by Almost everyone needs internet service these days. It’s as important in most people’s lives as electricity, running water, heat, and air conditioning. Whether you only use your internet for occasional browsing and online shopping or it’s your family’s lifeline to work, school, entertainment, and home security, you need a plan that fully meets your needs and expectations. As you’ve probably discovered, not all internet plans are capable of doing that.
Finding the Right Internet Plan
With all that being the case, selecting the right internet planfor your family is crucial. Numerous options are available, so it’s not exactly an easy feat. Several factors come into play when you’re choosing a new plan, and the following five are among the most important to keep in mind.
1) Types of Internet Connections
One aspect to think about is the type of internet connection that will serve you best. Right now, most people have either cable or DSL. Those are the most widely available options and often the least expensive. Both can keep you connected, but they’re susceptible to interference.
Cable can be faster than DSL at times. With this type of connection, though, you’re sharing bandwidth with your neighbors, so it’s prone to network congestion. DSL offers slower overall speeds, and the farther you are from the source, the slower is usually is.
Fiber internet is often more expensive than other options, but it’s also faster. It’s not as vulnerable to interference as cable and DSL, but it’s not as widely available, either. If you live in a rural area where fiber, cable, and DSL aren’t available, satellite or fixed wireless internet may be your only option.
2) Speed
Speed is another important factor to think about. Different households need different internet speeds. For light use and few connected devices, you may need 50 Mbps or less. For heavier use and more connected devices, 100 Mbps might be better. If you do a great deal of streaming, work from home, have gamers in your household, and your children attend virtual school, 250 Mbps or more may be required. Choosing a plan that can’t keep up with your needs can lead to a lot of frustration later on.
3) Reliability
Reliability is a crucial aspect to consider as well. If your connection isn’t reliable, you could experience problematic slowdowns, excessive latency, and frequent outages. Cable and DSL are known to have reliability issues because of their vulnerability to interference and certain other problems. Fixed wireless isn’t as reliable as cable and DSL, but it tends to be more stable than satellite internet. Fiber typically gets the best reliability ratings. Remember that these are general rules, and they can vary a bit by location and provider.
4) Customer Service
Another point to look into is the level of customer service different providers offer. Reviews can give you a great deal of insight here. Even with fast, reliable internet, poor customer service can detract from your experience and keep you from getting the most value for your money.
5) Added Costs
The cost of internet is a concern for most people, but it’s important to understand that the prices different providers quote you may not be what you see on your monthly bills. Dig deeper to find out about any additional charges that may be added to your overall costs, such as overage charges for plans with data limits, modem and router rental fees, taxes, and surcharges. Installation fees may also be added to the mix. Some providers don’t charge extra for installation, but others may spread those fees across several monthly bills or charge you at the end of an introductory period.
Choosing the Best Internet Plan for You
Numerous internet providers and plans are out there. That can make choosing one difficult. Keeping the factors listed here in mind will make it easier, though. These considerations can help you find an internet plan that meets your needs and expectations without going over your budget or leaving you to deal with unexpected issues.
