Many people searching for an ISP get hung up on whether they should opt for higher speeds or reliability from the service. The fact is, both are important to the overall value of the service, but if you’ve got specific internet needs, you may want to focus more on one over the other. Whether you’re a small business looking for an ISP to meet your business needs, or you simply need service for your home, here are some tips on choosing a service while considering speed and reliability. Here’s why you should look for both speed and reliability.
How fast is your internet service currently? Do you spend hours waiting on large files to download, or is your streaming service constantly buffering? The speed of your internet refers to how quickly data is transferred in your connection, and the higher your speed, the easier it is to download large files quickly or to stream HD video or audio. Many people get hung up on speed as the primary concern when it comes to internet service, and it’s easy to see why.
The first thing you’ll probably notice in an ISP advertisement is its speeds. ISPs advertise speeds as the differentiating factor between them and the competition. Cable internet boasts the “highest speeds”, but satellite internet isn’t far behind. You should definitely consider the internet speed when you’re looking for a new ISP, but don’t get hung up on only this part of the service.
A reliable connection is perhaps more important than the speed of the connection because even if you have the fastest internet available, you will not find it useful if the connection constantly fades in and out. We’ve all been victim to such a connection at one point or another, and frustration is hardly the word for it. You can’t exactly be productive with a connection that never stays connected!
Reliability depends largely on the equipment you’re using, and if you’re using satellite, it will depend on the quality of the signal and anything that is between your dish and the satellite itself. A good way to gauge the reliability of an internet service is to check out the customer reviews.
You can be certain that any customers who have suffered from an unreliable connection will be quick to leave a review about it. You can learn quite a bit from these reviews, not only about the reliability of the service but also about the company itself and its policies.
Besides the fact that slow internet makes productivity screech to a halt, and an unreliable connection can cause more than its share of frustration, you need both also because you’re paying for a service, and you shouldn’t be subjected to poor service for your efforts. When it comes to internet, some packages can cost well over $100 per month, and if they’re not working correctly, what are you paying for?
Unfortunately, not every ISP cares much for its reputation or the quality of its services. Large ISPs like Spectrum have been sued by previous customers for lying about speeds or providing services that were unlike what was advertised. A good web connection is pretty much an essential tool for modern life, so you would think ISPs would take their customer service and products seriously.
Luckily, you don’t have to stick with the large ISPs for your internet service. There are thousands of ISPs throughout the country, so you can find a locally-based smaller ISP with a better focus on its customer service and products. If you’re in the market, you can find the best ISP in your area on sites like Internet Advisor.
Don’t pay extra for higher speeds alone, but rather for better customer service, speed, and reliability together. The price of your internet service should reflect its quality. You don’t want to overpay for slow service, which is an all too common occurrence in the ISP industry. Be sure to read your terms of service carefully to be aware of any hidden fees or charges.
Choosing an ISP is no easy task, especially with so many options available and the largest IPSs seemingly drowning out the smaller local competitors. It can be easy to get lost in the endless marketing from large ISPs, and while they certainly control a large portion of the market, they’re not the only options available. Don’t forget that you don’t have to settle (unless that’s all there is available in your area).
Speed and reliability are both as important as the other. Without a reliable connection, your speed won’t matter much, and without decent internet speeds, you’ll become frustrated when you’re trying to stream or download large files.