Nowadays there are so many options to choose from when selecting an internet service provider (ISP). Once you have established that an ISP will cover your area, you should consider a number of factors and shop around before making a final decision. We look at the key points that you need to take into consideration whether the service is for your home or small business.
Availability
Fiber is continuously being rolled out as ISPs vie for their market share. If the provider you want to go with has not reached your area yet, you can ask them whether they plan to cover your address in the near future and when this is scheduled to happen. As pricing structures and benefits differ quite drastically between some providers, you may decide it is worth waiting a month or two for coverage by the desired company. However, if this will take too long, you will have to consider the providers who can offer you immediate service.
Bandwidth And Speed
Bandwidth and speed are not identical. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be uploaded or downloaded for each period. Speed refers to how slow or fast the internet connection is. Both of these factors need to be adequate for your business or home needs. If data takes too long to download/upload or the service is continuously buffering, this will hinder your productivity or enjoyment of the service.
Price
For home users, pricing is a critical factor and depends on what you can afford. Determine your upper limit and discount service providers or packages that exceed this. You don’t want to not meet your monthly expenses budget.
A business usually has far more leeway to pay more for the speed that they need. First, decide the minimum acceptable speed you need. Then compare packages and pricing.
Dependability
A business cannot afford disruptions to their internet service as this has a direct impact on their productivity. This means that the internet connection you choose must not go down frequently. The same is true if you are running a business from home. Work stops when the internet service is disrupted. Pin the service provider down to a Service Level Agreement that details the standards of service they will provide and the turnaround time for faults.
Compare Item To Item
Comparisons of service providers involve looking at several dimensions of the service. For example, comparing Cox internet vs ATT shows that Cox only offers symmetrical speeds and a vacation saving plan. AT&T ticks off most of the boxes but does not provide local service support and free installation plus a vacation saving plan on all packages.
Evaluate Contracts
Typically, a contract is for one calendar year. Before committing to this with a specific provider, do your homework. Read reviews and compare contract terms and service levels.
Ideally, you should choose once and choose wisely. But, in reality, you may have to see how a service performs during a free trial and if all the provider’s promises are met.