While ITS can maintain required infrastructure for campus classrooms, these resources vary widely when instruction is delivered from remote locations. While at home, you will need a broadband (cable or DSL) connection that has the bandwidth for video conferencing and streaming. You will need at least 3.2Mbps outbound and 4.0Mbps inbound in order to video conference effectively. You can test your internet speed at www.speedtest.net
Troubleshooting your Internet connection
Test your Internet speed
Test your connection speed to see if you have enough bandwidth for University-supported collaboration applications. In general, you can conduct voice-only calls with very little bandwidth but need more for high-quality video and audio.
Teams can deliver HD video quality in under 1.2Mbps. More details…
Webex requires approximately 1.5Mbps for high quality video and up to 3.0Mbps for high definition video. More details…
Practical Tips for Fixing a Slow Connection
- Keep your wireless router in the open and not hidden by plants or furniture. The fewer the obstructions, the better the signal.
- If you are connected to your at-home wireless network, move closer to your wi-fi router. The signal strength is stronger when you are closer.
- Reboot your router. Most routers have a reset button, and but if you are unsure, check instructions provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Note: Your internet router can take up to 10 minutes to fully reboot.
- Restart your computer, if your computer is not connecting to the network but other devices are still working online.
- Close other programs and disconnect devices that consume bandwidth. Limit non-essential activities (such as Netflix streaming or gaming) while you are working.
- You may need to replace older routers because radios weaken with age. Retail devices are not made to last as long as business class devices.
When to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Poor performance: If you notice degraded performance on all your devices, contact your ISP. Many factors that impact internet speed are managed by your ISP, such as distance from central office (your local connection to the Internet) and how many people are using this leg. Also, cabling from the street to the house or inside the house can affect their throughput.
No service: If you do not have Internet service at the location of your home office, contact a local ISP. In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, several internet and telecom service providers have pledged to offer free access to the internet or increased data allowances to ensure people can get online during this unprecedented time.
Remote Access Technology
A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to securely connect remotely to UConn’s network as if you were on campus. While it can enable you to access some restricted services, it does impact network performance. You can access many of UConn’s applications and services without VPN by logging in with Single Sign On or another authentication process. Examples include Office 365 (email, Teams, OneDrive), library resources, G Suite, and Webex. If you are using services that do not require a VPN, consider not using it.