than just having a broadband connection. From speed and reliability to upload performance and router quality, different factors can affect how well your internet handles video calls, file sharing, and multitasking.

When working from home, you need a broadband connection that is fast enough for your daily tasks. We’d recommend a  speed of at least 50-100 Mbps for smooth video calls, file downloads, and multitasking all of your different tasks at once. If multiple people in your home use the internet at the same time, you may need 200 Mbps or more to avoid slowdowns. Faster speeds help prevent delays and make your work more efficient.

A stable internet connection is just as important as speed. Frequent disconnections or slowdowns can interrupt video meetings and affect your productivity. Fibre-optic broadband is the most reliable option because it provides a steady connection, even during peak hours. If fibre isn’t available, cable broadband is a good alternative. Check customer reviews to see how reliable a provider is before choosing a plan.

Most people focus on download speeds, but upload speed is just as important for working from home. If you send large files, upload videos, or regularly join video calls, a good upload speed is key for your files to upload quickly and your video calls to stay crystal clear.

If others in your home are using the internet for streaming, gaming, or online classes, your connection might slow down. In a household with multiple users, choosing a higher-speed plan (200 Mbps or more) helps ensure that everyone has a smooth experience. Some broadband providers offer plans designed for homes with many connected devices.

Your router plays a big role in how strong and stable your WiFi feels at home, especially in larger homes or areas where the signal drops off, also known as “dead spots”. Upgrading to a newer, high-performance router can boost speed and reliability across all your devices. 

For even better coverage, consider a mesh WiFi system, which can extend coverage seamlessly across every room. 

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Can I use a hotspot to work from home?

Yes, you can use a mobile hotspot to work from home, but it depends on your internet needs. A mobile hotspot uses your phone’s data connection to provide internet access, which can be useful if you don’t have broadband or need a backup.

Using your phone's data or a WiFi dongle works well for basic tasks like checking emails, browsing websites, and using online documents, but, if you need to make video calls, download large files, or use cloud-based software, a hotspot may not be fast or stable enough. 

You’ll also have to consider if you have any data limits and the strength of your signal. Many mobile data plans have a limit on how much high-speed internet you can use before speeds slow down, and you use a hotspot for long hours, you may run out of high-speed data quickly, leading to slower internet that can make working difficult. Some network providers offer unlimited hotspot plans, but they may still reduce speeds after a certain amount of usage.


Upgrade your home-working setup with the Virgin Media broadband

When it comes to broadband for working from home, we’ve got you covered. Our superfast fibre broadband is great for keeping your connection fast and reliable all day-long, featuring speeds of up to 1130 Mbps and beyond with our gigabit broadband.

And with our WiFi guarantee, you get the peace of mind that your internet will always be fast enough for all of your file downloads, video calls, and whatever else you need the internet for at work. 

Check out all of our broadband deals and enter your postcode to see all of the packages available in your area.

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