Moving to your first home is a big deal. Honestly, it is a milestone that most people get to in their twenties.
Three years ago, when I moved out of my home, I was just 18. Things were fun, exciting, and daunting at the same time. While my parents were a bit skeptical about my moving, I was excited to wear my big boy pants and face the world head-on. While I was earning decent money, I realized the real world is not as simple as my parents made me believe. One of the many adult decisions I had to make was to get a solid internet connection. Which ISP to choose, which package is right, and how much to pay?
If you are also in the same boat, this guide below covers everything you need to know to choose the right internet connection for your new home.
Everything to Know Before Choosing the Internet Connection for Your Home
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Availability
First things first: The availability of the internet in your locality plays a very important role. Since there are 50 states in the USA, most brands do not offer their services in all the states. Plus, their prices and packages may vary based on the location.
While going through a list of internet service providers, make sure to check which providers serve your area. Then compare their price and packages available. Some brands also offer bundling options which can help you save money in the long run. However, keep in mind that in metropolitan cities internet is generally much better, but prices are slightly higher.
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Customer Support
You are watching your favorite movie at midnight, but suddenly a buffering wheel appears.
What would be your reaction? Frustrated, right?
This is why good customer support matters. Make sure to pick an internet service provider that offers 24/7 customer support. Good customer support with a minimum response time will ensure that you get good service and a timely response to your complaint.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that some internet service providers especially cater to different ethnicities, ensuring that support is provided in their preferred languages. Case in point is telefono de Optimum through which Hispanic Optimum consumers can acquire information such as plan upgrades, billing, etc. without delay.
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Speed
Who wants a slow internet connection where loading a video takes hours? Not me.
This is the reason internet speeds play such an important role in the selection of a good internet connection. For reference, if you end up getting a decent package with a speed of anywhere up to 50Mbps, it is considered a good internet speed for a single user in an apartment. If you are sharing with multiple people, go for a higher-tiered plan that meets the streaming requirements of all devices.
Most good residential internet that have fiber connections offer symmetrical speeds. This way, you can enjoy a decent download and upload speed without feeling an impact on your online activity.
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Contract
You might want to move to a new house, or maybe you’re not satisfied with the current service provider, but you still have a contract. Breaching the contract means you will be required to pay the penalty. If you continue to stay with the same ISP, your work will suffer.
This is a common dilemma for most internet users in the US.
If you want to avoid this situation, a simple solution is to look for an ISP in your area that offers no contract. This way, you will always have an exit plan, whether you don’t like the service or are moving in the near future.
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Hidden Charges
Most internet service providers highlight words like “sale”, “free”, and “discount” in their offers. This makes you feel like you would be getting a great deal for your money, but that’s often not the case.
Nearly all the service providers use this tactic as a marketing strategy. To avoid getting distracted by these offers, you must focus on pricing details, rules, and regulations as well as clauses mentioned in fine print.
You won’t find information about most charges for technical service charges, installation charges and even equipment rent in their packages because they’re often not disclosed. Being informed about this now may save you from having to pay unnecessary charges.
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Value
Slightly controversial, but trust me when I say this, price is not the same as value. Most people think about saving big, so they end up picking the cheapest internet plan. Consequently, they end up with a package that just fulfills the bare minimum requirement!
A good way to calculate the value of a plan is to compare prices with the features. Make sure the speed, data, bandwidth, and other details can justify the price. Go through the fine print, as some of the brands have some details mentioned there.
Read More: How to Protect Your Personal Data Online
Now that you have reached the end of this write-up, I’m sure you are now familiar with all the details that can help you make an informed decision about buying your first internet connection for your new place. However, readers are still encouraged to research and understand their needs before they make a decision. Also, going through online reviews can really help you make a decision.
