If you imagine living without an internet connection in 2023, you might feel like living with a missing piece of the puzzle. Since the advancements in the tech space have made everything related to the internet, we actually depend a lot on it. Like a lot.
You want to eat something without going out? You can order it with just a few taps without needing to call the eatery. You want a recipe for a specific Italian cuisine? You can just Google it without going through the hassle of looking at pages of a recipe book. Everything feels at our fingertips.
The need for the internet holds its weight, for sure. But how do you choose an internet provider that can satisfy your needs while being within your budget?
That’s where this guide can help. Look out for the factors cited below and select a sound internet provider for your home.
Availability
First things first, if you want to avail internet services of a certain ISP (Internet Service Provider) you gotta make sure that it’s available in your area.
If you live in the city center then you will likely find a sea of options to choose from. But if you reside in a rural area then your choice would be limited, usually, satellite internet connectivity which we can’t term dependable or if you are lucky enough then you might have cable internet connectivity in your area.
To check which ISPs are available in your area, copy this “internet service providers in my area” and paste it in your browser (Chrome, Edge, or Safari). Results will pop up and you can see which ISPs are available in your area.
After you find the one in your area that you think is perfect, then you should assess whether it’s really perfect based on the other factors.
Speed
The second most important factor for choosing an ISP effectively is the speed they are offering. Some ISPs can offer you speed in literally gigs. But you don’t have to be seduced by it because this much speed usually goes wasted.
So, what to do now?
Evaluate your needs. And this is really important before jumping headfirst into subscribing to an internet plan. Assessing your internet speed depends on two factors: the number of devices and activities you use the internet for. Use the table below to figure out exactly what you need.
After evaluating your needs, you should check out the price for that available plan that falls under your speed needs.
Price
The next factor in line after the speed is price. Understand that you don’t even need a costly internet with tons of speed. A balance of both the speed and price is what you can call a jackpot.
While weighing this factor, don’t just look at the prices of one ISP. You should compare the prices of multiple ISPs. Having said that, Windstream Internet Prices are pretty affordable and it is one of the top ISPs in the States that offers reliable internet connectivity. You can compare the price of your shortlisted ISP with Windstream and check if it is worth your money.
Some additional fees like installation and equipment might accompany the monthly cost of your internet plan. Make sure to know the exact monthly cost of your internet plan.
Never forget that there might be a data cap for your internet plan and if in some month you consume more data than your data limit then you will be charged an overage fee. For peace of mind, you should look for internet plans without data caps.
Type of Connection
Fiber, cable, and satellite connectivity are the types of internet connectivity that you’ll find in the US.
While the satellite internet has an expansive network, one can question its reliability as it’s not the most dependable type of internet connectivity. People go with this type if they don’t have any other choice.
Fiber, on the other hand, can offer faster internet speeds with supreme reliability. But its availability is fairly limited.
And then there is cable internet which is optimized for availability, soundness, and affordability.
All of them can be available for you to choose given that you live in an area where all are available.
Customer Support
You may not want your ISP to ghost you at the time of internet outage.
This is when you need the Customer Support of your ISP the most. So, before locking yourself up in an internet contract or even opting for a service, you should get an idea about the Customer Service of that very ISP.
Google the reviews for the shortlisted ISPs and read them. This is an essential part when selecting an ISP. If the ISP you choose comes out terrible then you’ll enjoy less of your favorite movies and will be tackling more of their troubles.
Summing Up
The bottom line? Choosing an internet service provider is critical. One must weigh out all of the factors so as to avoid any hassle. Also, if you fall below the poverty line, you may get internet for free through ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program).
