High-Speed Internet Definition: What is a Fast Internet Speed and Good Internet Speed for Home
Oxygen is still the second most important thing to live nowadays. The first one is high-speed internet. It is the time of the era when everything and everyone is dependent on high-speed internet.
From sending emails to video conferencing, and streaming movies to playing even a small disruption in the internet could be quite frustrating. For instance, if you are gaming and right in the middle your internet stops working, you might end up losing the big battle and bet for which you need to pay the price.
In today’s world, almost all of the activities require high-speed internet. Be it streaming, downloading, gaming, socializing, or video conferencing, you cannot settle for slow-speed internet. Especially when it comes to large households and smart homeowners, high-speed internet is just like oxygen for living.
In recent times, digital marketing agencies and online businesses have increased the demand for high-speed internet. The demand for high-speed internet for business is becoming more and more due to the nature and dependency of work such as social media and website management, researching for the next blog post, or testing and developing a website.
On the other hand, demand for high-speed internet for home has also increased due to several reasons. For instance, entertainment platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and social websites have been widely popular among teens, adults, and kids to watch favorite shows, movies, original series, documentaries, cartoons, live TV channels, and much more.
Moreover, it is also used for controlling smart home devices like smart lighting, smart TV, smart speaker, and many more.
In fact, high speed internet for home and business is needed without any doubt.
However, when it comes to the definition of high-speed internet, many internet users might not be able to give a proper answer. Some may say high-speed internet means having at least a 100Mbps connection. While others may define high-speed internet as a connection that helps them browse websites at a rapid pace without any delays. But let’s find out the FCC definition of high-speed internet.
What is High-Speed Internet Definition?
According to the FCC definition, high-speed internet is an internet connection with a download speed of 25Mbps and an upload speed of 3Mbps-5Mbps. It does not matter whether the internet connection is a DSL, fiber, cable, or satellite.
If you are experiencing buffering while streaming, loading while surfing, and lagging while gaming, you need to check your internet speed.
What is a Good Download Speed and Upload Speed?
So there is a difference of opinion among experts on what is a good download speed and upload speed. But don’t worry, we will try to figure out the way in between to help you know the best possible answer.
What is a Good Download Speed?
What is a good download speed and how much do you need is a confusing question for the majority of internet users. However, the answer is quite simple. It requires only 10Mbps speed per person to do online activities that are limited to only online browsing, socializing, and watching funny videos on YouTube. Normal internet users with a number of devices connected to the same network will definitely require high-speed internet above 10Mbps.
When it comes to hardcore activities online such as streaming Netflix in 4K, playing video games like Fortnite, and downloading heavy files or backing up important data, you need something not less than 25Mbps-100Mbps. Assuming that there are 3 to 4 members and several smart home devices connected to the same network.
What is a Good WiFi Speed Mbps?
| Minimum Internet Download Speed | Online Activities |
| 0-5 Mbps | Browsing websites streaming music, sending and checking emails |
| 5-25 Mbps | One-Player Online Gaming , Video CallSD Streaming |
| 25-100 Mbps | HD Streaming on Several Devices, Online Gaming, Downloading Huge Files |
| 100-500 Mbps | Multiple Ultra HD Streaming, Online Gaming, MultiplayerWhooping Speed Downloads |
| 500+Mbps | Streaming, Downloading, and Gaming on Several Devices without any Issue |
What is a Good Download Speed for Working from Home?
So you have decided to work from home and enjoy the freedom. Although most companies are still reluctant to offer a hybrid model, however, those who have luck on their side can work from home as well as the office.
Many of the employees often ask about what is a good download speed for working from home. The simple answer is you need to see what activities need to be performed. For instance, if you are working as a copywriter who needs to do some research, send emails, attend video calls, and have Skype conversations with colleagues, need not be more than 10Mbps.
However, if your work is dependent on high bandwidth activities online such as uploading and downloading files, make sure to get at least 50-100Mbps download speed to work from home. And the upload speed for working from home should be at least 10Mbps if you want to send files and upload content without any delays.
The reason is that not only you are busy with your office-related activities online, but also other members of your home are also busy. Some of them might be streaming 4K Netflix seasons and others might be playing PubG or Fortnite.
What is a Good Download Speed for Gaming?
What is a good download speed for gaming? You will be surprised to know the fact that most of the high-end games do not require much amount of bandwidth. You only need 5Mbps at minimum to start online gaming. But there are some other factors that need to be kept in mind.
As normally seen, households whether big or small use the same network to play games, stream, and download heavy files. Moreover, smart home devices and some other gadgets that need an internet connection are connected whether actively used or in an idle state. With all these factors in mind, we would recommend you go for at least a 25Mbps connection for better speed.
What is Good Download Speed for Streaming?
If you are one of those addicts who can’t sleep without watching Netflix originals or are addicted to Amazon Prime series, then having high-speed internet is a must. You must be curious to know what is a good download speed for streaming. It’s anywhere between 3Mbps-25Mbps to watch your favorite shows on your favorite streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Fubo, or Peacock.
For low-quality video resolutions, a download speed ranging from 3Mbps to 20Mbps is enough. However, for HD-resolution videos, a minimum of 25Mbps is recommended, especially if you are fond of watching on 4K resolution. And if all other members in your home want to binge-watch in 4K resolution, opt for higher download speeds ranging from 50Mbps to 100Mbps.
| Video Resolution | Minimum Download Speed |
| Standard Definition (SD) 480p | 3+Mbps |
| High Definition (HD) 720-1080p | 5Mbps to 15Mbps |
| 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) 2160p | 16-25Mbps |
What is a Good Upload Speed?
What is a good upload speed for an average internet user is also a common question. The average upload speed required by an average internet user is 5Mbps As you might know that upload speed is only used in a handful of online activities. Some of the activities like uploading files in large batches, online gaming, and streaming in high definition require a faster upload speed.
What is a Good Upload Speed for Gaming?
If you love playing online games on consoles, the recommended upload speed by the majority of manufacturers is 3Mbps. Here’s an overview of the upload speed for gaming required by different gaming consoles.
| Gaming Console | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Ping Rate |
| PS4/Ps5 | 3Mbps | 1Mbps | Less than 150ms |
| Xbox | 3Mbps | 0.5Mbps | Less than 150ms |
| Nintendo Switch | 3Mbps | 1Mbps | Less than 150ms |
| PC/MAC | 3-6Mbps | 0.75-1Mbps | 100-150ms |
What is a Good Upload Speed for Streaming?
Streaming has been quite prevalent nowadays due to cord-cutting. If you are thinking of cutting the cord, it is good to know what is a good upload speed for streaming. Surprisingly, you only need 2Mbps to 15Mbps upload speed for streaming in SD and HD. However, if you wish to stream in greater resolution i.e. 4K, you need to have an upload speed of up to 30Mbps.
What is a Good Upload Speed for Working from Home?
Working from home is a blessing if you have a high-speed internet connection. What is a good upload speed for working from home is a challenging question as it depends nearly on what type of work you do. For instance, if your work involves sending emails, calling on Skype, and managing a website, an upload speed of 3Mbps to 5Mbps is enough. However, if your work requires uploading files, video creation and uploading, and backing up huge data, then you need at least 10Mbps speed.
Up till now, we have covered everything you need to know about good upload and download speed. As the internet is being used widely in homes and offices, it is important to know what are the benefits of high-speed internet for business and home.
The purpose is to help you find reasons not to compromise on speed just to save a few bucks. Let’s get started.
Benefits of High-Speed Internet for Business
Living in a digital era is a blessing for all of us. Without investing in our life savings, we can start our business right from our home. Just having an idea and implementing it the right way is all you need to know. However, the most important thing is a high-speed internet connection that is stable and uninterrupted.
Imagine for a while what happens if you are in a meeting with your client on a Zoom video call giving a presentation and suddenly the internet stops. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing for you? Moreover, if you are running a business with employees, the effects will trickle down and hinder productivity as well as your company’s goals.
Before you think of saving some money and sacrificing your internet quality, make sure to consider these benefits of high-speed internet for business.
Increase the Productivity of Employees
Internet without speed is a waste of time in this fast-paced world. You cannot put anyone on hold especially clients just because your internet connection is not working or speed is not optimal. Moreover, the employees in your organization also need to get their work done in the given time so that they could enjoy their life outside of the office.
A slow internet connection means that your employees are going to stare at their screens for long hours without any effective output. Moreover, it is also frustrating for employees who are never late on delivering the projects before the deadline.
Loading SaaS applications, chatting with clients, sending emails, uploading important updates on website, and other tasks require a high-speed internet connection. A fast internet connection will not only boost the productivity of employees but also retain clients by delivering timely projects.
High-Speed Internet Saves Cost
High-speed internet is not only helpful in boosting the productivity of employees and delivering projects without delays. There are some other costs associated that can be saved by opting for a high-speed internet connection.
For instance, if you are running a business with 20-30 employees, the cost is not only limited to internet bills. A delayed project means that your employees will be sitting for longer hours resulting in more electricity consumption and office equipment. Moreover, they will be demanding more benefits and overtime pay to get them compensated. All of these factors can affect your business negatively as the expenses are increasing and revenue is decreasing.
One of the reasons why experts recommend businesses to go for fiber internet is due to consistency, reliability, and high speed. Although fiber internet is available in limited areas, if you find one in your area, make sure to subscribe to it without further delays. Cable and DSL internet are not appropriate for businesses of medium and large sizes.
Access Cloud Applications within No Time
The modern era demands modern solutions. The need to insert storage devices such as CDs, DVDs, or USBs to access software is no longer applicable most of the time. Organizations and businesses are heavily relying on cloud storage and SaaS products to run business operations. Just take the example of WordPress, a popular CMS that allows you to make websites within a few minutes without coding or loads of work.
However, all of these applications and software need to have a high-speed internet connection to run properly. And that means both upload and download speeds must be high enough to handle different applications. Otherwise, slow load times and delayed responses would not only reduce productivity but can also result in loss of the company.
When it comes to a high-speed internet connection for business, most entrepreneurs are reluctant to pay in order to save. Especially when it comes to remote working or working as a freelancer. If you are one of those people who want to save some bucks, must look at the bigger picture and see how much time could be saved, resulting in greater revenue.
Support Multiple Devices
The majority of work in the office is dependent on high-speed internet. From sending emails to video conferencing, and managing CMS to accessing SaaS software, everyone is connected and engaged in some form of activity.
All of these activities consume a heavy amount of bandwidth, especially when it comes to backing up data, video conferencing, or managing CMS systems. Apart from only PCs and laptops connected, employees also connect their personal mobile devices to the same network. This could lead to even more data consumption.
To give everyone enough bandwidth and speed, it is vital to subscribe to high-speed internet. It would also help each individual to deliver the work as soon as possible and enjoy a stress-free environment.
Improves Collaboration
Businesses especially those that rely on shipment and delivery have to be in constant communication with clients, vendors, and partners. Nowadays, most businesses rely heavily on constant communication especially online. It can be in any form like sending emails, voice calls on WhatsApp, sending text and voice notes, and Skype video calls.
On the other hand, employees within the office also need to send and receive files, check emails, and access SaaS software to update invoices and collaborate with clients. All of these tasks online require a high-speed internet connection. A little delay in communication can lead to the loss of thousands if not millions of dollars. So without a doubt, high-speed internet benefits large and small businesses without a doubt.
Advantages of Fast Internet at Home
In modern times and the digital era, internet is not just limited to offices and businesses only. The Internet has widespread across the globe from big enterprises to small homes, condos, and apartments. The fact is that today’s generation is utilizing the power of the internet to educate, learn, and enhance their knowledge. Moreover, it is not only popular among students, but also adults to get a daily dose of entertainment in the form of Netflix seasons, YouTube, social websites, and gaming.
Our lives are surrounded by the internet, whether we are in the office, at home, in the cafe, or commuting to our friend’s home. Just think of the day when there was an outage in your area, how hard it was to manage daily chores. A complete internet blackout means all of your pending tasks are going to postpone until the internet is resolved.
As we have seen in the previous section, how high-speed internet benefits businesses, the same goes for homes as well. You cannot deny the advantages of high-speed Internet at home and in business. If you are not aware of it, let’s take a straight dive into it.
Work Remotely without Exceeding Deadlines
After COVID-19, remote working has become a new norm among companies and employees. The majority of big companies are offering leverage to employees to work in a hybrid model i.e. partially work from home (remotely) and partially from the office.
Apart from remote working, freelance workers are taking the lead by offering quality services from any part of the world. Whether it be a freelancer or a remote worker, the need for high-speed Internet connection is a must. The reasons are quite obvious as most of the tasks require high-speed internet such as video conferencing, managing the CMS system, uploading videos, and taking big file backups.
Entertainment and Fun that Never Ends
One of the benefits of high-speed internet at home is that you can have a lot of entertainment and fun opportunities waiting for you online. Whether it be streaming, gaming, or watching funny videos, everything is just a tap away. And when you are having high-speed internet, you will not face any kind of disruptions like buffering while streaming, lagging while gaming, and stuttering while video conferencing.
Be it binge-watching on weekends or playing tournaments with friends, everything is possible with the help of high-speed internet. But the opposite will be truly nightmarish if you have a slow internet connection. You might face buffering problems in the middle of binge-watching when things are just about to spark up. Or you can expect the same with a slow-speed internet connection while having a video conference with a client and demonstrating your project. Just consider the worst possible scenario you could imagine in your mind.
Enhance Productivity
We all know how many of our daily chores are dependent on high-speed internet. A seamless internet connection is not just important for finishing the tasks, but also to save time and be more productive and efficient.
For instance, if you are managing a website on WordPress and uploading a large library of pictures and videos to show up on your new post. Suddenly the connection drops and all your efforts go in vain as you might need to begin it from scratch.
Similarly, freelancers and remote workers need to be in contact with clients and peers. The disruption in internet speed and connectivity could result in time wastage for both clients/peers as well as yourself.
The more high-speed internet connection you have the greater the productivity is and lesser time is consumed. Make sure to subscribe to a high-speed internet connection like Spectrum to avoid stress and burnout while working.
Spend Less Time Online and More Time with Family
One of the benefits of high-speed internet at home or in the office is that you can spend more time with your family. A slow and unstable internet connection might cause delays in work. For instance, if publishing a blog post and uploading content requires only an hour for high-speed internet – it might take two to three hours to do the same amount of work with a slow and poor internet connection.
Whether you are working remotely at home or full-time in the office, you can expect more productivity in less time. That means no more late sittings and missing family time every day. High-speed internet is thus a blessing for those who want to spend more time with family.
Connecting Smart Devices Seamlessly
Smart home devices are becoming an integral part of every household. Thanks to the advancement in technology and low-cost devices everyone has access to it. So there is a long list of smart home devices at home you might own. Some of them include smartphones, smart television, smart doorbell, smart light, smart security camera, and smart thermostats. All of these devices are useless without an internet connection.
As all smart home devices are highly dependent on a fast internet connection, you can’t imagine having a poor and unstable internet connection at home. From controlling functions of the home to managing devices, every little smart gadget needs some bandwidth. And if you have subscribed to a slow speed, unstable, and unreliable internet connection, be prepared for the worse. None of your devices will function properly and you might end up uninstalling those devices or switch to another service provider without giving a second thought.
Send Money Online without Delays
One of the benefits of the internet that our forefathers could not enjoy is sending money with a few taps. You don’t need to go to the bank and wait in a queue to submit your cheque, transfer money, or receive payment. Everything is possible online with a few clicks and taps.
As the nature of financial transactions is quite complex and sensitive, you cannot afford any interruptions or delays. Any kind of error could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Having a fast, stable, and uninterrupted internet connection means you can manage finances and transactions within no time. Without worrying about delays and errors, making financial transactions is as easy as tapping the screen. So before you risk your hard-earned money while doing online transactions, make sure to invest in a high-speed internet connection.
Seamless Online Shopping
If you are one of those who hate going out shopping and doing hours of sprees just to buy your favorite jeans or shirt, you just don’t need to bang your head. Simply turn on your laptop or open your favorite shopping app, add items to your cart, enter credit card details, and sit back and wait for the order to be delivered right at your doorstep.
The scenario is only for those who have a high-speed internet connection at home. But if you are still using a poor and unstable internet connection, it is better to go to the shopping mall instead of online. The reason is, you will be facing delayed response and increased loading time when searching for your desired products. Moreover, when it comes to completing the transaction, you might have to enter the details several times due to errors and slow response. To avoid this situation, you need to carefully opt for the best internet service provider in your area with high-speed, uninterrupted connections.
Online Learning Becomes a Lot Easier
Online world is full of opportunities for everyone whether it be an experienced professional, a fresh grad, or a toddler. If you are looking forward to enhancing your skills or acquiring some from scratch, you don’t need to pay hefty fees. Just log into YouTube and search for your favorite course.
You will find a huge collection of online courses without paying a dime. And we bet you, the courses are premium and you will not find at any institute demanding high fees.
Similarly, when it comes to kids and toddlers, they like to learn everything digitally. Whether it be a new poem, a maths problem, or English vocabulary, online learning offers more convenience and less hassle.
If you are a grownup and need to enhance your skills to embark on a successful journey, you can also find online certifications from platforms like SkillShare and Coursera.
However, the only thing that you need to take care of is a high-speed internet connection. It can turn out to be frustrating for kids as well as adults to watch videos with delays and buffering. The only way to spend more time in learning and less time waiting is to go for fast internet connection for home.
Attending Live Classes without Stuttering or Delays
Internet has revolutionized the way people learn, attend classes, and pursue a successful career. Sometimes it is not possible to find free courses online on YouTube. You need to enroll in a class that is being held in another country. And for any reason, if you could not move to that country, still it is possible to attend classes.
A high-speed internet connection allows you to attend classes on Zoom without any interruptions. People with slow internet connection often complain about live online classes being too boring and full of interruptions. But the fact is, it only depends on what type of internet connection you go for and how much speed you are getting. The higher the speed, the more seamless the experience is and the more you can focus on your class instead of fixing the speed problem.
How to Make Internet Connection Stable and Faster?
A stable and faster internet connection is a blessing for everyone, particularly if you are hooked to your screen almost around the clock. But sometimes the internet is not just working as normal as it used to be. You might face a sudden slowing down of your internet connection and face buffering issues, slow downloading and browsing, and delays while playing games.
It’s not always the service provider to blame for a slow internet connection. Sometimes the problem is at your end, which can be fixed within no time.
If you are facing a slow internet connection, here’s how to fix internet speed without calling customer support instantly.
Test Your Internet Speed
Before everything else, it is important to know how to check your internet speed at home. By checking the internet speed, you will come to know the download and upload speed you are getting. If it is close or equal to what’s been promised by the service provider, the problem is surely at your end. However, if the speed is less than what you have been promised, then you need to call customer support. But before calling, make sure you have gone through an internet speed test on different devices.
You can find different internet speed test check websites to check your speed. However, the best one is speedtest.net. You can try any other options that you would get after searching on Google.
Turn Your Equipment Off for a While
The easy fix to resolve all speed-related problems is to turn off your equipment (modem and router) for a while. The first step is to restart your modem by cutting the power or simply switching it off. Once the power source has been cut, wait for 30 seconds to 1 minute until you plug it back in. This will help your modem to clear all the glitches and get the settings back to normal.
Now if you are using a wireless router, you need to do the same process with it as well. Most of the wireless routers need to restart just like a modem to refresh the settings and function as normal. A short disconnection from the power supply would help you to get the speed back to normal.
Moreover, it is also important to turn off WiFi on all of your devices including tablets, smartphones, PCs, and laptops. Wait for a while and turn them back on. Once they are connected to the network, browse websites, stream, and do whatever you can to check whether the speed is normal or not.
Relocate Your Wireless Router
Internet connection at home is normally distributed through wireless routers or simply termed as WiFi routers. But most people don’t place it in the right place, resulting in poor or weak signals, which can slow down the internet speed. For instance, if the WiFi signals are blocked by large physical objects, furniture, cupboard, appliances, or any other thing, your internet speed will not show up. Moreover, if it is placed near wave-emitting equipment such as a microwave, radio, or baby monitor, it might hinder the transmission of WiFi signals.
To resolve this issue, you need to relocate your wireless router. The best place is in the living room where almost every room is attached to it and can catch signals. Don’t place it in any closet or bookshelf. Moreover, the antennas should be pointed outwards so that signals can reach every nook and corner. We will later talk about what to do if you have a big house and the signals are not reaching properly to every corner.
Switch WiFi Frequency Band
Nowadays, you will find wireless routers offering two frequency bands, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The wireless speed and signal strength of your wireless router also depend on what band you use. No matter, what frequency band you are currently using, whenever you face speed issues, make sure to switch to another band.
When it comes to the 2.4 GHz frequency band, it is the most commonly used, not only for WiFi but also in other wireless communications, which can overflow the band. Compared to the 5 GHz band, the 2.4 GHz band is better at passing through objects and walls. While the 5 GHz band has a shorter range, but better speed.
Change Your Router Antennas Direction
If you have purchased a new wireless router, there might be no external antennas, which means they are mounted inside the device. If that s the case, just move on to the next step. However, if your router has external antennas, you need to adjust them. Normally, the routers deploy signals in all directions perpendicular to the antenna. If you need to send signals to the upper portion, you need to set the antennas in the horizontal directions. However, if the signals need to be spread out on the same floor, the antennas need to be set vertically.
Use Devices to Increase Internet Speed and Extend Signals
Sometimes placing the router in the middle of the home will not offer you full speed and you may suffer connectivity, signal, and speed issues. As some of you are living in a big house and WiFi signals are weak or poor in some areas of the house. There is no need to worry as you can use different devices to increase internet speed and extend signals. WiFi booster is one of them and can offer extended signals to dead zones and areas where signals are weak. You can easily purchase WiFi extenders from an online store for a price between $20-$50.
Update Router’s Firmware
When it comes to internet equipment, both WiFi routers and modems come with firmware. To resolve bugs and protect your network from vulnerable attacks, the manufacturers roll out firmware updates to address these issues. The best way to update firmware is by logging into the admin panel as given in the instructions for modem/wifi packaging.
However, if you have a modem-router combo given by your service provider, you don’t need to update the firmware, as the ISP updates it from the backend.
Use Ethernet Cable
If you are using a wifi network to connect and browse the internet and facing slow speed, make sure to try an ethernet cable. There are several chances that you will see a big difference in speed. Especially if you are a gamer, there is no better way to get full-throttle internet without facing any lags or disruptions.
Disconnect Devices Not in Use
In this digital era, every device is capable to connect to the internet. You will find several devices here and there in your home that are connected to the same WiFi network. Even if they are in an idle state, the amount of bandwidth consumed will be quite high when combined.
The only way to enjoy full-speed internet is to disconnect all idle devices. For instance, a tablet given to your toddler for watching cartoons is now lying just by the side of your sleeping kid. It is not in use but is still connected to the internet. The background applications consume a huge amount of bandwidth, which results in facing a slow speed internet.
Pause or Stop High Bandwidth Online Activities
When it comes to the internet, some of the activities require a high amount of bandwidth, which means they suck up a major chunk of speed. For instance, watching movies in 8K resolution, downloading heavy files, or torrenting consume a lot of bandwidth, leaving no speed for other activities.
If you are running such applications, streaming, or downloading, make sure to stop it for a while. In case, the task is of high importance, you can resume it late at night when everyone is sleeping. If you want to restrict the number of devices to connect to the same network, you can go for Spectrum Advanced WiFi, only if you are a Spectrum internet customer. However, some modern routers also allow you to restrict devices and allocate bandwidth to different devices.
Clean Up All the Viruses
When your internet is not performing as it is supposed to, you may need to check your system for viruses and malware. As all of the activities are performed online, the possibility of being attacked by viruses or malware is quite obvious.
If you are facing an internet speed issue, make sure to clean up the viruses immediately. Once your system is cleaned up, restart your system as well as your modem/router. This will make a huge impact on the performance of internet speed.
Check Who’s Using WiFi without Your Permission
Most internet users are not aware that they need to protect the network with a strong password. If the WiFi network is left open to the public without any security key, the possibilities are that passerby or someone from your neighbor may take advantage of free internet access.
One of the reasons to protect your network is to prevent uninvited guests from connecting to your network without your permission. Make sure to set up a password that contains lower and uppercase letters followed by special characters and numbers. It is also recommended to protect the WiFi network with a strong password so that hackers can’t access your private and sensitive data.
Go for a New Router
Old routers are not able to perform as good as the new ones. The reason is that technology has changed over the years that includes speed and other technicalities when it comes to the internet.
The latest routers are equipped with some of the ad-ons like MU-MIMO and beamforming, which boosts the signal strength and permits a large number of devices simultaneously without sacrificing the quality. Some of the best routers you can choose from include TP-Link, Asus, Netgear, and Linksys. You can choose any model depending on your internet usage. For instance, if you are an extreme gamer, you can find routers tailored to offer a seamless gaming experience. However, keep in mind that these routers are way more expensive than ordinary ones. While if you are an avid internet user, but don’t play games, you can choose any router ranging from $50-$150.
Check Your Data Cap
Only a handful of internet service providers like Spectrum offer unlimited data caps. While others restrict you to a few gigabytes or in some cases terabytes. Once you reach the limit, you will experience speed throttling. The speed throttling will continue unless the next billing cycle or you buy an extra packet of data from the service provider.
As most of our tasks are dependent on online, it is better to subscribe to an unlimited data cap. For instance, Spectrum offers you an unlimited data cap on all of its plans including Spectrum Internet, Spectrum Internet Ultra, and Spectrum Internet Gig.
Upgrade Your Internet Plan
People tend to choose an internet plan that is the least expensive and they may end up complaining about the speed. However, the fact is that most of the users do not know how much speed they need to cater requirements of everyone at home. If there are extreme gamers and avid streamers, a 25Mbps plan will just give up and not perform as good as a 100Mbps or 300Mbps connection.
Before you buy or upgrade an internet plan, it is important to do some research and find out how many people are going to use it. The bigger the family size, the bigger the plan you need. However, make sure that you don’t end up paying more for something that is not needed.
Switch to Another Provider
The only solution left after trying out all of the aforementioned steps is to switch to another service provider. If you are stuck in a contractual obligation and worrying about hefty termination fees, then a Spectrum Buyout Contract of up to $500 is the right solution. Without complaining and whining about speed issues and unstable internet, you can switch to Spectrum for consistency, stability, and high-speed internet. However, if Spectrum is not available in your area, try to find out what options are available. Once you have a list of service providers in your area, try to find out whether there is any option for a contract buyout or not.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Home Internet Service Provider and Best Internet Plan
Before shopping for a new gadget, smartphone, or any other device, you do some research to get the viewpoint of what’s best for you. You find every minute detail about it from pricing to features and user reviews to the best place to buy from.
The same goes for when choosing an internet service provider and the best internet plan for your home. Not only you but also other family members are also highly dependent on the internet plan you choose and the service provider you go for.
The decision has to be perfect so that you can enjoy peace of mind in the coming days. Without further ado, let’s talk about factors to consider when choosing an internet service provider and the best internet plan.
Types of Internet Connections
Before choosing an internet service provider and the best internet plan for your home, it is important to know the types of internet connections you could get.
Dial-Up Internet
Dial-up internet has gone obsolete and is no longer used in the present era. However, to give you an overview, dial-up internet was quite popular in 90s and 2000s. The internet speed was too low as much as 56kbps. Imagine how much time it would take to download even a few megabytes of files.
Cable Internet
Cable internet is one of the popular internet connections majorly prevalent in the United States. The internet runs through coaxial cables, which is the same cord used in cable TV. When it comes to cable internet speed and price, it varies from one location to another. The speed ranges from 3Mbps to 500Mbps and more. Whereas price varies from one service provider to another starting from $20-$119.
Cable internet is easy to install and quite affordable for homes. If you are using cable TV service, you can bundle it with internet and home phone by calling the respective service provider.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
Digital Subscriber Line also known as DSL is delivered through phone line. This type of internet connection is slower than cable internet, but you can enjoy your favorite online activities like streaming on Netlfix, playing games, and video calling.
The speed of DSL usually depends on the distance from your service provider. The closer, the better the speed. DSL is affordable and economical compared to cable internet. Moreover, it is widely available in most parts of the country unlike fiber or cable internet.
Satellite Internet
Satellite internet is free from any cable or phone lines. The internet is directly beamed to a dish attached to your house. However, the biggest drawback is that its speed is not as much as that of DSL, fiber, or cable internet. Satellite internet download speed is 15Mbps and 3Mbps upload speed. Also, the data cap is limited to a few gigabytes, which is not sufficient for any streamer, gamer, or downloader.
Satellite internet is largely available in rural areas where there is no infrastructure and cable lines. With satellite internet, you can access it from any part of the world
Fiber Optic
One of the most advanced, expensive, and speedy internet available right now is fiber optics, which uses light through thin strands of glass. However, you cannot get fiber optics as common as other internet connections. Fiber optic is in fact available in select areas and offered by a limited set of service providers.
If you have a large household and everyone is just an online freak, don’t settle for an internet connection less than fiber optics, if it is available in your area.
How to Choose the Best Internet Service Provider for Home?
Internet is as important as oxygen and without having the right plan, you will be complaining from time to time due to speed issues, unreliability, and poor customer service. When searching for a home internet service provider, it is important to consider several factors in mind that would help you to stay with your provider for years. Let’s find out how to choose the best internet service provider for your home.
Availability in Your Area
When choosing the best internet service provider and internet plan for your home, it is important to know what options are available in your area. Not all of the service providers will be available in your area. So how to find the availability of service providers in your area?
Simply type in your Zip Code and get the list of all service providers in your area. Now you have a list of all the service providers at your disposal.
Compare Internet Speed
After getting a list of service providers in your area, now it is time to evaluate the internet plans offered by each one of them. Moreover, it is also important to look for what type of connection is being offered such as DSL, fiber, cable, or satellite.
When comparing the speed and pricing of different internet providers, it is important to know your requirements. As we have discussed earlier, you need to evaluate how much speed is required and how much you can afford.
The best way to evaluate your requirements is to count internet users at home and what type of activities will be performed. If everyone is a streamer and gamer, the internet speed plan should be much higher than that of usual activities such as browsing, socializing, and checking emails.
You can simply refer to the table under the head “What is a Good WiFi Speed Mbps?”.
Internet Plans Pricing
Once you have decided what speed is best for you, now comes the real part i.e. pricing. Most of the service providers offer promotional prices for the first 12 months or in some cases 24 months. After that, you will see a whooping price hike, which may disappoint you if you never considered it when opting for the plan. In addition, you also need to consider installation fees, equipment charges, and other hidden fees to calculate the cost.
Contractual Obligations
You have a long list of service providers in your area. Choosing the best one is difficult but not impossible. One of the factors to consider when choosing a home internet plan is to look for contractual obligations.
If you have never heard of it, don’t worry, we are here to inform you. Some internet providers sign a contract with the customers. This contract signing means that they cannot opt out of the service before the set time. Normally it spans from one to two years, depending on the service provider. In case, you need to cancel the plan, the service provider will slap you with hefty cancellation fees. The cancellation fee is the amount you pay every month for the service. Upon cancellation, the amount will be multiplied by the remaining period of the contract.
If you are a frequent mover, it is best to avoid internet plans with contracts and look for a provider offering no-contract internet plans such as Spectrum.
Data Caps
The next big important factor when choosing the service provider and best internet plan for a home is data cap. Internet usage is increasing with each passing day. Be it kids, teens, grownups, or old aged people, everyone is glued to online activities.
Some of the activities like gaming, streaming, and downloading consume a huge amount of bandwidth as well as data. If you are looking for stress-free home internet plans, make sure to look for providers offering unlimited data caps. This will help you to become stress-free when consuming a lot of content. Also, it will help you save from speed throttling that most service providers do when the data limit is reached.
Equipment and Other Charges
Internet plans are too much pricey and can put a hole in your pocket. But don’t worry, it won’t if you consider equipment and other charges beforehand. For instance, some internet providers offer a modem for a rental fee of $10-$20 per month. While others offer you a free modem on subscribing to any of the plans. To avoid adding up your bill, make sure to look for equipment charges. And if no internet service is offering a free modem, you can buy your own which would cost you anywhere between $30-$50.
Also, consider other charges that are not displayed on the website, but will be a surprise when you see your bill. Make sure to contact customer service for more info and details about such charges.
Security Features
If you are online most of the time, you need to be extra careful about your security and privacy. And before choosing a service provider, make sure to check what security features are being offered. For instance, if you look at Spectrum internet plans, you will come to know that they offer a free security suite with each plan. This helps you to save yourself from any vulnerable attacks and hacking.
In case, if you work on highly private and sensitive information online, don’t compromise on security features at all. Even if you have to pay some extra money, it is worth more than losing your privacy and personal information.
Internet Deals, Bundles, and Packages
When looking for the best internet service providers in your area, it is also good to know about their offerings that would help you save money. Look for internet deals, bundles, and packages that are designed to cater the needs of every household.
For instance, Spectrum Internet customers can enjoy free Spectrum Advanced WiFi and Spectrum Mobile Line for 12 months with Spectrum One. With a saving of as much as $400, you can enjoy three services for the price of one. No matter, what Spectrum internet plan you choose, you only need to pay the price of the internet.
If Spectrum Internet is not available in your area, you can simply check deals and packages offered by service providers. Most cable internet companies offer internet along with cable TV and home phone. For medium and large families, these internet bundles and deals can help save a lot of money.
Customer Support
One of the complaints heard from internet customers is poor customer support offered by service providers. From waiting long hours in a queue (phone) to not resolving the issue timely, internet service providers lack good customer support.
However, upon researching, you will find that many of them are offering average customer support if not poor. You can read the reviews on their social media pages to get an idea of how well they provide customer service.
Reliability of the Services
Internet service without reliability is a waste of money. Imagine if you are facing disconnectivity from time to time and speed issues every now and then, how can you bear such services?
No doubt, sometimes ISPs have to go through planned maintenance, which is acceptable, and facing an internet outage is obvious. But if the internet is not performing 360 days of the year, you should consider subscribing to another provider, even if you have to pay some extra money.
Summing Up
In this post, we have covered everything from what is download speed to upload speed, benefits of high-speed internet, factors to consider when choosing best high-speed internet plans for home and office, and much more. The main objective of the post was to inform and educate you on how high-speed internet for home and office can save much of your time and money. Moreover, in this fast-paced technological era, the internet is needed in every area. So before you compromise on speed just to save a few bucks, make sure to consider the decision again.
