If you’re looking to change or set up a new internet connection and aren’t sure about what you should be looking for, you’ve come to the right place. Any internet connection will get you online, but you need to take a little time to understand what makes for a good internet connection that will keep you satisfied in the long run.
You may find one that costs less, but you could be stuck with a slow connection, or one with frequent downtimes, and lousy customer service. Luckily, it’s not that difficult to tell the good internet service providers (ISPs) from the bad. But sometimes we’re just too distracted or too much in a hurry to get online, and we miss out on the warning signs. Here’s what you should be looking out for:
Bandwidth
This represents how powerful your internet connection can be. Smaller bandwidths mean that downloading a file will take longer than it would with a larger bandwidth. The same logic applies to content streaming too. If you intend to use your internet connection for video streaming that a small bandwidth connection just won’t do. Internet bandwidth is measured in Megabits per second, which is usually represented as Mbps. The higher that number, the faster your connection will be. Also, remember that ISPs often only mention download speeds. This number needs to be high, but you should also know what your upload speed is. If you plan on using video conference services, you’ll need an upload speed of about 5Mbps.
Cost
The internet service provider is free to charge whatever fees they feel like charging for the service they provide. These prices are usually non-negotiable and are an important factor for all customers since everyone is concerned about their finances. This means that each user needs to figure out the connection speed and data cap that they can afford. But, some providers charge significantly more for connections that make them bad deals even for people that can afford them. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check all the service providers in your area and compare the type of connection and their costs. Study the plans available in your area, do some research on the types of connections available, and only then choose an ISP.