If you’re looking for a new internet connection, here’s a little help on figuring out which one to buy. While some aspects are easy to measure, some are harder but just as important to ensure a good experience. Here’s a list to help you choose.
Reliability: Performance and reliability are two of the most important factors of an internet connection. If a service provider gets these two right, it will satisfy most customers. So when you’re looking for an internet connection, ensure that the provider you choose is known to provide a connection that is stable, reliable, and always on.
Speed: Speed relates directly to performance. If your internet service is reliable but doesn’t offer a stable connection speed, then it’s useless. Ensure that you buy a connection with enough bandwidth to meet your needs and that your service provider can maintain those speeds reliably. Fiber-optic connections are the most reliable today.
Cost: Internet services are available from $20 a month all the way to over $100 per month. The cheapest plans give you a 10Mbps connection which is extremely slow and only works if you just plan on basic surfing and emails. If you plan on streaming video or audio, playing games, video conferencing, working from home, and plan on connecting multiple devices to your router, you need a faster connection. This will cost you more. So ensure that you buy the right connection for you. It’s easy to spend too much and not use your data allocation.
Billing: Ensure that your internet bills are easy to understand. In case you feel that you’re spending more than you should be and are not getting a valid explanation for it, check with your ISP or look for a service provider with a transparent billing system. You should also have the option to pay in a manner convenient to you.
Types: There are several types of internet services available today. Fiber optic internet is the fastest and most reliable type of connection available. Cable is the most widespread at the moment, and people favor it because it is bundled with their TV service. There’s satellite internet, which is great for rural areas and DSL, which is outdated now.
