Choosing an internet plan is a complicated decision, and sometimes comparing plans can feel like the equivalent of comparing apples to oranges. With varying speeds, contracts, and options, it’s hard to know where to start. Also – with just about every provider offering similar deals, how can you tell which company is truly giving you the best internet for your buck? To make things easy for you, we’ve put together this guide to help you choose the right internet plan.
Know What Your Options Are
First, you need to know which internet plans are available where you reside. Keep in mind that no matter how well-priced and reliable a plan is, it’s not really going to help if it’s not available in your neighborhood.
Compare Internet Speeds of Different Plans
When it comes to the internet, two numbers matter more than anything else: the download speed and the upload speed. Download speeds indicate how fast you can move information from the web to your laptop or smartphone. Upload speeds indicate how fast you can move information from your device to the internet. For most people, the download speed is what really matters. Things like streaming videos and loading large files or apps depend on a quick download speed. Given this, download speed is where you should focus your attention. But if you game a lot or do a lot of video calling, pay attention to the upload speed as well.
Consider how Reliable the Plan Is
When you don’t have reliable internet, it can seriously disrupt your day-to-day life. Think about all the tasks that require you to be online: streaming videos and music, video chatting with friends and family members, paying bills and shopping for necessities, applying for jobs or school—the list goes on and on. If you have unreliable service, those things become increasingly difficult to do—and if you lose connection entirely, they become impossible. You might think that having a fast internet connection is all you need to watch videos or play games without interruption. Unfortunately, reliability is just as important. If you want to compare how reliable different plans are, make sure to read online reviews shared by customers.