Having a reliable internet connection at home is not just a luxury anymore for the majority of us. According to a recent study conducted by Kelton Research and commissioned by Google, the following stats show the role of the internet connection in the modern world:
- 57 percent of internet users think that their Wi-Fi connection is like their best friend,
- 25 percent of users compared it to their partner,
- 68 percent stated their loneliness without Wi-Fi,
- 79 percent believe that their life would suffer without it,
- 82 percent say that they would be outdated.
The importance of the internet in our lives has grown exponentially in the past few years. The term, ‘global village’ was coined for the internet in the 1960s, and it is so much relevant. The world has come closer since the inclusion of the internet and its correspondents in our lives. Today, thanks to it, you can book a hotel room in Ritz Paris for a happy summertime from your condo in Chicago, you can order an original Birkin bag from the comfort of your living room, and can consult a world-renowned pediatrician for your kid over a zoom call. Any task that could have been done online is being done online and that is the beauty of it. Since the coronavirus pandemic hit the entire world, the global economy suffered a major blow for a few weeks before everything got set up to function online. So, when I say that the internet is not just a luxury anymore but a necessity, you should believe me.
Source: pinterest.com
As significant as the internet has become in our lives, it is rather frustrating to find out that our internet service providers are playing with it and if you feel like that, you are not alone. According to the aforementioned study by Kelton Research, 81 percent of the router users have experienced Wi-Fi problems including inconsistent connections, slower speeds during rush hours, and outages. Furthermore, the router users state that they, on average, experience these problems almost thrice a week.
The explanation is that internet connections are complex and can get influenced by hiccups including gating, network congestion, and other variables. Much of these factors are even out of your ISP’s reach. According to the 10th Fixed Broadband Report by Federal Communications Commission, ISPs like Spectrum, Optimum, Mediacom, and Comcast supply more median download speed than what they advertise. The same report suggests that ten out of the twelve ISPs that were evaluated performed better than their advertised speeds for at least 80 percent of the day. Relying on this report, it is safe to say that some ISPs are better than others in terms of connection, reliability, and speeds – you can click here to learn more about the internet plans being offered by one of the best ISPs, as per the report.
Source: azbigmedia.com
Getting the best speeds from your ISP is a task. You need to first be knowledgeable about your bandwidth requirements and then should be able to figure the plan that suits your lifestyle most appropriately. Once this is done, you need to be aware of what your bill will look like. Most ISPs do not share concrete data when getting you onboard which results in major disappointment after you get your first bill. For such reasons, make sure to understand all the accompanying charges. Here is a brief discussion of the charges that you need to look out for:
- Rental fees – most internet providers have rolled out the option to pay for their router or modem on a monthly basis. The charges range from 5 dollars to 20 dollars depending upon the ISP. However tempting this offer might be, it is always a better financial decision to buy your own equipment.
- Installation charges – these charges vary the big time and depend entirely on the service provider. Many ISPs do not even charge for professional installation as a sweet gesture and many would charge you less if you go for a bundle deal.
- Overage charges – some ISPs cap your data usage on a monthly basis and in the event that you go over those charges, you would have to pay an additional fee. Lucky for you, there are reliable internet providers that do not have any data limitations and allows users to enjoy the internet without worrying about any caps.
- Cancellation charges – most internet providers have contracts with a cancellation clause that you need to sign up to get their services. So, if you will want to cancel the subscription before time, you will have to pay up the early termination charges.
Source: firstcoastnews.com
The thing that you should remember is that you need to get an internet connection from an ISP that speaks to you, and it is better to go with a provider that has no contracts but if you do want to bind yourself in a contract for lesser rates, make sure that they are appropriate for you.
Things can get occasionally salty even with the best ISP and the perfect plan. So, what should you do then? Some hacks can be used to speed up your existing connection:
- Checking your data cap – this should be the first thing that you should do. If you have a plan that adheres to some sort of data restrictions, you might suffer lower speeds during the last days of the month. The best is to get a plan that has no data caps. If you have knowledge of whether or not you have a cap, all you need to do is check your bill. You can also contact the customer service department for assistance.
- Restart your router – much like ourselves, our machines also get tired. Resetting your router can make a big difference. Also, it might help in getting better speeds. You should make a routine to reset your router each month. If you use a modem as well, reset it too.
- Change your router’s position – keeping your router in a central position is the best. Make sure to put it at some height and unlike popular opinion, please do not put it in a wardrobe. If it is being physically blocked by something, your internet connection can get compromised. Furthermore, appliances emitting radiofrequency should be kept away from the router.
The Last Word
In this article, we have shared everything that you need to choose your internet provider. For higher speeds, signing up with the best ISP should always be the priority. For occasional connection hiccups, use the hacks discussed above. If the problem persists, contact the customer service team of your provider.
