5 things to consider when choosing an ISP:

We are living in the information age, where having the internet at home or work is as common as having a mobile phone. Most households across America have an internet connection. Whether they use it for business, online education, or purely for entertainment, there are just some things we cannot do without the internet.

When looking for an internet service provider, or ISP, it is important to research the different internet connection types, as the providers all offer different things. Choosing an ISP can be a daunting task, which can leave you feeling frazzled as you try to choose which option is the best for not only your needs, but your budget as well. An ISP is not only an internet connection, as they offer services such as website hosting. To get a better idea of which ISP offers the best, you can search review sites to read website hosting companies reviews.

We have compiled a list of the top 5 things to consider when choosing an ISP, and they are:
1) Availability:
It is important to note that availability of an ISP is very much dependent on your location. While dial-up and satellite internet connections are widely available, fiber optic cable internet connections might not be. You will need to do some research and determine which ISPs are available for your area, and of those available, which will suit your needs best.

2) Speed:
Internet connection speed is also based on location. The further you are away from the company’s base, the poorer the connection will be. When talking about internet speeds, we often use the term “bandwidth,” which refers to the volume of information per unit of time that the ISP can handle. With fiber connections, you can expect download speeds of up to 1000 megabits per second, while in the rural areas that only offer DSL connections, download speeds are roughly 3 to 6 megabits per second.

3) Cost:
When choosing an internet service provider, cost is an important factor to consider. It is a good idea to look at the pros and cons of each type of ISP available in your area, and then compare the costs by looking at download speeds, and extra services that might be available through an ISP, as well as what you will use the internet for. While ADSL is fine for home use for streaming movies and research purposes, fiber connections would be better for businesses that need a higher bandwidth and more reliable internet connection.

4) Types of connection:
There are 4 main types of internet connections:

●       Cable broadband – offered by your cable tv provider using coaxial cable tv wiring

●       DSL or digital subscriber lines – these are offered by phone companies

●       Satellite ISPs – uses a satellite dish to beam the internet to subscribers

●       Fiber optic broadband – using fiber optic cables for fast, reliable internet connectivity

Do some research into the pros and cons of each before you make your decision on which is the best ISP for you.

5) Reliability:
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to send an email or stream a movie with a slow or intermittent internet connection. Most ISPs offer Service Level Agreements, which guarantee the reliability of their internet lines. Customer support services are also an important factor in terms of reliability and have to do more with how fast the ISP can get you up and running when you are having connectivity issues.