For your particular remote projects, figuring out the ideal Optimum Internet plan and speed is essential to guaranteeing efficiency and success. Poor internet connectivity can disrupt communication, hinder collaboration, and slow down tasks, leading to frustration and decreased efficiency.

In this blog, we’ll explore a range of tips and strategies to help you enhance the connectivity and reliability of your Optimum Internet plans while working remotely.

Understand Your Tasks

Understanding the makeup of your remote projects is the first step in figuring out your appropriate internet speed. Think about the following factors:

Video Conferencing

You will require a dependable and quick connection if you frequently engage in video conferencing in order to ensure clear communication without lags or buffering.

File Uploads & Downloads

For maximum efficiency, you will need a faster upload and download speed if your task entails sending huge files.

Streaming & Multimedia

Faster download, streaming, and upload speeds may be necessary for multimedia professionals, designers, and content producers.

Cloud-Based Work

If you rely on cloud-based applications and storage, a stable and speedy connection is crucial for seamless access to your work files and software.

Check Your ISP’s Plans

There are a variety of plans with various speeds offered by various internet service providers (ISPs). To find out about the internet options offered in your area, get in touch with your ISP or visit their website. Pay close attention to the download and upload speeds offered for Optimum packages.

Consider the Number of Users

Consider the number of people who connect to the network along with their online habits if you share an internet connection. Higher speeds are needed if multiple users are streaming, gaming, or making video chats at the same time in order to keep everyone’s performance smooth.

Use Online Speed Tests

You may assess your current internet speed using online speed tests like the ones available on the provider’s official websites and some other credible platforms such as OOkla.com, etc. Run these tests throughout the day to get a sense of how reliable your connection is and when it performs the best.

Understanding your current internet speed is crucial before making any changes. You may check your download and upload speeds using these internet speed testing tools. You can find any areas that need improvement using this baseline measurement.

Review Minimum Requirements

For best performance, many online platforms and software have minimum internet speed requirements. Check the minimum speed specifications for the programs and platforms you frequently use. Frequently, these details can be found on the relevant websites or support pages.

Consider Future Requirements

Your internet speed needs may fluctuate as your remote projects and workload develop. It is a good idea to choose a package that accommodates both your current needs and any potential future expansion of your remote work operations.

Factor in Redundancy

We cannot stress enough as to how crucial it is to have a backup strategy when working remotely. In case your primary connection has problems, think about having a backup internet connection, such as a mobile hotspot.

Consult with Your IT Department

Consult your IT department or tech support staff if your employer offers remote work help. They can advise you on the optimal internet speed based on your particular role and the equipment you utilize.

Upgrade the Plans

Once you have determined your ideal internet speed, contact your ISP to upgrade your plan accordingly. Be aware of any contract terms or fees associated with plan changes.

Consider upgrading your plan if the internet speed you currently have doesn’t satisfy your needs for remote work. To learn about speedier possibilities, speak with your Internet service provider. A faster plan is frequently worthwhile to offer a more comfortable remote work experience.

Use a Wired or Ethernet Connection

Wi-Fi is practical, but a wired Ethernet connection offers a stronger, more dependable connection. If at all possible, use an Ethernet cable to directly connect your computer to your network. This can effectively lower latency and get rid of WiFi-related problems since Ethernet connections are relatively more stable.

Optimize Your Wi-Fi Network

If you must use Wi-Fi, optimize your home network:

• Position your router in the middle of your workspace to ensure uniform coverage there.
• For improved performance, make sure your router is running the most recent Wi-Fi standards.
• To stop bandwidth stealing and unauthorized access, use a strong and distinctive Wi-Fi password.
• To get rid of dead zones, think about using a mesh network or Wi-Fi range extender.

Prioritize Network Traffic

If you have a shared internet connection at home, give priority to important business-related traffic. For a smoother experience, many routers provide Quality of Service (QoS) options that let you give some devices or apps priority.

Update Firmware & Software

To keep your router running the most recent speed enhancements and security patches, regularly update its firmware. Additionally, to ensure compatibility with the most recent networking technologies, keep your hardware and software up to date.

Reduce Network Congestion

Your internet speed may be slowed by network congestion, especially during busy times. To avoid traffic on your ISP’s network, try scheduling bandwidth-intensive activity for off-peak hours or think about using a virtual private network (VPN).

Minimize Background Applications

Background-running programs can use up your internet bandwidth. To free up bandwidth for your work-related duties, close any superfluous background programs, especially those that sync or update automatically.

Use a Wired Phone Connection

Use a wired headset or a landline phone for voice communication if the voice quality is bad during your online sessions. This can lessen audio interruptions and increase call clarity to improve your network signals and there will be a lot fewer disruptions overall.

Invest in Network Hardware

Your internet connectivity can be greatly enhanced by high-quality networking hardware, such as a dependable router and modem. Consider purchasing your own modem and router if the hardware offered by your ISP is substandard if you want better performance and control.

Have a Backup Plan

If your primary internet connection breaks, always have a backup plan. This might be a portable hotspot, a second Internet service provider, or a local open Wi-Fi network. Reliability in remote work requires redundancy.

To Sum Up

In order to ensure efficiency and professional success, it is essential to ascertain the ideal internet speed for your distant assignments. You may choose the ideal internet speed for your requirements by analyzing your tasks, taking into account the number of users, and keeping up with your internet provider’s plans.

Keep in mind that a dependable and quick internet connection is an investment in the effectiveness of your remote work and your general job satisfaction. If you cannot get Optimum Internet for your home network for any reason, you can find similar Spectrum deals to work with on your remote projects!

The post How to Achieve the Most Ideal Optimum Internet Speeds for WFH Projects? appeared first on Derek Time.

Free Tricks To Increase Your WiFi Speed.

The following are the main easy things you can do on your own to help improve your internet:

Add a WiFi password.

Most people are ignorant of this but WiFi passwords are very important. Not only do they protect your network from cyber threats, but also keep out freeloaders who want to use your connection for free. The reason for the slow internet could be because of these freeloaders tapping into your network, So, if you do not already have a password, the first thing you need to do is add one. You’ll notice an improvement in your speeds once the users have been limited.

Limit the devices connected to the router.

Aside from intruders, you also need to look at the number of devices you’ve included in your network. The more the devices are connected, the slower the speed will be. That may be why you’ll notice a drop in performance. So, one of the first things to do is to disconnect the devices you are not using. Some routers are programmed to help with this by prioritizing the devices that need more bandwidth. Either way, just unplug the unused devices and you’ll notice a significant improvement.

Change the channel you are using.

With wireless connections, many channels can be used to transmit signals. It could be that the channel you are using is the same one your neighbors or those around you are using as well. When a channel is overcrowded, you are likely to experience slow internet speed. So, try changing to a different channel. Read the router’s manual or guide, or search for the instructions online, if you are unsure. But there should be a setting that allows changing your channels.

Switch to a wired connection.

By this, we mean connecting your device to the router directly using an ethernet cable. They will transmit data at a faster rate because they don’t need to encrypt them. They also suffer little to no interference from other devices. The only issue would be that your movement will be limited but at least you’ll have a faster internet speed. Just ensure that there are no kinks or knots on the cable that may interfere with data transfer.

Move your router to a central location.

Sometimes the issue is where you’ve placed your router. WiFi signals have a hard time passing through objects especially ones like thick cemented walls. That is why you are always advised to put your router somewhere open, central, and high up. There should be minimal obstacles if at all. It should also be located in such a way that the signal reaches a majority of the house or space, if not all of it. While thinking of location, also consider the devices around the router. There are some electronics, like microwaves that may interfere with the router’s signal. In that case, ensure that you’ve kept the router far away from them.

Restart or Reboot your router.

Sometimes your internet may be lagging because of a caching issue with the router. It could also be that you haven’t updated the router or that there are bugs affecting its firmware. Temporarily switching your router off and then on again may help improve the speed a bit and also update whatever firmware needs updating. Rebooting it, however, may clear the caching issue and free up more space in the router. Although this isn’t something you should do regularly maybe as the last resort.

Spring clean your device.

If you’ve tried all the tricks above and your device still registers slow internet speed, then it might be the problem. Try cleaning and updating your device. Ensure all browsers, applications, and anti-viruses are up to date. Clean out the cache history. Stop any background apps and automatic downloads. You can also change the internet settings of each application to low usage.

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Cloud computing has been around for several decades now, but only just started becoming popular in the past few years. Reports show that the cloud service industry is expected to grow to a value of $623.3 billion by 2023.

If you aren’t convinced yet of the benefits of cloud computing, look no further. Below are five benefits your IT department will see when you invest in cloud computing.

1. Greater Scalability

It’s hard to grow your IT infrastructure if everything is in-house. You need to buy new hardware every time you need to expand. Then if things start slowing down, you’re stuck with a lot of expensive equipment.

You can scale your cloud services up and down as much as you need to. All you need to do is change the service level you’re paying for.

2. Better Security

Consumer privacy is a big concern for anyone that stores customer data. There are more risks online than ever, and nobody is immune to cyberattacks.

If you can’t afford to implement the right security yourself, you can rely on a cloud provider for protection. They have already done the hard work of securing their systems, so you can rely on them to house your sensitive information.

It pays to learn more about the security risks businesses face today. Talk to a Managed IT firm like Be Structured to learn everything you need to know.

3. Data Redundancy

Do you have a system in place to save your most vital information? If not, you’re putting your business at risk.

Storing your data with a cloud service means you can take advantage of their redundant systems. All your data will be backed up at multiple points. You won’t need to worry about an accident happening and losing vital information.

4. Lower Costs

It costs a lot of money to build a robust IT infrastructure. You have to invest in hardware and an IT team to manage your systems.

You can reduce costs by offloading your infrastructure to the cloud. You can get up and running right away and reduce the IT staff you need to maintain your systems.

5. More Access

It takes a lot of work to make your business information available online in-house. You’ll need the hardware to house your information and the experts to run things. It makes more sense to use a cloud provider to provide online access to your projects and files.

You can make use of online project management and document sharing to provide access to your business information everywhere. Your team will be able to work from anywhere in the world as if they were in the office.

There Are More Benefits of Cloud Computing Out There

The above benefits of cloud computing are only the start. You won’t understand how much cloud computing will help your business until you start seeing the results for yourself. Start your migration today to see the benefits first-hand.

Do you want to learn more about how technology is impacting business? Head over to our blog to see the newest trends in tech.

The post 5 Great IT Benefits of Cloud Computing appeared first on Derek Time.

To help you avoid the stress and miscommunication that might occur due to slow speed internet connection, we have listed the top 9 countries in the world with the highest internet speed.

So, let’s dig in!

Top Countries with the Highest Internet Speed Worldwide

Taiwan

With an average download speed of up to 85.02 Mbps, Taiwan delivers the fastest internet speed among all countries. It is a well-developed region with most cities having access to fiber-optic technology – the fastest internet connection in the world. However, Taiwan also has cities and rural places where internet speeds are below average.

Singapore

Singapore Famous for its high standards in the digital world, Singapore has the second most fast speed internet speed in the world. You can get up to 70.86 Mbps of average internet speed in this country.

Sweden

Competing well with the Asian countries, Sweden also provides high-speed internet to its residents. Every Swede finds it easy to connect it to the network and enjoy a seamless online experience. Work from home and starting an online career is super convenient in Sweden.

Here you can get up to 500 Mbps of average internet speed. Some providers even offer as high as 10 GB per second, which is the fastest speed worldwide for home networks. As a cherry on top, you can enjoy the internet without any speech restriction or network surveillance.

Denmark

Next on our list is Denmark. With 49.19 Mbps average internet speeds, the country has a well-advanced internet infrastructure. People living in this country use the internet for their daily home and work-related activities.

Japan

Despite being one of the most populous countries in the world, Japan successfully secures the 5^th position in the list of countries with the highest internet speed. You can access up to 42.77 Mbps average internet speed without any hindrance.

With majority of Japanese spending several hours on social media every day, the country’s internet usage has reached new heights in the last ten years.

Luxembourg

One of the robust investment management centers in Europe, Luxembourg has stayed on top of all technological developments. The country delivers up to 41.69 Mbps of average internet speed and stands at 6^th position in the world’s highest-speed internet providing countries.

Netherlands

Netherlands is no doubt a small country, but it offers a good average internet speed of up to 40.21 Mbps to its residents.

Switzerland

Switzerland is famous worldwide as one of the most serene places in the world. People have complete freedom to access anything they want on the internet.

With average speeds up to 38.85 Mbps, Switzerland is a perfect place for people who want to visit the Alps and manage work side by side as well. Just like Sweden, you get to enjoy the internet without any restrictions.

Norway

Finally, the last one on our list is the Scandinavian country, Norway. If you decide to take a break from Fjords, you can find your tour guide at a blazing fast speed of 38.85 Mbps.

Summary: Countries with the Highest Average Internet Speed Worldwide

Bottom Line

You can never understand the value of a good internet speed unless you experience numerous lags and delays. The endless loading and waiting to download a small file is enough to make you lose your temper – turning even a brief trip into eternity. We hope this list helps you in making the right decision when you decide to manage remote working with your traveling schedule.

Having a high-speed internet connection is beneficial only if you ensure good security while accessing it. We would suggest you use a VPN whenever you travel abroad and install an authentic antivirus to keep your mobile and computer safe.

The post Top 9 Countries with the Highest Internet Speed Worldwide appeared first on Derek Time.

Danger Signs

The ability to identify danger whenever you see one is essential, and that’s why we want you to know some danger signs on the internet. The following are danger signs to watch out for:

• If someone insists on getting your phone number or your home address
• If someone sends an email to you and the email contains pictures that make you feel uncomfortable, but you realise that you can’t show anyone else
• If someone tells you to keep his or her chat as a secret
• If someone says, you’ll land into trouble if you discuss the things going on with authority.
• If someone wants you to send pictures of yourself especially in ways that make you feel uncomfortable
• If someone tells you certain things and instructs you not to disclose it to anyone at all
• If someone wants to meet you but tells you not to inform anyone

Internet Safety Tips

It’s one thing to identify danger. It’s another thing to stay away from it. To stay away from danger, you must know some safety tips. Here are some safety tips you need to know:

• Don’t mention your real name to a strange over the internet.
• If you must meet with anyone from a chatroom, make sure it’s in a public place and go along with one with an older person who can protect you.
• Don’t give anybody your phone number or home address for any reason.
• Never send your pictures to strangers over the internet.
• If you chat with someone and the person asks you to keep the chat as a secret, inform an adult and let the adult advise you on what to do.
• If anyone threatens you with anything, report to the appropriate authority

Conclusion

Always bear in mind that there’re some dangerous users on the internet. You should neither share a personal file with strangers nor disclose any personal information to them. If you become suspicious of any user, report to appropriate authority immediately. If you abide by everything in this article, you’ll be safe.

The post How to Stay Safe Online appeared first on Derek Time.

5G means that a lot more services can be available online. But even so, changing your office location can involve many arrangements and expenses. Firms like Mustard IT, who offer IT relocation services in London, can ensure that the transition is smooth and secure.

What is 5G?

The ‘G’ refers to the generation of wireless technology, and each is distinct from the next in data transmission speeds and encoding methods. 1G was analogue voice, while 2G brought us digital voice from technologies like GSM, CDMA and TDMA. 3G brought mobile data and speeds up to a few megabits per second, with EVDO, HSPA and UMTS. 4G took things forward with LTE and WiMAX, with speeds of hundreds of megabits, and even gigabits. Each generation has represented new technologies that have transformed mobile use.

The fifth generation is set to expand mobile use further by not just connecting people, but also a range of items, devices and machines. It will offer peak speeds in multiple gigabits, extremely low latency (the time taken for data to travel from one point to another) and huge capacity.

Where is it available?

Most 5G networks were first launched in 2019, with some in 2018. New networks are introduced daily, and these are also constantly expanding.

In the UK, the first to launch a 5G network in May 2019 was EE. This began in just six cities and spread to 50 by the end of the year. EE was shortly followed into the 5G market in 2019 by most major UK mobile carriers. In chronological order, these were: BT, Vodafone, Three and O2. Sky Mobile launched its 5G network in January 2020.

Each carrier varies in terms of their coverage, claiming to provide 5G in up to 50 UK towns and cities. However, this may mean some, but not all areas within cities. Coverage is improving and is expected to be much more widespread by 2022.

In the US, 5G is currently offered by Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, and in Australia by Telstra. Large-scale 5G operations are underway in China across 50 cities, and networks has also been launched in South Korea, Japan, Spain and Switzerland.

How does 5G work?

One thing that sets 5G apart from 4G is that it operates on three different spectrum band. Each band makes a significant difference in terms of usage.

Low-band spectrum include networks that are lower than 1GHz, and with speeds that do not usually exceed 100Mbps. This band is the one mainly used for LTE in the US, and T-Mobile provides the widest coverage. Though speeds are lower with low-band spectrum, the coverage and wall penetration are more impressive.

With speeds up to 1Gbps and lower latency, mid-band spectrum networks are more advanced in their capabilities. Unfortunately, the penetration of buildings is not as effective as low-band spectrum. In the US, Sprint uses Massive MIMO to improve wall penetration and coverage on the mid-band, as well as beamforming to strengthen the service.

High-band spectrum is also known as mmWave, with speeds up to 10Mbps and extremely low latency. However, this band fails to deliver in terms of coverage and wall penetration. High-band spectrum is currently driven by AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

Will 5G be faster?

5G will certainly provide faster internet speeds. On average, it is around 20 times faster than 4G, and in some cases faster than Wi-Fi. But this does vary depending on the carrier, country, location and device.

In 2017, 13 minimum requirements for 5G were created by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an agency of the United Nations. After this, a set of standards were made by the 3rd Generation Partnership Group (3GPP). These standards include peak data downlink rates of 20Gbps and uplink rates of 10Gbps, per base station. In the real world this equates to download speeds of 100Mbps and upload speeds of 50Mbps.

In terms of latency, 4 milliseconds is the standard, with 1 millisecond in particular circumstances. 5G base stations should support movement up to 310mph and significantly more connected devices than 4G.

What phones are available with 5G?

In the UK, there are currently eight 5G supported mobile phones available across six carriers. These models are Oppo Reno 5G, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G, Huawei Mate 20 X 5G, LG V50 ThinQ 5G, Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G, Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G and Samsung Galaxy S10 5G.

In the US, the additional 5G phones available are the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren Edition from T-Mobile and the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G from Sprint. With Verizon, Motorolo’s 5G Moto Mod 5G phones are also available: the Moto Z4, Moto Z3 and Moto Z2 Force.

What else can we expect from 5G?

The new generation of phones brings greater promise than just mobile connectivity. Another technology on the cusp of mass production is the automated vehicle. 5G networks can be used to share information between drivers on locations, traffic and road conditions. Information can also be shared between automakers and drivers. Public infrastructure, such as flood drains and street lights will also be more easily and efficiently tracked and managed remotely.

5G will also bring vast improvements to the capabilities and communications of IoT (internet of things) devices, and also in health care, where it can help with telemedicine, remote recovery and precision surgery. 5G can reduce risks in many industries by providing the remote control of heavy machinery. These are just some of the growing applications of 5G.

5G has yet to reach its potential in terms of coverage and penetration, and it is still limited to a certain number of mobile phone models. These are the challenges that the new generation of phone still must face before widespread adoption is realised. But when this is finally here, the new world of 5G will bring many significant changes.

The post What Can We Expect from 5G? appeared first on Derek Time.