Remote working is here to stay, whether working in a mixed pattern or full-time – what is certain is that many are spending a lot more time in their homes. What is less certain is whether home systems are set up in the best possible way to support this new way of working on top of normal leisure activities such as internet browsing, video calls and gaming. 

As a result of the pandemic, the European population were more dependent than ever on online services for entertainment, shopping, keeping in touch, getting information, home working and home schooling. By 2021, the share of EU households with internet access had risen to 92%, some 20 percentage points higher than in 2011 (72 %) according to a Eurostat report. 

In the UK for example, Ofcom reported that by the end of 2020, about 94% of UK homes had internet access, up from about 89% in 2019, with an average of 3 hours 37 minutes a day on smartphones, tablets and computers (nine minutes more than in 2019) as well as an average of 1 hour 21 minutes a day watching online services. In Germany, according DataReportal the number of internet users increased by 1.0 million (+1.3%) between 2020 and 2021.

With more internet users than ever before relying more heavily on their home set up, as well as seeking faster and more seamless internet connectivity – investing in quality Wi-Fi equipment is a natural next step. The same goes for those who are painstakingly relying on the same patchy internet connectivity as before the pandemic. If you’re continuing to deal with drop outs and long upload and download times, it’s time to make a change.

We know that investing in technology for the better and long-term, requires knowing what’s available and what will best suit your home needs. Whether looking to upgrade to a new router following Wi-Fi pressures experienced during the pandemic, or moving to a new home and starting from scratch, there are plenty of options to consider. We have put together four main areas to think about when choosing what equipment to invest in. 

Wi-Fi Capability 
Wi-Fi is changing, with faster-than-ever internet speeds with next-gen Wi-Fi technology and now is the time to catch up with it. Wi-Fi 6 will deliver four times more capacity, making it possible to connect more devices than ever to home networks. In addition, smart powered routers enable even more intelligent and powerful Wi-Fi throughout the home. D-Link’s EAGLE PRO AI series for example includes routers and mesh systems which combine the intuitive Wi-Fi 6 technology with artificial intelligence to offer incredible Wi-Fi coverage and speed.

Wi-Fi Flexibility
For maximum flexibility, it could be worth investing in a smart mesh system which work to blanket the home with one seamless connection. D-Link’s EAGLE PRO AI AX3200 Mesh Systems offers dual-band wireless speeds of up to 3.2 Gbps with the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology including 1024 QAM, MU—MIMO, and OFDMA to reach every corner of a smart home and reduce blind spots. 

Moreover, this piece of D-Link technology is designed for the modern device-dense smart home. As a result, it offers a built-in AI Wi-Fi Optimiser which continuously connects to the best Wi-Fi channel, as well as an AI Traffic Optimiser which prioritises the most critical internet usage. This ensures 4k streaming, gaming and video calls, run seamlessly and without interruption.  

Wi-Fi Management 
Wi-Fi management is crucial to a healthy and connected home life. From managing controls and access to reviewing network usage – this is all available in one place. 
D-Link’s EAGLE PRO AI app comes with a built-in intelligent AI Assistant which automatically reviews the network and sends recommendations and reports. This app is also fully compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and allows users to use voice control to easily manage their network in the most convenient way.   

Wi-Fi Security
As the digital world develops so do cyber threats, though these risks can never be completely eradicated – improving technology set ups and updating systems accordingly mean they can be significantly reduced. Choosing to upgrade a router with WPA3 built-in is already a step up in terms of securing home Wi-Fi. This can go along way to keep personal information as well as family members safe from attackers.

Working from home is now standard procedure for people across Europe, and coupled with the meteoric growth of internet users and services including online shopping, streaming and gaming capabilities – it is no secret that better internet is undeniably required. D-Link is committed to providing quality and affordable Wi-Fi products to support your needs. To find out more about what is available and what best suits your needs visit us at: https://eu.dlink.com.