5 Considerations Before Selecting an Internet Service

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Research shows that almost 4.66 billion people are actively using the internet today. Survival without the internet seems quite impossible in our age. For businesses and individuals alike, the internet provides a world of possibilities. It is important for one to know about the key points they should consider before selecting an internet service provider (ISP). The passage below will highlight important considerations for selecting an internet service. 

 

Is a Good ISP Available?computer

Many service providers do not provide coverage in rural areas. If the ISP is not present in your area then a high-cable or fiber connection will stand useless. I was lucky in this regard as Spectrum internet was available in my area of residence. In many cases, people living in rural areas have to rely on satellite internet options. The only other option they have other than this is via broadband or 4G-LTE networks. Check if your favorite ISP is present in your area. Otherwise, you may have to opt for alternate options.

 

Do the Speeds Meet Your Usage?

For most domestic users, it is convenient to shift to the TV when streaming slows down due to high network traffic. Businesses, however, cannot do the same. They need constant, fluent, and high internet speeds at all times. Depending on your location, check if your desired bandwidth is available. Do note that advertised speeds are almost always not available due to data losses. Consult with neighboring businesses to check what works for them. 

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Are Services Cost-effective?

Even if you’re affluent, it doesn’t mean spending on expensive internet packages is wise. Instead, you can use the same money to get voice and TV options as well. A $1000 internet connection for a small company of 10-20 employees makes no sense at all. Check if the cost of the connection is in alignment with your needs or not. Find out about the different offerings from the ISPs in your region. Choose a package that addresses your needs effectively.

 

What Type of Connection Works for You?computer

The type of connection you have in order to access the internet makes a big difference. Satellite internet, even though it comes with decent download speeds of up to 25 Mbps, is thought of as slow. The guiding principle here is simple physics. The signals reach the satellite in space and that’s about 22,000 miles. Note that the signal has to move back and forth repeatedly in order to ensure the successful transmitting of information. It takes about 500 milliseconds for a successful transfer between the customer and the satellite. 

If you’re used to high speeds, this is going to be a problem. It doesn’t seem much but becomes taxing when you execute heavier tasks. Compare this to 4G-LTE and the time for smooth signal transfer is only 100 milliseconds. And if we talk about fiber, the latency is even better. It’s only 20 milliseconds! Impressive, right? Go for the solution that is most conducive to your daily requirements!

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Is Your Selected ISP Reliable?

Most internet service providers provide SLAs for the corporate sector. This means that if you’re a business, you get to enter into a contract with them and they provide you exclusive offers for maintenance, etc. Make sure that you take services from an ISP that is trusted and reliable. An ISP that has internet outage issues and takes longer in maintenance activities will affect your business negatively. 

Today, it is very important for businesses to communicate with their clients/partners over the internet. If this service is unavailable even for a short time, it is quite easy to imagine the possible chaos. Remember, your repute depends on your online availability. If the internet is down, you’re virtually non-existent and your client may not be able to reach you when they need you the most. That’s immensely taxing on your reputation as a company.

 

Make sure that you choose an ISP that is able to take care of your needs at all times. An ISP that provides good maintenance services will be a great partner in the long run. I live in a remote area and understand that a power outage may happen. I am glad that Spectrum TV customer service has always been helpful. An ISP must assist you in difficult times. A smooth internet connection is necessary to compete in today’s world. 

Hope that you will be able to make an informed decision after reading this blog.