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How to Choose The Best Internet Service Provider for You
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Internet has become our lives’ most important asset as everything from work to communication and entertainment depends on a solid connection and fast internet speed. The best internet speeds and network connection always depend on your internet service provider. And finding the right internet service provider can be a little challenging without proper research.
In this article, we will provide some tips and advice that can guide you to your best internet service provider.
How to Choose The Best Internet Service Provider for You
Tip #1: Consider Your Needs
First of all, before jumping to the cheapest plans and providers, it is crucial to consider your internet needs. Ask yourself whether you need your internet for your home, office, gaming & entertainment, or family or individual use.
Depending on internet usage, you will need a provider and a plan that delivers speeds accordingly.
Tip #2: Connection Type
The best internet service and fastest speeds are delivered by fiber-optic internet. If your location and address are eligible and covered with fiber, we recommend you opt for fiber as it offers fast speeds up to 1 Gig and more.
A cable connection is also good, but if 5G home internet is available in your area, it can be well worth your money.
Tip #3: Prices
Internet plan prices differ from provider to provider and from location to location. You will need to account for not only the monthly bill but any underlying costs such as setup and installation, router or modem rental or purchase, data overages, and cancellation fees.
The best internet service providers usually offer zero cancellation fees and free modem or gateway devices.
Tip #4: Consider unlimited data
Most internet service providers include a data cap on their monthly internet plans, meaning you only get to use 100 GB per month, for example. Using extra data from your data cap can add extra charges to your bill or have your speed throttled, or both.
However, some internet service providers offer unlimited data with their plans, which are a great option if you regularly stream movies in HD or attend Zoom meetings.
Estimated Internet Speed Requirements
If you are not sure how fast your internet speed should be, here is an estimate of internet speeds required for some online activities for one user:
- Basic web use: 1 Mbps
- Streaming music: 5 Mbps
- SD video streaming: 4 Mbps
- HD video streaming: 8 Mbps
- 4K video streaming: 25 Mbps
- Video calls: 2 Mbps
- Online gaming: 5 Mbps
We also recommend you test your current internet speed to help you decide on a future internet speed and plan.
Internet Service Provider Recommendations
1. EarthLink
EarthLink is our top internet service provider recommendation. It is the U.S’s oldest and one of the most popular internet providers. EarthLink offers a range of internet services, including:
- Fiber
- Satellite for rural areas
- Wireless home internet
- Business Internet
EarthLink’s internet covers all 50 states. However, its prices may differ from location to location. Its advertised internet plans are as follows:
- Fiber Internet (up to 5 Gigs): starting at $59.99/month
- Wireless Home Internet: starting at $64.95/month
- Satellite Internet: Quote based
- Business Internet: Quote based
2. AT&T
Our second recommendation goes for AT&T. It is a giant-leading internet service provider that offers fast, reliable, secure 5G and multi-gig fiber internet. AT&T offers fiber, wireless home internet, mobile internet, and DSL.
Its advertised internet plans are as follows:
Fiber Internet:
- 5 GIG Speed: $180/month +taxes
- 2 GIG Speed: $110/month +taxes
- Up to 1 GIG Speed: $80/month +taxes
- 500Mbps Speed: $65/month +taxes
- 300Mbps Speed: $55/month +taxes
Fixed Wireless Internet:
- Standalone 10Mbps: $69.99/month +taxes
- Bundled AT&T Wireless Services 10Mpbs: $59.99/month +taxes
Mobile Wireless Plans:
- AT&T UNLIMITED PREMIUM℠ PLAN: $85/month per line
- AT&T UNLIMITED EXTRA® PLAN: $75/month per line
- AT&T UNLIMITED STARTER® PLAN: $65/month per line
3. Verizon
Verizon is our last internet service provider recommendation. Verizon offers the most reliable 5G network with no data cap plans, auto pay discounts, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Verizon services 51 states and territories and offers Fiber, Business, 5G, Home Wireless Internet, and Mobile Internet.
Its internet plans are as follows:
5G Home
- 5G Home: $25/month with AutoPay and select 5G mobile plans
- $50/month with Auto Pay
- $60/month without Auto Pay
- 5G Home Plus: $35/month with AutoPay and select 5G mobile plans
- $70/month with Auto Pay
- $80/month without Auto Pay
Fiber Home:
1 Gig: $64.99/month with AutoPay and select 5G mobile plans
- $89.99/month with Auto Pay
- Order online to save a $99 Setup fee.
500 Mbps: $44.99/month with AutoPay and select 5G mobile plans
- $69.99/month with Auto Pay
- Order online to save $99 setup fee
300 Mbps: $24.99/month with AutoPay and select 5G mobile plans
- $49.99 per month with Auto Pay
- Order online to save $99 Setup fee
LTE Home Internet:
LTE Home: $25/month with AutoPay and select 5G mobile plans
- $50/month with Auto Pay
- $60/month without Auto Pay