How To Choose Your Internet Provider – A Step By Step Guide

Researching and choosing a new internet provider isn't a fun experience. It can be lengthy, frustrating and confusing, but with the proper research you can find internet service that's perfect for your family. If you're already confused or you don't know where to start, here are some easy to follow steps on how to choose your next internet provider. Let's get started!

Step 1: Figure Out What Internet Speeds You Need

Before you start searching for internet providers and plans, the first step you should take is to figure out what internet speeds you need. Figure out how you and everyone in your household plans on using your internet connection. From there, you'll be able to determine what internet speeds you truly need.

By completing this step first, you'll be able to look at internet providers and their plans objectively without bias. People often get excited by an appealing monthly rate or promotional offer and sign up right away without fully considering if the internet speeds they're offering will be acceptable for how they plan on using the connection. Plus, you'll save time by not having to compare every detail of every internet plan if you can easily rule some out that are too slow for your family.

Most households have multiple family members and multiple devices connected online at the same time. This along with streaming TV, online gaming and working from home will require faster internet speeds than the starting tier of service by any internet provider.

Here's a simple chart showing common internet speeds, how many users they can support and what activity level they can handle:

Step 2: Determine How Much You Can Comfortably Afford Each Month

Next sit down with the family budget and determine how much you can comfortably afford each month on internet service. We recommend preparing a range that won't strain your wallet or force your family to cut back on other bills in the budget.

No matter what your family's internet needs are, you can expect to pay about $60 a month on internet service alone. The average starting price for internet service in the United States is around $35 a month, but most families are paying much higher than that. If $60 a month sounds like too much to afford right now, most internet providers do have low income internet plans available to households who qualify.

Step 3: Check What Internet Providers Are Available At Your Address

After completing step one and step two, you're now ready for step three; check what internet providers are available at your address. This step is important because not all internet providers will service your address even if they're available in other neighborhoods across town. For example, someone searching in New York state might have Spectrum Internet and Verizon, when someone searching in Texas has Windstream, HughesNet Satellite Internet, and AT&T.

You can expect internet providers and their plans to vary, which can be a good or bad thing depending on where you live. In rural areas you can find satellite, DSL and dial-up with the very max internet speeds only topping 100 Mbps. In suburban and rural areas you can find cable and fiber internet with max speeds up to 2000 Mbps in select areas.

Step 4: Compare Internet Providers & Their Plans

Now that you have all your internet options in front of you, it's time to compare what you've found. To compare internet providers and their plans, you'll want to know the following about each plan to ensure you're truly making an informed choice:

● Internet speeds: What download and upload speeds will you be receiving?

● Monthly Price: How much will internet service cost you each month?

● Contracts: Are there any contracts? If so, are there early termination fees and how much? You'll want to know just in case you have to move.

● Data Plans: Are there any data plans or data caps?

● Technology: What type of internet will you be receiving? DSL, satellite, cable, fiber, fixed wireless, etc.

● Added Fees: Are there extra fees? One time or recurring like installation fees, equipment lease fees, Wi-Fi fees, etc.

● Customer Satisfaction: Are their current customers happy with their service? How is their customer service? Is their internet service reliable?

As you work through your list of what's available to you, compare it to your family's needs. Automatically cross internet plans off your list that simply won't work for your family. Whether the plan is too slow or too expensive, you don't want to go with what you already know won't work or you'll be shopping for internet service again in no time.

Step 5: Would You Like To Bundle Your Internet

With all your options in front of you, now is a good time to decide if you want to bundle your services together. Most internet providers offer more than internet including TV, home phone and some internet providers also offer home security and mobile phone service too. These bundle packages may save you money or may not. They could also have more features that you've been wanting for less or equal to what you're paying for now.

You don't necessarily have to decide right now if you want a bundle package if you don't want to. However, any special offer or new customer promotion might not be available later if you go with only the internet first. Whatever you decide, make sure that it's actually a good deal for your family before proceeding.

Step 6: Choose A Provider & Plan

You've done a lot of research and made a lot of decisions. Now it's time to choose the internet provider and plan that works for your family. You likely only have one or a few left to choose from.

Step 7: Schedule An Installation Date

Now it's time to call your new internet provider and order service. While on the phone, ask about your installation options and schedule an installation date if necessary. If you need professional installation, you'll want to choose a date and time that best works for you. You or someone who is 18 years old or older will have to be home at the time of the installation.

The other option is you can also choose a self installation if it's available to you. This way you won't need a technician to come over and you'll be able to install your equipment as soon as the self installation kit arrives by mail. Sometimes if your new internet provider has retail stores, you may be able to pick it up at your closest location and have a working internet connection as early as today.

Step 8: Cancel Your Old Service

Once you get your new internet service connected and it works to your satisfaction, it's time to cancel your old service. We recommend only cancelling after the new service is working properly so you're not left without an internet connection for any length of time.

Just remember after you call and cancel service, you will need to return any leased equipment in a timely manner and will still have to pay your last bill. If you don't return your equipment by the time your internet provider requests it back, you can be in for a surprise on the last bill and hefty charge for the cost of that unreturned equipment.