Whether you are shopping around for some better options for your home internet plan for moving to a new place, the whole process of figuring out which internet plan works best for you can be overwhelming.
Internet service providers (ISPs) tend to really helpful customer service that helps you choose the best plan. However, more often than not, you might still be left feeling confused with all the bombardment of information.
Similar to how you deal with most other services, your goal should be to pay only for what you actually use. There are one too many ways to get internet in your home, and this is something that not many are aware of.
This is why we have decided to share a guide to help you choose the best home internet plan for you. Let’s take a closer look:
What Are the Types of Broadband Services Available?
First and foremost, you need to understand that there are not one, but four different types of broadband services available now.
When the internet was first introduced, the only available option was dial-up services which require you to have a home telephone line. While this is still the only option in some parts of the world, a cable internet connection is still the most common type of internet in the US and worldwide.
Here are the four types of broadband services:
Cable Internet
Many people prefer to get their internet through cable providers. The broadband connection comes from the very same coaxial cables that also deliver cable TV to your home.
Cable internet speeds usually vary based on your location and a couple of other factors. However, it’s the easiest to install. If you already have a cable TV subscription, you can add internet through their website or simply speak to the customer service.
Moreover, you can save some money by bundling both services. Simply bundling up AT&T internet with DIRECTV is a great solution to all your internet needs, as you can enjoy DIRECTV alongside AT&T’s internet in their bundles.
Direct Subscriber Line (DSL) Internet
DSL internet delivers itself through your home phone line. Don’t confuse this with dial-up internet. Although DSL is not as fast as cable internet, you can still stream Netflix, and indulge in online activities with it.
There are two types of DSL internets – asymmetric and symmetric. The first offers faster download speeds but much slower upload speeds. Whereas, the latter offers equal download and upload speeds.
DSL speed depends on the distance between your house and your ISP. In other words, the lesser the distance, the faster your internet speed is. That said, DSL is perhaps the most affordable internet option out there, and it’s widely available too.
Satellite Internet
Unlike cable internet and DSL, satellite internet does not need any cable, phone lines, or wires in general. The internet is beamed to a small satellite dish at the top of your house.
Although satellite internet is available in many areas that perhaps many ISPs don’t cover, it is considered to be an expensive option.
Fiber Optic Internet
Fiber optic internet utilizes light-speed technology to provide the fastest internet. Fiber-optic is genuinely really fast, and if you’re looking for the best internet speeds, then you should consider fiber-optic internet.
However, fiber-optic services are not available in all states, and only a handful of ISPs, And see the best offer in Valdosta by Mediacom Valdosta Ga.
Choosing the Best Internet Plan
Now that you know the different types of broadband services out there, you should determine which one these are available in your area. Here are some things you should consider when choosing the best home-internet plan:
Download Speeds
Download speed refers to how fast your computer or device takes to download online data. For instance, playing an online game or downloading a movie are all activities where you need faster download speeds.
Fast download speed ensures that you have a smooth internet experience, such as no-buffering issues.
Upload Speeds
Upload speed refers to the speed at which your computer or device sends data to somewhere or someone else on the internet. Fast upload speeds allow you to transfer files much faster, especially if you do that regularly.
That said, you should be fine with decent upload speeds if you rarely upload any data online.
Data Limits
When broadband was initially introduced, data limits were rare. You could download anything as you felt like, and in all honesty, people did that. This led to ISPs introducing data caps in most of their plans.
However, as long as you don’t download too much or watch high-resolution videos all the time, data limits should not bother you.
Unused or Unnecessary Devices Connected to Your Internet
We call such devices, ‘zombie devices’. They don’t harm you, but they can easily be active in the background, consuming data all day long, and even at night. You may not even be aware of these devices being connected to the internet, but they are indeed eating your data.
Some of these devices include smart appliances, security cameras, and more. Anything connected to the internet but not in use can eat your data. So look out for any of these devices before you consider a home-internet plan.
Final Thoughts
This guide was meant to help you decide the kind of internet connection you prefer and need, and what factor you should consider when choosing the best home-internet plan. Overall, it’s not as complicated as it sounds and we hope you now have a clearer understanding of how this guide can help you!
