An internet connection is a basic utility in every home today. Like other utilities, most people require an internet plan to access their online social media profiles, check their email, and stay in touch with friends and family. Without a reliable network, we would not be able to shop online, conveniently pay our bills, or work from home. Fortunately, our networks can help make our days much simpler than they were before. These connections even offer us a way to enjoy ourselves, giving us the option to stream movies and TV shows. With a suitable plan, you can do it all. If you are looking for a suitable provider for your home, have a look at some of the factors that you need to consider.

Availability

If you live in urban areas, the good news is you will easily be able to choose one of the several plans being offered by one of the many internet providers. You can enjoy some of the fastest and most reliable internet connections in the market. Fiber connections are not available widely, except in some urban areas that are much faster than other technologies.

If you are located in an underserved or rural area in the country, your choices will be much more limited. Not all providers offer high-speed connections in rural areas, so you need to find out which provider is offering its services in your area before you start looking at the plans.

Speeds

When you are going through the plans, the most important factor you need to consider is the speed being advertised. Download speeds are used to indicate the speed at which the network will download information from the server to your device. The faster the speed, the quicker you can download files.

If you opt for slower speeds, your network may be unable to handle the traffic. Your streams will buffer and you will face lags when playing online games.

Another speed you may have heard less of, but is as important as download speeds, are upload speeds. These speeds dictate how fast you can upload files, images, and videos to the server. Whether you are uploading images to Instagram, videos on YouTube, or conducting video conferences, you need sufficient upload speeds. If you back up your data regularly, upload speeds are very important.

You also need to remember that all households have different needs. So, if you work from home, you may need higher speeds. But if you just check your social media or occasionally stream movies, you can make do with lower speeds too.

Type of Internet Connection

An internet connection can be offered to your household through various technologies. Below we have explained the types of connections available in the market.

Fiber

The fastest internet connection available in the market is fiber internet. The connection is offered to households with the help of fiber-optic cables that can transmit data in the form of pulses of light at 70% of the speed of light. You can get speeds between 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps, which can help you browse the internet, stream videos, and songs, and download large files. You can also enjoy symmetrical upload speeds with your plan.

Cable

One of the most popular connections in the country is cable connections. Providers use the coaxial cables that offer TV connections to offer you high-speed internet connections as well. You can enjoy download speeds between 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps, but only up to 50 Mbps in upload speeds.

Satellite

Satellite internet connections are widely available all over the country. As long as you have a clear view of the sky, you will be able to connect to the internet, albeit a bit slowly. To establish a connection, you will have to install a dish on the roof of your house that will help you link to the satellite in space.

Internet Protocol Broadband (IPBB)

Marketed by AT&T, IPBB is another kind of DSL connection. The Internet Protocol Broadband was created by combining several DSL variants. IPBB is a faster form of the DSL connection. With this connection, households will be able to enjoy speeds as fast as 100 Mbps.

Data Allowance

When you shop for an internet connection, you will also have to consider the data allowance being offered in the plan. All providers’ packages will advertise the data allowance being offered with their plans.

The data allowance will inform the user how much data is available for download with the plan being chosen. Every time you visit a website all the text, images, and videos download onto your screen and use up some of the data that is offered with your package. Many providers offer users unlimited data, so you don’t have to keep track of the data that is being consumed.

Cost of Internet Plan

The costs of internet plans depend on all of the above factors i.e speeds, data allowances, and the type of connection you choose. You will even have to look at the additional charges such as installations, rental, and other service costs included with the plan.

Contract Duration

When you sign up for a new plan, you need to check the length of the contract. If you are ready to commit to the plan, only then should you sign. If you change your mind before the period is over, you would have to pay some hefty penalties to move to another provider. If you are interested in shifting to Spectrum bundles, they offer contract buyouts up to $500.

Promotions & Bundling

You can take advantage of promotions and bundles offered by some providers and enjoy their services at lowered costs. Beware though, these promotions may seem attractive but may not last for the duration of the entire agreement. You can browse through Spectrum deals and bundles and pair the services together to enjoy them.

Installation

Installation of the services varies drastically depending on the technology you choose. Fiber connections require fiber-compatible routers to be installed. In most cases, your provider will require you to rent a router from them, which will then be fitted in your household.

Cable connections require modems and routers, which are also offered by the providers for you to rent. Satellite connections will require you to rent satellite dishes that will be installed in your household.

In some cases, the installation charges will not cost you anything extra. But in some cases, you will be asked to pay a little something extra, along with the charges to rent the equipment.

Conclusion

Some of the best internet plans are straightforward and have no hidden charges of any sort. Once you are better aware of your needs, your decision will become easier. No matter if you live in an urban city, or an underserved area, you can connect to the internet. All you need is a bit of research and you can enjoy an internet connection.

Choosing an internet plan for your needs

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