Did you know that 93% of adults use the internet? Internet usage might have seemed like a luxury for some people in the past. But these days, it’s a vital part of work, school, and everyday life.
Unfortunately, the quality of internet service providers often doesn’t reflect this fact. So, how do you find the most reliable internet service provider? Simple: by reading this article.
In it, we’ll be discussing all the factors you should consider before selecting a provider, especially if you live in remote areas. That way, you can find the best ISP for your specific needs. Let’s get started!
Determine What Options Are Available in Your Area
The first thing you need to do is determine what internet service providers are available in your area. There are indeed many providers that are available nationwide.
But, just because a provider is nationwide doesn’t always mean they’ll be available where you live. Indeed, people living in more rural areas often have to search harder for ISPs in their area.
So, do a quick search and make a list of the companies that offer services where you live. If you want a good tool, this page can help you find internet providers quickly.
Make sure that you don’t just pick the first provider that comes up in your search engine. You should still compare and contrast between two and three options.
Select a Speed
The right internet speed for you will depend on how you use the service. If you just use the internet for web surfing, you likely don’t need the fastest connection.
But, if you do things like online gaming, or you rely on your internet for your business or work, it can be worth it to invest in a fast speed. If you aren’t sure how fast your internet speed should be, check out this broadband speed guide offered by the FCC.
It will walk you through how much speed certain internet activities require. Also, make sure you take a speed test once your internet is set up.
Just because an internet service provider advertises a certain speed doesn’t always mean you’ll be receiving it. So, it’s worth testing to make sure.
Decide on the Type of Connection
There are three main types of connections you can get from internet service providers. They include fiber, cable, and DSL. Each comes with its own pros and cons.
Fiber is the fastest of the three and comes with great coverage. However, it’s also the most expensive, so you should expect to pay more for it. Cable connections typically provide good download speeds.
That being said, the upload speed typically leaves a lot to be desired. On top of that, you may experience slower speeds during peak hours of the day.
Lastly, there’s a DSL connection (also known as a digital subscriber line). The biggest benefit of this type of connection is that it’s both widely affordable and available throughout the country.
Sadly, the download speeds are pretty slow. So, it’s not a great internet to rely on professionally.
Consider the Cost
When considering the cost, you should first compare the prices between multiple service providers. That way, you’re sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
See what they offer for the price. However, make sure that you aren’t just choosing the lowest price.
If you require speed for your job or hobbies, you are going to pay a little more for the internet. Just make sure you find the right balance between a good speed and an affordable price.
Is the Service Reliable?
There’s nothing worse than paying for the internet only to find out that your connection is constantly going out. Unfortunately, many ISPs tend to blame service problems on everything except themselves.
If you want to avoid this, consider going with a provider that offers a Service Level Agreement (SLA) before you sign. These are contracts that state what the minimum connection speed should be.
They’re a good tool for ensuring reliability or your money back. If you have an internet service provider that doesn’t offer an SLA, and your connection is consistently unreliable, call them up and cancel your plan.
Odds are they’ll try to give you a deal to make you stay with them. You can either take it or look for a better provider.
Look at Special Features
Internet companies usually provide you with lots of features to entice you. Looking out for them can actually help you save a lot of money. Some ISPs will provide you with free routers instead of requiring you to rent them.
Others will include things like wireless hotspots, backup services found online, and antivirus subscriptions. If any of these sound appealing, make sure to search for a provider that offers them.
Test Out Their Customer Service
Even the best internet connection will eventually encounter a problem. When that day comes, you want to make sure that the customer service that comes with your ISP is reliable.
Bad customer service will make you wait days or even weeks to get in touch with someone that can help you. Good customer service will address your needs and fix the issue within hours.
Sadly, the only way you can really test this is after you sign a contract. However, it can help to read customer reviews. They might be able to give you a good idea of customer service.
Appreciated Tips to Find an Internet Service Provider? Keep Exploring
We hope this article helped you find the most reliable internet service provider in your area. We know that there’s nothing worse than experiencing a slow or non-existent internet connection.
That’s why it’s important to sit down and do your research before selecting a provider. However, as long as you follow the advice in this article, you should be off to a good start.
Want more content like this one? If so, you’re in the right place. Keep scrolling through our website to find plenty of similar topics.