Are you someone who recently joined this work-from-home regime and found out that your internet isn’t as great as you thought?
Well, don’t worry. We have curated this blog for you to discover the best internet options for your remote work. From speed and availability to customer services, we will discuss everything about the Internet service providers suitable for remote work.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
Top Internet Providers for Work from Home in the U.S
Here is a table with a summary of the top internet service providers (ISP) in the U.S. when working from home.
| Top ISPs For WFH | Availability | Connection Type | Max Download Speeds |
| AT&T | 21 states | Fiber | 5 Gig |
| Verizon Fios | 9 states | Fiber | 2 Gig |
| Spectrum | 41 states | Cable | 1 Gig |
| Google Fiber | 19 states | Fiber | 8 Gig |
| Xfinity | 35+ states | Cable & Fiber | 1.2 Gig |
* Speeds and availability may vary from area to area.
AT&T Fiber
Best in: Fiber Optic Internet & Coverage
Our first pick is AT&T, a fiber-based internet connection. It comes with no data caps and annual contracts. The only point of concern is the availability, which is limited to some states.
Speed: AT&T provides hyper-fast and consistent speeds for all your activities. The speeds range from 100 Mbps to 5 Gig. This makes it an ideal option for both intensive and casual work from home.
Reliability: AT&T offers fiber which is the most reliable internet connection. Also, the whopping 5 Gig speed is massive and great for those who have multiple systems to run while working from home.
Customer Support: According to the Customer Satisfaction Report, AT&T has a 4.51/5 overall rating.
Spectrum
Best in: Wide Availability & No Contracts
Spectrum is a great choice for people on a budget who want a secure and reliable connection. Whether you have a family or live alone, you can save when you bundle up its internet with TV service.
Spectrum has wide availability and comes with no contracts. However, there are price hikes after the promotional period. Other details to note include:
Speed: Spectrum Internet plans offer two tiers 500 Mbps and 1000 Mbps. With 1000 Mbps, you can carry on work-from-home duties, including video conferencing and file sharing.
Reliability: Spectrum is reliable with its speeds, and there is no throttling unless it is a very busy time. With features like network control, connected devices protection, and secure browsing, you can rely on this when working from home or having sensitive data.
Customer Support: The customer support is decent with 24/7 call support. There is also My Spectrum App that allows access to your account. You can get Auto Pay and never forget to pay the bills on time. The app offers troubleshooting assistance, and if at any point the customer needs help, the online chat and call service is available.
Verizon Fios
Best in: Fiber Optic Coverage
Verizon Fios is one of the most reliable ISPs. There are symmetrical speeds i.e., you get the same download and upload speed and no data caps. However, the downside is that it is only available in some select areas.
Speed: Speed is the most important thing when working from home on heavy software and editing tools, etc. With Verizon Fios, you have speed tiers ranging from 300 Mbps to 2 Gig.
Reliability: Verizon Fios is known for its reliable connection and speed. Also if there are lags or outages, the backend team is quick to resolve those, so they uphold the smooth services.
Customer Support: Verizon has a straightforward installation process. Their customer support is great and reliable. There is also help through the 24/7 Tech Support Pro through a priority queue via the phone.
Google Fiber
Best in: Ultra-Fast Speeds & Simple
Google Fiber is a new player in the internet provider game but has quickly built a reputation for delivering lightning-fast, symmetrical internet speeds. However, its availability is limited to select cities.
Speed: It has tailored plans, from lighter usage to heavier ones, or as Google Fiber describes it “where the busy multi-tasking home needs are present, where work depends on a great internet, and life runs on it.” It offers 3 plans from 1 Gig to a massive 8 Gig speed.
Reliability: Google Fiber has cutting-edge technology, is future-proof, and is always on for creators, remote workers, and gaming hustlers.
Customer Support: Google Fiber also has great 24/7 customer service and easy steps to troubleshoot from home. Google Fiber’s goal is to pick up customers’ concerns within 30 seconds or less to reduce friction.
Xfinity
Best in: Biggest Cable Internet Provider
Xfinity is last on the list. It is known for its coverage and fast speed, making it a great option for remote workers and those with big households.
Speed: Xfinity has consistent speeds. The speed tiers offered are from 300 Mbps to 1200 Mbps. The variety of speed options helps people choose a speed tier based on their needs.
Reliability: Xfinity has an extensive network infrastructure. According to an article, it has some of the fastest residential plans. They have a significant investment in technology upgrades and are deploying fiber optic internet too.
Customer Support: Xfinity has good 24/7 overall customer support and an app to troubleshoot and resolve issues faster. There are also many self-help videos and blogs on issues and channel numbers to help customers with their queries that can be answered with just one click. Plus, it has a great chat assistant to help at all times.
Which Is the Right ISP for Working from Home
With remote work, the internet is an essential part to consider, and making the right choice makes a good investment. The right ISP can significantly impact your productivity and overall working experience. It is important to check for speed, reliability, availability, and affordability.
| So, which ISP should you go for?Best Overall: Xfinity is a great all-around choice with fast speeds and wide availability. Since Xfinity covers 3 central regions of the U.S.A., you’ll likely find an Xfinity service at your address.Best for Fiber Optic Speed: Verizon Fios and AT&T offer symmetrical speeds, which are perfect for remote work that involves uploading large files or video calls. This is great for people doing managerial work and are always on calls or downloading and uploading documents.Best for Affordability: Spectrum offers good internet speeds at competitive prices, making it a great choice for those on a budget. Best for Ultra-Fast Speeds: Google Fiber leads the pack in fiber internet when it comes to offering blistering-fast internet speeds that are ideal for heavy-duty tasks. For instance, development, heavy video editing, virtual conferences, etc. |
No matter which provider you choose, make sure to select a plan that meets your work-from-home requirements.
According to an article on Reviews.org, a speed of 100 Mbps is enough for most remote workers. With that, the upload speed should be at least 10 Mbps. Meanwhile, a 25 Mbps speed is okay for those not downloading heavy files, video conferencing, streaming on YouTube, or delivering heavy files –this too on a single device.
By picking one of the ISPs mentioned above, you’ll be ready to tackle all sorts of work-from-home to-do’s, such as virtual meetings, file transfers, or collaboration projects that come your way. But make sure to choose the right speeds for your needs.
Bonus: Tips to Make Your WFH Efficient
- Build a Morning Routine
It is important to start your day just like a normal office workday. Keeping your morning habits intact makes your mind ready for work.
- Set Your Goals
You need to set daily and weekly goals to achieve a steady WFH situation. Use daily objectives to mark your to-do lists by the end day.
You can use productivity apps like Todoist, Evernote, Asana, etc. These apps help align your goals and define and overcome hurdles.
- Give Yourself a Break
If you just started working from home, you might feel bored and tired. But you can plan to interact with peers, get a short walk around in the breaks, go for a coffee run with a colleague, or spend time with your family and enjoy healthy meals and conversations.
This will keep your mind fresh, boost your productivity, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Designated Workspace
Lastly, create a designated space when working from home. It should be different from the room you sleep in. There has to be a proper working setup with the basics, such as a desk, comfortable seat, and all your essentials nearby.
And remember as the wise say, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” It signifies the importance of keeping a balance between your work and life.
