Broadlinc: Factors to Consider When Choosing an Internet Service Provider

Internet service has become an essential part of our society and lives. We need it to stay connected with family, friends, and global happenings. Choosing a provider can be challenging, given how many providers offer this service. To make things easy for you, this article discusses factors to consider when selecting an internet service provider.

Internet Speed Needs

You need to consider what you currently use your internet for and how you want the connection improved. Doing this is a great way to begin evaluation of the broadband speed that suits you. You can check out Broadlinc to find out what the minimum broadband download and upload speeds are. Count the devices and people connected to your current network. 

Download speeds of 100 megabits per second are usually appropriate for basic internet use. This includes social media usage, mild TV streaming, and online shopping. We would advise faster speeds internet connections for the following:

• Working and learning from home
• HD streaming across multiple devices
• Several smart device connections, including security cameras, smart speakers, and video doorbells.

Although they are quite expensive, multi-gig and gigabit plans will ensure you have enough speed for every person and thing in your house. If they are available where you stay, consider speeds in the 300Mbps to 600Mbps range. It’s a great alternative if you want something on the speedier side but don’t want to indulge in gigabit service. 

It’s important to mention that actual speeds and advertised speeds are usually different. With a Wi-Fi connection and the addition of several, actual speeds in the house are probably going to be lower. Furthermore, you might not be getting the speeds you are paying for if your router is outdated. Therefore, consider this speed loss when choosing a plan and service.

ISP Options

The availability of providers varies depending on location. In fact, the availability might still vary for those with the same ZIP code but different addresses. Usually, it is rare for one provider to be the sole ISP choice available in a given area. 

There’s also probably a fiber or DSL service available from companies like Frontier, CenturyLink, or AT&T. This is often the case where you have access to cable internet providers such as Spectrum or Xfinity. Furthermore, broadband competitiveness has increased in both rural and urban environments due to the recent emergence of 5G home internet from Verizon and T-Mobile.

You can use a serviceability check tool to confirm the available providers near you. The tool should also allow you to get an overview of possible plans and pricing.  Such information is vital when making your final decision.

Connection Type

Cost and speed are among the most crucial factors in selecting an online service. However, comparing the connection type used by each carrier is very important. Though there are certain exceptions, below is a ranking of connection options from the best to the least:

• Fiber-optic
• Cable
• 5G home internet 
• DSL
• Fixed Wireless 
• Satellite

Fast, consistent speeds, low latency, and best overall value are required for fiber-optic internet. This option also has the benefits of close or symmetrical upload speeds. Cable internet comes next when value and speed are considered, given their cheap cost. It offers more value since certain carriers offer cheap cable TV and internet packages. 

In some places, 5G home internet is rapidly showing to be a practical substitute for fiber and cable connections. You can visit https://www.cnet.com/ to learn more about 5G home internet. This new technology is also perfect for rural communities that depend on DSL, fixed wireless, and satellite services. It’s a worthy upgrade to broadband in such areas. 

Compare Speeds and Pricing Only

This is the stage where you’ll almost decide on which carrier to choose. At this stage, you need to compare the plans of every network company. Although it’s easy to start with the price and then speed, we recommend you start with speed. 

It would be counterproductive to end up choosing a less expensive plan that doesn’t quite fit your household’s speed needs. You might end up paying much more than you planned, especially if the plan has a contract. To avoid this, search for plans with the speeds you desire or higher. After that, compare the pricing among those options before choosing the one that best suits your budget and required speed. 

Steer Clear of Predetermined Price Hikes

After identifying possible plans and operators, you still have to do further research. You need to examine the monthly cost in detail. Will there be changes later on? Are there hidden fees and potential price hikes? 

Low prices can be appealing, but when the price increases by 50% or more, a cheap plan loses its worth. Review the FCC-mandated broadband labels for every plan very carefully. Invest in your own equipment to avoid paying any hidden equipment or infrastructure fees. 

The good news is that carriers have to be rather open about price hikes. They must state when they are to be expected and the additional costs it will bring. Also, many providers do not need a contract. So, you can cancel without penalty should the price increase be too sharp. 

Data Limits

Certain ISPs set data caps and either charge additional costs or slow speeds when they are exceeded. Before selecting a plan, ensure you know what the data cap is if there is any. If you want to use a satellite connection, you have to be very careful with data caps and use. 

Unless you upgrade to an unlimited data plan, your speeds will dramatically reduce after using your priority data allowance. You don’t have to worry about overuse charges as none of the top satellite network companies charge such. Although they are less of an issue with other types of connection, data caps still exist. 

In remote locations, fixed wireless internet often has a data cap of 250GB to 350GB. Though the data is much higher, usually between 1TB and 1.5TB per month, certain cable and DSL providers enforce data limitations. 

That’s a lot of data and much more than the typical household will consume. Nevertheless, an unlimited data plan is the best. You definitely wouldn’t want to suffer slowed speeds or additional fees for going over. Furthermore, you wouldn’t want to constantly monitor how much data you use monthly. 

Conclusion

When choosing an internet service provider, there’s a lot to think about. Apart from the pricing and speeds, make sure to review the tiny print, price increases, data caps, equipment fees, and contract requirements. This will ensure you know what you’ll be getting in the bill monthly.