By Mitch Rice
When it comes to home internet, most people think faster is always better, so they pay more for the biggest plan they can get. On the other end of the spectrum, some people try to save money by settling for the cheapest plan they can find. Neither approach works. You’re either going to pay too much for speeds you don’t need, or you’ll get stuck with internet that drops out and buffers all the time.
If you’re tired of paying too much, or you’re done with unreliable internet, here’s a breakdown of how to avoid common mistakes and get the right internet plan.
Don’t automatically buy the fastest plan
Internet plans are faster than ever these days, reaching Gigabit speeds, but sometimes the fastest plan offered far exceeds a person’s needs. Why pay for what you don’t need? Instead of signing up for the biggest plan you can find, start by assessing your needs. Many people don’t need more than 500 Mbps, and most families can function with speeds between 100 and 300 Mbps, depending on how they use the internet.
If you don’t need the biggest plan your ISP has to offer, get the plan that will support your needs. A reliable ISP will offer competitive, affordable rates for their plans. For example, a fast plan from Optimum Internet can cost as little as $40 per month, and you get 24/7 support with no annual contracts.
If you’re not working from home, streaming 4k on 2+ televisions, and gaming all at once, you don’t need a Gigabit connection. With that said, if you do have gamers and streamers in your household, and there are always multiple devices connected to your internet, it’s worth considering Gigabit speeds.
Don’t take “high-speed” at face value
High-speed doesn’t mean “fastest internet.” It’s a relative term that has no set definition. Even DSL providers describe their internet speeds as “high-speed,” and DSL is just one step above dial-up. Check this speed guide to determine what you actually need in your household. Then choose your internet plan based on your needs.
Consider upload speeds
Most people focus on download speeds, but upload speeds matter, too. If you ever upload videos, back up your files in a cloud file storage account, or use video calls, you need a good upload speed for a smooth experience. If your upload speed is slow, your Zoom calls can freeze and large file uploads can take forever. You also need a decent upload speed if you have a smart home system, like security cameras with cloud storage.
Before selecting an internet plan, check the upload speed. Most companies don’t advertise them, so you may need to read the fine print or check out the FAQ section on their web page to find the information.
Don’t look for the cheapest plan out there
It’s good to save money, but buying the cheapest internet plan isn’t necessarily going to help. Even if you find an internet provider offering the same speeds for less, there’s a chance it won’t be as reliable. For example, 100 Mbps will vary based on the type of connection. Satellite, traditional cable, and fiber optic connections will all provide variable reliability at the same speed.
Fiber optic will always be the most reliable, but you’ll need to factor in neighborhood use and weather conditions to know if satellite or traditional cable is better.
At the end of the day, if you buy a slow internet plan to save money, you’ll end up upgrading anyway, so don’t start with the barebones plan if you know you’ll need more speed.
Don’t ignore data caps
Some internet providers offer high speeds, but place a limit on how much data you can use at that speed each month. Once you hit the limit, they throttle your speed or charge you extra fees. It’s crucial to read the fine print and ask about this potential before buying a plan. If you stream, work from home, or game, you’re probably going to hit a data cap faster than you realize.
Check long-term pricing for all promotions
Internet service providers love to provide amazing discounts to get new customers, but those discounts are short-lived. Often, the price drastically increases once the promo period is over. Always check what the regular rates will be first.
The right plan means less stress
Choosing the wrong internet plan will only frustrate you and waste your money. But it doesn’t have to be that way. When you choose your plan based on your needs, you won’t have to worry about overpaying or getting stuck with a limited plan.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.