Tips to Choose the Right Internet Plan

Picking a reliable internet service provider (ISP) is one thing, and selecting the right internet plan is another. Your chosen ISP is likely to showcase a few or more internet plans to pick from because customer demands vary – there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

The greater the variety, the harder the decision-making process – it doesn’t matter what you’re shopping for. When put in charge of choosing the best internet plan for your home, it’s a big responsibility indeed.

Do I pick the cheapest one? Perhaps the fastest one is the best? These are the kind of questions that come to mind when you don’t know how to pick an internet plan. Prepare to transform from clueless to connoisseur because we’ll provide the ammo you need to conquer this quest with flying colors.

Key Considerations for Choosing an Internet Plan

The most convoluted riddles can be solved in minutes with the right knowledge and understanding. In the same way, being aware of the key factors to consider before choosing an internet plan is how you secure your victory.

These golden tips will help you identify the right internet plan in no time:

1. Assess Your Internet Usage

We all need an internet plan that can effortlessly support our day-to-day online activities. When we’re sharing the network with multiple users in the house, everyone’s internet usage has to be taken into account.

The greater the number of people and connected devices, the higher the demand for . Every individual’s online activities also define your household’s monthly speed and data needs.

Many of us may indulge in online activities from all categories mentioned above, and most households tend to have a combination of light, moderate, and/or heavy internet users.

Now that you have grasped the nature of online activities in your household, you’re one step closer to figuring out what a compatible internet plan looks like.

2. Match Speed & Data Requirements

Internet plans are normally distinguished by achievable speeds, and data caps may vary for lower and higher-tier plans. The higher the maximum speed and data limit, the greater the number of connected devices your internet plan can support simultaneously.

Internet speed is typically measured in megabytes per second (Mbps), which represents how much data can be transferred per unit of time.

Here’s a quick overview of how much speed is required by common online activities:

The average internet user has 2-3 connected devices, and it is common practice to run multiple mobile applications at a time. Data adds up quickly at this rate, which is why choosing an internet plan with unlimited data is highly recommended; this way you won’t have to worry about overage fees and speed throttling after you’ve exhausted the limit.

On the other hand, a generous data cap of 1 TB or more is quite sufficient for the average household. Why spend more for data and speeds you don’t need, right?

The average household in the United States has 2.5 residents and consumes almost 700 GB of data in a month. Based on those statistics, a data allowance of 300 GB per person is a safe bet.

3. Understand the Types of Internet Connections

Typically, a consumer has three or more internet providers to choose from, which may differ by connection type and diversity of plans. Understanding the reliability and cost of different types of internet connections is yet another important aspect of choosing the right internet plan.

4. Compare Available Options

Depending on where you live, your options might be plenty or limited. Consumers from big cities usually have more choices, and wired broadband is easily available. On the other hand, households in rural or remote areas might only have access to a few wireless services like satellite internet.

Compare internet plans of different ISPs operating in your area to determine which best suits your unique internet requirements and budget. Many internet providers offer low promotional prices to new customers; however, you may have to enter a term contract to qualify for discounted rates.

While contract-free internet plans with unlimited data are recommended, they might not necessarily be the best option for everyone. Moreover, the cheapest internet plan may not offer the best value and a multi-gig speed plan would be overkill for a small household of light to moderate internet users.

5. Calculate Total Cost

The advertised charges of an internet plan are often exclusive of equipment rentals and government taxes. Additionally, your first internet bill is likely to include installation charges and other undisclosed fees, such as a one-time service activation fee.

You are advised to read the fine print and inquire about hidden charges before signing up with a new ISP. If you’re getting a low price as part of a promotion, you should be aware of the price change after the promotional period ends.

One way to reduce your monthly internet expenses is by using your own equipment rather than renting it from the ISP. You can also save money by bundling your internet with other services like cable TV and phone.  

6. Ensure Reliability

Unreliable internet can cause unnecessary stress, delay work, and hurt your productivity. Low-cost internet plans are no good if you have to deal with frequent outages and excessive downtime. The best ISPs out there guarantee 99.999% uptime, which means the acceptable downtime per year is about 52 minutes only.

Nevertheless, network issues will arise sooner or later. Every so often, slow internet is the result of problems on the user’s end; common causes include outdated hardware/software, malware, and damaged equipment.

Aim for ISPs that are known for quality customer service, as they will quickly resolve technical issues or provide convenient solutions. You can evaluate an internet provider's customer support system and overall reliability by referring to their social channels/forums and customer reviews.

Are You Ready to Choose the Right Internet Plan?

Now you have all the important information required to choose the best internet plan yourself – use it wisely. Don’t forget to look out for special offers and discounts while you’re exploring your internet options.

You can get a great price during seasonal promotions such as holiday internet deals or cut down monthly costs with student internet deals. Last but not least, beware of contract terms, cancellation policies, and renewal rates.

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