As more businesses opt to operate remotely, the need for video conferencing skyrocketed in the past year. Video conferencing eliminates the need for travel as everybody can attend meetings and collaborate wherever they are in the world. According to Owl Labs, roughly 62% of employees between 22 and 65 say they work remotely at least occasionally, with that number set to increase in the next 3 years. The pandemic will have a lasting effect on the way we do business. It’s time to consider implementing a unified communication strategy for your business and take advantage of its features, such as video conferencing.  

Download and Upload Speed

To ensure a smooth experience your internet speed should be as high as you can afford. Video conferencing requires at least 8mbps download and 1.5mbps upload speed per user. Download speed refers to how long it takes to download megabits of data from a server. Upload speed refers to how long it takes to send megabits of information from your computer to another device or server on the internet. For businesses, a good upload speed is required as you will be uploading video files, audio files and data during a video conference. 

A fast internet speed is essential for video conferencing and remote working, but there are other factors to consider.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth refers to the rate of data being downloaded from a server to your computer and is about capacity and not speed. The larger it is, the more data can be downloaded. With Video Conferencing, it is important to maintain a consistent speed and that you have the necessary bandwidth to cope with the constant video and audio being sent and received. 

To calculate how much bandwidth you need, you have to look at factors such as: 

  • How many users will be video conferencing at the same time on the same network?
  • Will network connections be wired or over WIFI? 
  • Will you or your team be using features such as screen sharing and file sharing? 

Connection Stability

Connection stability can be even more important than speed and bandwidth as data is carried around in small packets, and your internet connection could be experiencing packet loss. Poor connection stability can cause frustrations as it will waste time and hinder productivity during meetings. 

During the first few weeks of the lockdown, users reported a lack of internet connection due to the high demand as everyone worked from home. High volume usage does put a strain on a network. Service providers have rectified the issues to supply the high demand, but there are a few things you can do at home or in the office if you struggle with the jittery and lagging video quality.  

  • Use a wired connection rather than a wireless connection or Wifi
  • Disconnect unnecessary devices and applications
  • Switch from High Definition to Standard Definition 

How we can help you select the best internet package for your video conferencing needs

Having a fast and stable internet connection is very important to the way we do business in the modern world. When it comes to choosing between the different speed packages, there are a few things to factor in, such as the size of your organisation, budget etc. Luckily, we are here to help you make the right decision to suit your business needs.

Simply request a callback, and one of our friendly advisors will be in contact with you for a free assessment and answer any questions you might have.