Nowadays, internet access has become as important as other utilities in a home or business. Residential properties use the internet for work, education, entertainment, and communication. On the other hand, commercial properties utilize it for client communication, from sending emails and credit card processing to voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and team operations. Without a fast and stable internet connection, it would be difficult for businesses to operate properly.
Fortunately, choosing the most suitable internet provider for your home or business is not as complicated as you think. This simple and easy-to-follow guide will break down everything you need to know and consider before choosing an internet service provider (ISP), all from internet plans to bandwidth and speeds. Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
Find an Internet Provider Near You
The first and the most important step you need to do is find an internet provider near your area. If you are living in a rural area, you’ll most likely find fewer options that offer only satellite internet. Otherwise, you’ll have plenty of ISPs to choose from. You don’t have to do your search manually or the traditional way, as you can find many ISP search tools on the web. You only need to enter your zip code, and it will show you the providers in your area, their internet plans, and pricing. This way, you will have an excellent overview of their offered services before digging into the technicalities, such as data caps, speeds, and equipment.
Know Your Desired Internet Speeds and Data
Before you compare your internet options, it’s best to understand how much data and internet speed you’ll require. It involves considering the number of people who will use the internet and what the internet will be used for. For example, if you live in a household of four with two adults who don’t usually use the internet, you can opt for a lower speed and data. However, if you have a family of 8 with hardcore gamers, streamers, and general internet users, you’ll need to subscribe to a higher internet speed and unlimited data to prevent ISP throttling and overage fees.
Plan Your Budget
Internet plans can be crazy expensive, especially if you’re trying to get the fastest internet plan from a wireless provider. However, if you fall under the low-income households, you can get free and affordable internet plans from specific internet providers. But if not, you can freely choose if you prefer a month-to-month or a contract plan. With this, you can weigh your budget every month and see if it’s a sustainable decision.
If you are in a short-term living situation, it’s best to choose a month-to-month plan instead. Most ISPs impose early termination fees for those who cancel their subscription or switch providers before the end of the contract. These fees are usually hefty, so make sure to avoid getting tangled with them at all costs if you’re trying to save money.
It’s also important to note that having faster speeds will require you to pay more. So if you only need to surf the web and send emails every now and then, DSL internet might be the best option for you. However, if you need the fastest internet connection available to mankind (as of writing), you might want to opt for fiber internet. Many internet providers also offer bundles, including phone or TV services. Usually, these packages help you save more money, especially for large households. But others try to save money by only getting the internet plan and/or a streaming service.
Compare Your Options
Now that you’ve determined your needs and budget, it’s time to compare the internet service providers near you. Here are some of the factors you’ll need to consider.
- Speed
As a paying customer, you would want to receive the speed you’re paying for, even during peak hours. To most internet users, speed is the determining factor in choosing an internet service provider. Unfortunately, not every area in the United States has access to fiber internet, a.k.a the fastest internet connection available right now.
You should also consider that the advertised speed of ISPs doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the same speed over Wi-Fi. They can only guarantee the speed if you’re directly wired via an ethernet cable, so manage your expectations.
- Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the information volume per unit of time that the transmission device can hold. It’s measured by Mbps or megabits per second. Some areas get lucky for having 1000Mbps while other areas in the rural only get three to six Mbps.
- Type of Connection
The type of connection you’ll have is the biggest factor that will dictate how your internet would “feel.” If you have satellite internet, you should not expect speeds as fast as those from DSL or cable internet. While it can give you decent speeds to get your work done, it’s not as convenient for smooth gaming or video streaming. However, if you have cable or fiber internet, you will not have any problem gaming or watching Netflix all day long.
- Reliability
Having an unreliable internet is frustrating, especially if you depend on the internet for work or education. If you want to check if an ISP is reliable, the easiest way is to check their reviews online. Unsatisfied customers don’t try to hold back what they want to say about poor service, so you’ll discover genuine reviews from real people. Moreover, you also have to consider their customer service, especially if you’re dealing with technical issues at home.
- Cost
Lastly, your prospective ISP should have the perfect balance between price and speed. If you’re on a tight internet budget, you might want to speak with your prospective ISP if they have current discounts or deals that can give you better speeds for a slightly lower price. In most cases, they offer a sign-up discount or a gift card as a sign-up bonus. Also, other internet providers provide discounts for seniors, military, and students, so make sure you keep an eye out for it if you belong to one of these groups.