Remote work demands reliable broadband. Dropped video calls and slow connections cost productivity—and patience. Here's how to get broadband that actually works for WFH.
What Speed Do You Need for WFH?
| Work Activity | Minimum Speed | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Email & documents | 10Mb | 25Mb |
| Video calls (1 person) | 10Mb | 25Mb |
| HD video calls | 25Mb | 50Mb |
| VPN connection | 25Mb | 50Mb |
| Large file transfers | 50Mb+ | 100Mb+ |
| Multiple simultaneous calls | 50Mb | 100Mb |
The Real Answer
For most WFH setups: 100-300Mb is plenty.
This handles:
- Video calls while partner also calls
- Kids streaming in another room
- Background downloads/uploads
- VPN without slowdown
You don't need gigabit for WFH. Unless you're transferring huge files constantly, 100-300Mb is more than adequate.
What Actually Matters for WFH
1. Reliability Over Speed
A consistent 100Mb connection beats an inconsistent 500Mb one. Look for:
- Fibre-to-home (FTTH) — most reliable
- Virgin Media cable — very reliable
- Avoid FTTC if possible — copper can be unstable
- 5G/4G — variable, not ideal for critical calls
2. Upload Speed
Video calls need upload bandwidth:
- Minimum: 10Mb upload
- Recommended: 25Mb+ upload
Check upload speeds, not just download. SIRO fibre offers 100Mb+ upload; older connections may only have 10-20Mb.
3. Low Latency
For video calls and VPN, latency (ping) matters:
- Fibre: ~5-15ms (excellent)
- Cable: ~10-20ms (good)
- 4G/5G: ~30-50ms (acceptable)
- Satellite: ~50-100ms+ (problematic for calls)
4. No Data Caps
Ensure your plan has unlimited data. WFH uses more than you'd expect with constant video calls and cloud apps.
Best Providers for WFH
For Reliability: SIRO-Based Providers
SIRO fibre is pure fibre-to-home—most reliable for WFH:
| Provider | Speed | Price | Why Good for WFH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone | 1Gb | €25-40/mo | Best SIRO deal |
| Pure Telecom | 500Mb | €35/mo | Best value |
| Digiweb | 500Mb | €45/mo | Best support |
For Urban Areas: Virgin Media
Virgin's cable network is reliable for WFH:
- Consistent speeds
- Good upload (50Mb on most plans)
- No landline needed
Price: €35-55/month
For Wide Availability: Eir/Open Eir FTTH
If SIRO or Virgin isn't available, Eir FTTH works well:
- Check it's FTTH, not FTTC
- Upload speeds are good on pure fibre
- Year-two pricing is expensive—plan to switch
Price: €29.99-45/month (year 1)
WFH Broadband Red Flags
Avoid If Possible:
- FTTC (fibre-to-cabinet) — copper to your home limits speed and reliability
- DSL/ADSL — too slow for modern WFH
- Mobile broadband (4G/5G) — inconsistent for critical work calls
- Satellite — latency kills video calls
Warning Signs Your Current Broadband Won't Work:
- Video calls frequently freeze or drop
- VPN connection unstable
- Upload feels slow (file sharing, screen sharing)
- Speed tests show under 50Mb download or under 10Mb upload
Optimizing Your WFH Setup
1. Use Wired Connection
WiFi is the weak link in most setups.
- Connect your work laptop via ethernet cable
- Buy a USB-C to ethernet adapter if needed
- Wired connection = no WiFi interference
2. Position Your Router
If ethernet isn't possible:
- Work near the router
- Avoid walls/floors between you and router
- Keep router elevated and central
- Away from microwaves, baby monitors, cordless phones
3. Upgrade Your Router
Provider-supplied routers are often basic:
- Consider buying a WiFi 6 router
- Or use provider's router as modem + better router for WiFi
- Mesh systems help larger homes
4. Prioritize Work Traffic
Some routers let you prioritize devices:
- QoS (Quality of Service) settings
- Prioritize your work laptop
- Limit bandwidth to streaming devices during work hours
5. Backup Internet
For critical WFH, have a backup:
- Mobile hotspot from your phone
- Cheap 4G/5G router as standby
- Tether to phone if broadband fails
WFH Broadband Calculator
Your household:
- WFH video calls: +25Mb per person
- Kids at home/streaming: +25Mb
- Partner also WFH: +25Mb
- Smart home devices: +10Mb
- 4K streaming: +25Mb per stream
Add up your needs, then add 50% buffer.
Example:
- You: Video calls (25Mb)
- Partner: WFH calls (25Mb)
- Kids: Streaming (25Mb)
- Buffer: 50%
- Recommended: 115Mb minimum, so get a 150Mb+ plan
Provider Recommendations by Situation
Solo WFH, Light Use
Pure Telecom 100Mb: €30/month Plenty for one person, occasional calls, email, documents.
Couple, Both WFH
Vodafone 500Mb (SIRO): €35/month Handles two simultaneous video calls with headroom.
Family with Kids
Vodafone 1Gb (SIRO): €40/month Multiple calls + kids streaming + buffer for reliability.
Critical Work (Finance, Legal, etc.)
Vodafone or Pure Telecom on SIRO + 4G backup Reliability is paramount. Have backup ready.
Rural WFH
NBI via Digiweb/Pure Telecom: €40-50/month If NBI available. Otherwise, Imagine wireless or Starlink.
When to Upgrade
Upgrade if:
- Video calls regularly freeze
- VPN disconnects frequently
- Upload feels sluggish
- Working from home more than 2 days/week
- Household has grown (more users)
Don't upgrade if:
- Occasional WFH only
- Current speeds work fine
- Already have 300Mb+ with no issues
Tax Deduction Reminder
You may be able to claim broadband costs on tax.
If working from home:
- Portion of broadband is tax-deductible
- Keep receipts/bills
- Check Revenue.ie for current WFH relief rules
Summary
For reliable WFH broadband in Ireland:
- Get fibre — SIRO or Open Eir FTTH
- 100-300Mb is enough for most WFH
- Prioritize reliability over maximum speed
- Use wired connection for work laptop
- Have backup (mobile hotspot) for critical work
Best WFH providers: Vodafone (SIRO), Pure Telecom, Digiweb
Last updated: January 2026