Home Internet Access
While VCU recognizes that home internet access may come with challenges in certain geographic areas throughout the metropolitan area, the state, and across the nation, it is imperative that ALL currently-enrolled students maintain a reliable, fast home internet connection.
Below you will find the requirements for home internet access for ALL currently-enrolled students at VCU as well as a list of resources such as the United States Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program which helps households apply for and establish home internet access at a reduced cost.
ALL currently-enrolled students taking classes at VCU must have a reliable, fast home internet connection to be able to complete their coursework while off-campus. The following requirements are set as the minimum acceptable level of access based on both speed and latency.
These requirements are based primarily on the FCC's Broadband Speed Guide and take specific criteria into account such as the use of teleconferencing software such as Zoom of Google Meet, as well as the need to streaming video lectures from VCU's video-hosting platform, Kaltura.
All stated specifications are based on standard measurement principles of internet connectivity such as download/upload speed expressed in megabits-per-second (Mbps), as well as latency expressed in milliseconds (ms).
| App/Activity | Minimum Download/Upload Speed (Mbps) with Latency (ms) |
| Adobe Creative Cloud Apps & File Sync | 25/25 Mbps with < 50ms latency |
|---|---|
| App2Go Virtual Apps | 25/25 Mbps with < 25ms latency |
| Canvas Course Navigation/Assignments | 15/15 Mbps with < 75ms latency |
| Citrix Remote Desktop Connectivity | 25/25 Mbps with < 25ms latency |
| Google Workspace Apps & File Sync | 25/25 Mbps with < 50ms latency |
| Kaltura (Streaming Video Playback) | 25/10 Mbps with < 50ms latency |
| Kaltura (Video Upload/Capture) | 25/25 Mbps with < 50ms latency |
| Top Hat Active Learning Apps (iOS/Android/Web) | 25/25 Mbps with < 25ms latency |
| Zoom (Video Conferencing) | 25/25 Mbps with < 50ms latency |
To check your home internet connection to determine if it meets the requirements, we recommend that you visit a speed-test website. We've listed several below which can help you assess whether or not you may need an internet speed upgrade from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
If you are using a wireless network connection, you may also need to factor in the distance to your router or access point. Moving closer to the router/access point could dramatically improve your connection quality and therefore the speed/latency of your connection to the internet.
Preferred Internet Speed Tests
On-going Internet Connection Quality Monitoring
If you'd like to keep an eye on the quality of your internet connection on a periodic basis, check out the Internet Speed Test and Connectivity Monitor Chrome extension by Hubble IQ.
This simple extension offers a convenient way to monitor internet speed, WiFi strength, ISP outages, and to get recommendations.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
To learn more about this program, please visit the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program webpage at https://www.fcc.gov/acp.