We all need the internet these days. In fact, you’re reading this article using an internet connection. However, signing up for a new connection can be confusing. Looking for a provider, going through their nitty-gritty details, and selecting your next internet provider can take a significant amount of research.
You don’t need to worry though. We’re here to make this process easy for you. Let’s take a look at the things you need to do when finding a great internet provider for your home.
Select the Internet Connection Type
Look for Providers in Your Area
Define Your Internet Needs
First things first, you should evaluate your internet needs to figure out what type of internet you need. You wouldn’t want to get an internet plan that’s overkill for your household and burns a hole through your pocket. On the other hand, no one wants to deal with slow internet that isn’t sufficient for their needs.
This is why it’s important to strike the perfect balance between getting an internet plan that isn’t too expensive and speeds that aren’t slow for your needs.
The best way to do this is to check your current internet plan to see if it suits your needs.
- Are the download and upload speeds enough?
- Is the pricing affordable?
- Does your current internet plan provide enough speeds for everyone in your household?
If your answer to these questions is a “no,” then you need to look into a different internet provider.
Select the Internet Connection Type
The quality of your internet connection depends on the connection type you go for. Depending on where you live, you might not have access to all internet connection types. So, here’s a rundown on the best to least favorable internet connection types.
- Fiber: This is the fastest internet you can get currently. The tech uses wires consisting of thin strands of glass that transfer information at the speed of light. However, fiber availability is limited, and it’s mostly available in metropolitan areas.
- Cable: This is slower than fiber internet but is more than enough for most households. Cable internet is readily available and often comes bundled with TV services. This makes sense since it uses the same coaxial copper wires as cable TV.
- 5G Home Internet: Mobile internet is mainly intended for use with phones. However, improvements in internet tech have allowed 5G connections to become more practical for home internet. If you’re living in a place with strong mobile infrastructure, you should be able to get fast speeds with 5G.
- Fixed Wireless Internet: This is another wireless option that uses a mounted receiver to send and receive signals. This is much slower than other connection types and is great for entire buildings rather than a single house.
- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): This option can be good for people who don’t have access to cable or fiber internet. It uses phone lines and is popular in rural areas that don’t have access to high-speed internet options.
- Satellite: This internet connection is the most widely available type since it doesn’t use ground infrastructure. While you can get relatively higher internet speeds, connection quality is often compromised with satellite internet.
Once you choose a connection type, you can start looking for providers in your area.
Look for Providers in Your Area
Once you decide the type of internet connection you want, the first thing to do is to look for internet providers in your area. You can do this by entering your ZIP code and looking up internet providers.
Once you’ve made a list, now is the time to start looking into their internet plans. A lot of internet providers offer bundle deals that offer TV and streaming services, as well as phone services along with their internet plan.
These bundle deals usually cost less than buying the services separately. So, if you’re paying separately for internet, TV, and phone, it’s a good idea to look into bundle deals.
Things to Look Out For In an Internet Package
Once you have a list of internet providers in your area, know the type of connection you want, and your speed and data requirements, you can finally start to narrow down your options.
However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
- Symmetrical Speeds: A lot of internet providers don’t offer symmetrical speeds with their connections. If you’re someone who needs equal upload and download speeds, then look for a provider that offers symmetrical speeds.
- Customer Support: Having great customer support is important in case you have any issues with your connection. Make sure your ISP has multiple customer support channels, and if you speak another language, having multilingual support is important. For example, Optimum español support caters to native Spanish speakers in the US.
- Data Caps: Some ISPs still impose data caps on their internet plans. If you download a lot of data, make sure you go for a provider that offers unlimited data. This ensures that you won’t have any unpleasant surprises on your bill when you go overboard with data usage.
- Contracts: Some companies require you to sign a time contract when you sign up for an internet connection. This means that you have to stay with them during that period or pay a hefty amount to get out of the contract. Some ISPs also offer contract buyouts, which can help you get out of a contract if you’re stuck in one.
In the end, shopping for new internet boils down to your need, budget, and available providers in your area. You’ll have to do some of the legwork, but some sites make it a painless process to shop for internet.
