Depending upon your locale, you might have limited internet service providers in option. However, with little knowledge, you can make the wrong choice even with the best internet service providers on your list. Nevertheless, you have come to the right place to find all the possible tips you need to choose the best internet plan with the best internet service providers.
Read the blog until the end to find what your internet needs are, and which internet service is capable to meet them.
How to choose an internet-only plan
When it comes to choosing the best internet plan for your home or office, there are many factors to consider. To ease your stress, we have done some research. We have combed through dozen of data speeds, plans, customer reviews to find you the best fit for your internet demands. However, before you jump on to our recommended mentioned here, here are the factors you have to know about when choosing the perfect internet plan for your place.
Speed
Speed might be the most crucial factor considered when choosing an internet plan. After the coronavirus outbreak, you too must have found your current internet plan not up to the mark. This is because after the mega work transition when millions of workers were forced to work from home, internet needs shifted. Not only employees but children with online school and people with entertainment needs required a lot more internet speed and bandwidth than ever.
Even now, as we have approached a time with lesser pandemic caused restrictions, many employees are still working from home while kids are continuing to study online. This means that now that you have finally decided to switch to a better internet plan, you should consider the changes in your home that you were unaware of before.
As several devices in your home are connected to the internet, you have to find a plan that is capable of catering to your needs adequately, so you do not have to deal with slow internet connection and troubles that come with it. For those working from home, finding the right speed internet speed is crucial, as it does not add to the experience of slow connection to websites, or running with the laptop in hand to find just the right place to catch Wi-Fi signals.
For some, a lower internet speed can work if they have fewer devices to connect to, but this surely does not mean that they will have an affordable plan. You have to understand how much data you use for specific online activities. This is because the last thing you want is waiting for the downloads to get ready or a snail-paced upload speed.
Contract
Most of the internet service providers operate month-to-month basis. However, this does not mean that you can close your eyes when choosing an internet service provider. You have to check whether your potential ISP deals on a month-to-month basis or have an annual agreement or something similar. Contracts can sometimes get tricky and it is hard for a regular customer to get the understanding through additional charges and more. Make sure you get all the details before giving your word to any ISP.
Price
Internet service providers are good with advertising. Most of them will display an eye-catching internet plan, which is actually a promotional offer but seems like a lifetime opportunity. You have to identify which internet plan you are choosing and what is its actual cost in the long run when the promotion is no longer valid. Some of the Internet service providers will include installation, activation, and equipment fees that are not displayed along with the advertised pricing. Other internet service providers require additional rental charges for the internet equipment and charge additional fees if you exceed data limits. Therefore, before you get lured by discounted prices, make sure you get all the information you need about the final billing.
Equipment
Some internet service providers ask their customers to use only their provided equipment while others allow the customers to buy their own equipment. Moreover, those who allow you to use your modem will cost you a lot less than renting out all the equipment from the ISP.
Customer service
Customer service is one of the most overlooked factors when it comes to choosing a good internet plan. In our opinion, customer service should be on top of your list. It is ironic how the factor is not even at the top of this list, but you get the point. Inevitably, you will need tech support no matter how good you think your internet service is.
Customer service is the key differentiator between internet service providers. A provider that can solve tech issues over a simple phone call is a lot easier to deal with than those who make you wait for an unimaginable amount of time. There are a number of good internet providers that send over their technicians at lightning speed, even for the slightest problem. So you have to make sure you check on the reviews regarding your potential internet service provider.
Reasons to Pick an Internet-Only Plan
There are a number of internet service providers like Spectrum, Cox, AT&T, Xfinity, and more that offer bundling options to their customers. The core reason is to make it affordable for the customers.
There are a handful of reasons for you to bundle your internet with a good cable TV service or phone service but there is also a list of reasons to choose only an internet plan. Here they are:
Promos
As we said above, many internet service providers offer promotional pricing to their customers. Either internet service providers offer promos or gift cards on a limited-time basis to their customers. You can find the current promotions that they offer by contacting the relevant customer support.
Savings
These days people do not prefer having traditional style cable TV service in their home. There are ample options for streaming your favorite TV shows online, and that too affordably. Also with internet service providers offering modern-day cable streaming services like Hulu, Peacock, and more, you could add on to your internet plan with other services.
Well, again we believe that bundling your cable TV service with your internet plan can help with keeping your entertainment bill under budget. However, if your entertainment needs are limited, then you do not need a bundle to manage your expenses. You can just get a good internet-only plan that matches your need. In addition, some internet service providers have internet-only plans that cost a lot less than bundled services.
Reliability
An internet-only plan can provide a lot more reliable options than bundling services can. In some cases, if you have an internet-only plan. You can continue streaming your favorite TV shows online regardless of how your cable TV services work. However, if you bundle your cable TV and internet service from Spectrum or Cox, then you are likely to get reliable service in all cases.
Gaming needs
If you are a serious gamer, then you need some serious internet plan. When you pick a bundled service, you might have to limit your internet needs to get a good deal for your home. However, if your sole requirement for gaming is to have high-speed internet service, then you should consider an internet-only plan. A bundled package might not give you the internet speed you need, particularly under budget.
Internet Service Providers to Consider
By now, you must have identified the factors you need to have the best internet plan for your home. While these factors help choose the internet plan, you first need to connect with a reliable internet service provider.
If you are not living in a rural area, then there are high chances for you to have more than one internet service provider available in your area. However, not every internet service provider could perfectly your needs. You need to boil down your options by comparing the factors mentioned above.
If you want to limit your stress and keep your research skills safe, then we have some recommendations for you.
Spectrum Internet
One of the most reliable names in the Internet service industry is Spectrum. Spectrum offers a bunch of internet plans that are for all kinds of households.
If you are looking for an internet-only plan, then Spectrum Internet offers one for $49.99/mo. for 12 months. The Spectrum Internet plan includes speed up to 200 Mbps, parental control, free anti-virus software, free modem, unlimited data, and more.
The internet plan also includes the My Spectrum App that lets you pay your bill, change your Wi-Fi password, manage your account, and more. The speed is enough for streaming video games, downloading music, uploading photos, and using the internet throughout your home on multiple devices while keeping your Spectrum Billing affordable.
However, if you are looking for a better deal that fits all of the entertainment and internet needs at home, then we recommend you to have a look at Spectrum bundles. Now you have got the freedom to customize your bundle as per your needs and budget with Spectrum.
If you are looking for higher-tier internet plans, then you could choose Spectrum Internet Ultra and Spectrum Internet Gig for faster speeds. With Spectrum TV, you could include the Spectrum TV Select plan in your bundle. The base TV plan comes with 125+ channels along with free HD, free Spectrum TV app, thousand of on-demand movies and TV shows. And you could add more to your plan with add-on tiers and premium networks, and that too as per your need. You could choose from Entertainment View, Sports View, Latino View, and International packs; and even enjoy the pick of your premium networks such as HBO (HBO Max), SHOWTIME, Cinemax, STARZ & STARZ ENCORE, EPIX, TMC, and more at competitive rates
Cox Internet
Another amazing internet service provider for you to consider is Cox. Cox Communications offer the best Internet, TV, and phone bundles to its customers. If you are looking for an internet-only plan, then Cox Internet offers a download speed range from 25 Mbps to 1000 Mbps. Cox Internet also comes with a 1.25 TB data allowance every month and reliable Wi-Fi coverage with saving and other benefits. Like Spectrum, Cox also offers a 30-days money-back guarantee along with affordable Cox Internet prices. You can get all of this and more by subscribing to Cox Internet packages starting at $29.99/mo. for 12 months with a 1-year agreement.
Cox Communication also offers standalone cable TV and phone service plans with Cox Contour TV and Cox Voice Preferred, respectively. Cox Communications is also a reliable service provider for home security as it offers 24/7 security with professional monitoring via Cox home life.
Bottom Line
There are several factors to consider when opting for an internet plan. However, if you are connected to a good internet service provider, then you can cut the hassle and find the internet plan that suits your needs.
