The definition of broadband internet according to the FCC is at least 25 Mbps download speeds and 3 Mbps upload speeds, so your 25 Mbps will barely qualify as broadband internet. Still, it should be plenty to work from home, depending on your situation. Let’s consider a few factors.

Actual Speed

The first thing to consider is what your actual download speed is. While your plan may advertise 25 Mbps, the reality may be something much worse. There are numerous speed tests online that will test your download speed (how fast you can receive data), your upload speed (how fast you can send data), and your ping rate (the delay between sending a request and when the reply starts to come in).

Performing this test may bring the good news that you’re actually getting a full 25 Mbps or more. As long as you’re close, you should be good. But if your actual tested speed (particularly during work hours) is closer to 10-15 Mbps, you might not have enough performance to have a smooth day at work.

Number of Devices

Another important factor to consider is how many devices are connected to the internet at the same time. If you are like most people, this number is higher than you think. It’s not just your computer and cell phone. You may have other devices like tablets lying around that are also connected and using some of the bandwidth.

This number will be particularly high if you have smart devices in your home. Your doorbell, thermostat, and maybe even a few lamps could be connected to your home network and using up some of your download speed.

If other people are at home during your work hours, this could also have a big effect. A lamp on standby waiting for directions from your smart home system isn’t going to be using a lot of the bandwidth, but a kid or roommate streaming Netflix in the other room could be using a significant portion.

If there are only a few devices connected, you should be fine. If you have a lot, and particularly ones that will use a lot of bandwidth, then 25 Mbps might not be enough for you.

Online Work Activities

Even if you’re not getting the full 25 Mbps promised, you may have plenty if most of your work is offline with the occasional email or web page. Browsing and emailing don’t require a lot of bandwidth and if that’s all you’re doing, you can get away with a lower download speed.

But if you are often sending and receiving large files, participating in multi-way video calls, or streaming lots of videos for work, you’re gonna need a good portion of that 25 Mbps. You could get by with just 25 Mbps as long as you don’t have too many other devices online, but it would still be worth considering an upgrade.

Conclusion

25 Mbps can be enough to work from home. It might not be enough if your actual speed is less than 25, if you have a lot of other devices connected to your home network, and if your online activities require a higher bandwidth. Even if 1 or 2 of these are true, while you could get away with 25 Mbps, upgrading could provide a smoother and more stress-free working experience.