Internet access is perhaps the most important aspect of your home. That is because it has now become the primary way to stay connected with family and friends all over the world.
In fact, with the ongoing pandemic, a lot of companies have adopted the work-from-home method of working, and for you to be able to work efficiently from home, you definitely need the best internet plan.
Apart from having a smooth workday from home, you also need the internet for entertainment purposes, such as online gaming, online streaming services, and more. This pushes you to choose an internet service provider with the best internet prices available.
Choosing an internet service provider, comparing all types of download and upload speeds, and finding out if that specific plan is available at your postal code is more than enough to overwhelm you.
You should consider is the internet provider you are choosing offers strong wireless connections with your router and modem, and how fast the speed is. To make things easier, we have decided to share a guide on what factors to consider when choosing an internet service provider.
Decide the Speed You Need
First and foremost, you have to ensure that the internet providers you are looking at offer their services in your area. After that, you should start comparing each provider’s internet speeds and other important details.
Usually, the internet plan prices differ due to the different speeds offered in the plan. If you want to compare, you can perform an internet speed test, as this would allow you to identify the speeds you are getting from your current internet provider.
Some people tend to only consider the fastest internet available. That said, this should not be the only factor to consider. It all depends on the internet usage in your home, and if you don’t have a lot of use, then there is no point paying for something you will barely use.
However, that does not mean you should go for the cheapest internet plan, because it might not only be of low quality but also barely usable. To determine the internet speed you need is to consider what you need the internet for and how many people rely on it in your household.
Internet for Video Conferencing and Multiple Devices
You might need an upgraded internet plan if your household requires a lot of video conferencing and if it’s being used on multiple devices. In fact, if you want to be able to do both at the same time, you definitely need the best internet speed.
This will require a download speed of 15-25 Mbps, or you can actually get a fiber internet plan, depending on if fiber-optic is being offered in your area. Fiber-optic cables give you much faster speeds in comparison to cable internet and DSL.
Once you have determined the download speeds, you should start looking at the upload speeds. A good upload speed allows you to pay for online gaming and do video conferencing rather smoothly.
Cable and DSL internet may have fast download speeds, but they usually have much slower upload speeds.
Fiber-Optic and DSL Internet
When considering an internet service provider, you might have both fiber-optic and DSL internet is offered in your area. Both types of internet differ in speeds and pricing as well. DSL internet is usually easily available, whereas fiber-optic internet is not.
DSL refers to the “digital subscriber line” and its signals travel via copper wires, giving a maximum speed of around 100 Mbps. Fiber-optic internet signals travel through the fiber-optic cable in the form of light, allowing up to 2000 Mbps speeds.
If you have internet providers offering fiber-optic internet then you should definitely consider it, as it’s an excellent choice if there’s heavy usage of internet in your household. Of course, if you have a lower budget, then you can consider DSL internet providers.
Data Caps
It’s not uncommon for internet service providers to limit the amount of data you are allowed to use each month. Such internet plans night throttle your speeds, as it will lower them significantly, or simply overcharge you if you use data beyond the stated limitations.
Therefore, look for an internet plan that offers you unlimited data!
Internet Pricing
Pricing is always the major factor affecting your decision. The best internet plan should create a balance between the performance and speed you require with the available features, at a price that is within your budget.
Conclusion
Well, there you go! We have shared the five most important factors to consider when choosing an internet service provider. That said, also consider the annual commitments and if bundling will offer you more services at a reasonable rate.