Moving is hard; from packing up your entire life in a U-Haul truck and then unpacking it in a place that feels anything but home.
But, no matter how emotionally and physically draining moving is, it also gives us a fresh start. It might give you a much-needed reprieve from a Karen neighbor or an infuriating landlord.
In my case, I was happy to finally break up with the ONLY internet provider in my old town. Since I was moving near my new city’s downtown, I was very excited about all the ISP options I was going to get.
Stable internet connectivity is a right for the modern consumer. This is why choosing an internet provider after the big move is a critical feat.
However, finding and choosing an internet provider is equally complex as buying a home. You can get stuck with long contracts from a terrible provider. Or you can overestimate your internet needs and end up choosing a pricier internet plan.
So, to save you from ending up in these situations, I am sharing the top things you should consider while finding internet near you.
Note that these considerations are not in any specific order.
Which Internet Providers Are Available In Your Area?
An important step when getting internet for your new home is checking which providers are available in your area.
There are roughly 3000 internet providers in the US, and yet you can still end up like me ‑ stuck with speeds as slow as a banana slug. This is because not all providers offer internet services everywhere in the US.
For that, you can ask around which connection your neighbors have. You can also go to each provider’s website and search for ISPs in your area by entering your ZIP code. But that will take too long and too much of your energy.
I found a smarter way to do that. You can visit reseller platforms like LocalCableDeals and use their provider-finder tool. All you have to do is enter your new ZIP code, and it will list all providers available in your area.
Which Connection Type Should You Go For?
Another important thing to consider is which connection type you should go for. There are many types of internet connections, each with its own pros and cons. Here are some things you should know about the most popular internet connection types.
- Fiber Internet is unparalleled in terms of reliability and speed, I am talking about speeds up to 20 Gbps. But it is on the pricier side and has limited availability in the US.
- Cable Internet is a winner in terms of affordability. It can fulfill the bandwidth requirement of an average American home (10 Mbps to 1 Gbps). But peak hours negatively impact its performance.
- 5G Home Internet is popular because of its good speed and easy accessibility. Speeds can go up to 1 Gbps. However, its inconsistent performance is one major disadvantage.
What are Your Internet Speed Requirements?
Knowing how much internet speed you need allows you to opt for the internet plan with the best value for money. You do not want to end up with a high-speed internet plan where you’ll be using only 20% of it.
To evaluate how much speed you truly need, you can ask yourself the following questions.
- How many active internet users do you have in your home?
- How many devices in your home need an internet connection to function?
- What kind of activities do you need an internet connection for?
Answering these questions will give you a vague idea about which internet speed is good for you. Just to give you an idea: 25Mbps is good enough for generic internet activities like browsing, streaming, and using social media with up to 2 internet users.
Online gaming needs 50 Mbps, especially if you’re downloading large games. But if you have a smart home and are working remotely and need internet for high-fidelity activities like multiplayer online gaming and 4k live streaming with more than five users, then you need speeds up to 1000 Mbps
Other Minor Considerations You Should Keep in Mind
Apart from that you also need to be mindful of the following things before subscribing to an internet provider.
- Does the internet provider have data caps?
- Is there a price hike after the promo period ends?
- Does the internet provider bind you in any contract?
- What are the real vs. advertised speeds?
- Are there any hidden charges?
- Is the installation complementary?
Keeping these factors in mind will give you a head start in your search for internet providers, so you don’t end up stuck with a terrible one.
Happy hunting!