When looking for a new internet service provider (ISP), it is important to spend some time and compare all the different features and minor differences. Finding the best plan and internet provider can really enhance your online experience.
While price and speed are often the first two factors to consider, there are many other important factors that can make the difference between a great online experience and a terrible one. Here’s what you should keep in mind when comparing internet service providers:
Customer Service
While fast internet is great, responsive customer service is invaluable if your connection goes out. If you are running a small business or you work from home, this becomes a more important factor. It is important to find out how difficult or easy it is to address problems with an ISP, and you can do this by checking customer satisfaction ratings online.
Installation and Equipment Costs
Generally, we look at how much we’re expected to pay every month. However, unexpected up-front costs like equipment and installation fees can add stress to your budget. It also helps to know which ISPs provide more options, such as the option to rent or buy equipment like routers and modems.
Overage Fees and Data Caps
Just like installation fees, data caps and overage fees can be a nasty surprise later down the road. This is particularly true if your plan has a fixed data cap. Based on how much data you use every month, a plan’s data limit might either be a deal-breaker or not even matter.
Contracts
It’s not worth getting roped into a long contract even for a low-priced plan. If you want to keep the option to switch providers or you might be relocating soon, it might be worth the trade-off to opt for ISPs that offer plans without monthly contracts.
Guarantees
Most providers have plans specifically geared toward small businesses that guarantee fast tech support, constant connection, or other benefits. For instance, some ISPs offer dedicated connections which are guaranteed to maintain a particular speed, even when there is high traffic on your network.
