With all of the options available in the market for Internet service providers, it can be difficult to find the right option for your needs. Read on for a step-by-step guide to selecting an Internet service provider for your needs.
Speed
Most Internet service providers focus on providing the highest possible speeds. When choosing a provider, it’s important to take into account the download speed you’ll need based on your data usage.
Data Limits
It is important to determine if an Internet service provider sets a monthly « cap » on the amount of data you can download at high speed. This is especially important in the event that you frequently watch high-resolution videos online, as browsing the web without video and using email will usually never cause a data cap to be exceeded.
Additional costs
Check with the service provider about the requirement for a modem or router. While some companies provide them, others may charge you for them as hidden costs. It is important to know this before signing.
Introductory offers
Make sure to check if the price they are offering is an introductory price. And if so, when and by how much. You should then use the « normal » price for comparison and only use the « introductory » price if you break the tie.
Additional modules
Some Internet service providers will also try to sell you add-ons such as anti-virus software and firewalls. Avoid buying them, as there are several good options available for free in the market.
To make a choice
Before making your decision, consider the following:
– Cable vs. DSL vs. Fiber option – While each has its advantages, DSL or fiber tend to provide more reliable speeds compared to a cable connection.
– What is the price per Mbps? Write down what they advertise as their speed and total cost, then divide the value by the speed. These are the cost per Mbps and the metric you should use for comparisons.
Ideally, at this point you have only one choice left – the right choice.
