Internet is a necessity, and not a luxury anymore. We need the internet to work, communicate, and entertain ourselves every day among other things. When there’s no Wi-Fi, what do we even do? Can we live a day without internet access? Probably, but it could get ugly!
When moving into a new apartment or neighborhood, you should make inquiries about internet service providers (ISPs) in the area. Metropolitan zones usually have a wider range of ISPs to choose from and high-speed internet connections are readily available.
On the contrary, suburban and rural areas tend to have limited options and high-speed internet plans are rarely available. Nonetheless, it is imperative to do your research in advance, so you don’t have any regrets later on.
Not everybody needs ultra-fast internet with unlimited data allowance, so it all comes down to what works for you. Follow these six steps to get the best internet service in your area that corresponds to your everyday requirements:
What’s Covered:
- Know All Your Options
- Determine your Requirements
- Identify the Types
- Compare Plans and Pricing
- Check the Wi-Fi Options
- Take Note of Customer Feedback
1. Know All Your Options
Take your time finalizing the ISP you’ll go with at the end of the day. There might be several promising options in your zip code, so don’t decide in haste. The availability and performance of different ISPs varies from region to region. The internet service you used in your previous home may not be suitable for your current location.
But if you’re looking for one with wide coverage and a great reputation, then Xfinity is a top-rated ISP in the US and operates across 41 states, making it a great contender. In addition, Xfinity caters to consumers from various cultural backgrounds by providing customer service in their language of preference. You may refer to Xfinity en español to obtain information in Spanish.
But, analyzing all your options is recommended so that if your first choice doesn’t work out, you know the next best alternative to turn to. Another great idea is to request the opinion of neighbors who have been residing in the area for quite some time.
2. Determine your Requirements
Once you’ve learned the names of all the ISPs operating in your area, the next step is to deduce the specs you want or need. It all depends on your day-to-day online activities and overall usage, so you may consider elements like upload speed, download speed, data caps, latency, downtimes, etc.
For example, if you are an avid gamer, you are likely to go for a wired internet connection offering an overall speed higher than 100Mbps and latency below 40ms. Similarly, if you stream videos in 4K or upload heavy files as a content creator, fast internet would be favored to avoid delays, lagging, and buffering.
People who work from home may not require very fast internet, but a reliable connection with minimal downtime is optimal. The number of people sharing the internet connection and the combined usage during peak hours are also aspects to consider because bandwidth and data limit will be shared.
3. Identify the Types
The next step is to get familiar with all the different types of internet connections in the market and what each one of them entails. There are several types of wired and wireless connections, so you must know the pros and cons of each.
Optic fiber internet is the superior choice among wired internet connections because it is the fastest and comes with the lowest latency rate. This means the internet is unlikely to encounter lags and interruptions. The next best choice is cable internet, which also provides good speed and is more economical compared to optic fiber.
If you’re residing in a rural area, DSL internet might be the only wired connection type available. DSL is not as fast and reliable as the former two but performs better than most wireless connections. Satellite internet is usually accessible in areas where there are no other options. However, it is considerably expensive considering its low speed, limited data caps, and high ping rate.
4. Compare Plans and Pricing
After establishing the type of internet connection that best suits your needs, location, and budget, it is time to make comparisons. If two or more ISPs are providing your desired connection type, you will compare their plans and pricing to determine the winner.
Most of us are compelled to choose the cheapest option on the table, even though it is seldom the most cost-effective one. Many ISPs offer bundling as well, which means you can get TV and phone alongside internet for a discounted price. A lot of ISPs offer promotions for new users, so you may select the one that is giving the most for less.
However, bear in mind that you may experience surprising price hikes once the promotion period is over. Some ISPs do not include router charges and Wi-Fi equipment in their internet packages, and you will have to pay for them separately. Last but not least, several ISPs require you to enter a contract term to benefit from their promotions.
5. Check the Wi-Fi Options
We need our mobile devices to have Wi-Fi access at all times; if you have several smart home gadgets installed around the house, they’ll need Wi-Fi to function too. You may need a router that supports ten or more simultaneous devices on the Wi-Fi network.
Some ISPs offer Wi-Fi equipment free of charge, but you may need to buy or rent it otherwise. If you want high-speed internet through Wi-Fi, you may consider investing in a 5G network for your home. Several ISPs like Xfinity also provide Wi-Fi hotspots to their customers all around covered areas free of cost; this way you can remain connected on the go.
6. Take Note of Customer Feedback
If you’re still not sure which ISP to sign up with, you must refer to feedback left by old and existing customers. The overall rating and latest reviews will surely help you decide who’s winning. What people like you are saying about a particular ISP is indeed enlightening.
If you come across multiple bad reviews for the same vendor, get to the bottom of it and evaluate whether the mentioned issue makes a difference to you. Some reviews can be irrational or misleading, though it’s not that hard to distinguish them from the genuine ones.
Closing Thoughts
Choosing the right internet service adds ease and convenience to your life. Invest wisely, as an incompetent internet connection may come in the way of many day-to-day errands and ruin your mood frequently.
