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Selecting the Best Internet Provider For Your New Home
Unless you’re planning on living off the grid, you’re going to need internet when you move in to your new home. But choosing the best internet provider isn’t always an easy process. There’s a lot to consider, and the decision is rarely so simple as just carrying over the provider that you used in your last home.
Fortunately, we’re here to help. Read on to learn about the steps you’ll want to follow to select the best internet provider for your needs, then check out the basics on the industry’s leading options.
How to Choose the Best Internet Provider
Similar to TV providers, internet providers are all offering a similar product with very different availability, amenities, and prices. And because no two providers are the same, it’s important that you do your research so that you don’t end up overspending on an under-performing web connection. Here’s where to start.
Find out what’s available in your area
Figure out exactly what you need
Compare prices
Comparing Internet Providers
How do the industry’s leading providers stack up against one another? Here’s a quick guide to the basics, though remember that availability and pricing may vary depending on where you live.
AT&T
Speed options: 5 – 1,000+ Mbsp
Pro: Very wide coverage areas and availability. Check availability for your area here.
Con: To get the best deal, you’ll need to bundle your internet with another AT&T service, such as DirecTV or AT&T phone.
Price: Plans start at $40 a month.
Wave Broadband
Speed options: 50 – 940 Mbsp
Pro: Contract free and high speeds.
Con: Data caps and limited coverage.
Price: Plans start at $19.95 a month.
Cox
Speed options: 15 – 1,000 Mbsp
Pro: No contract plans mean that you don’t have to worry about termination fees if you want to switch to a different provider.
Con: Slower than average download speeds.
Price: Plans start at $30 a month.
Google Fiber
Speed options: 1,000 Mbsp
Pro: Fast speed across the board, plus access to free extras like a Netflix subscription.
Con: Google Fiber is still relatively new and the rollout has been slow. Currently, you can only get the service in three states. Go here to see if it’s available at your address.
Price: $70 a month.
RCN
Speed options: 25 – 330 Mbsp for Cable plans, 1,000 Mbsp for Fiber
Pro: One of the highest customer satisfaction ratings.
Con: Limited service areas and limited plans within each service area.
Price: Plans start at $29.99 a month
CenturyLink
Speed options: 15 Mbsp – 1,000 Mbsp
Pro: No contract necessary, plus a Price for Life guarantee that locks you in at your rate even if prices go up.
Con: Known for having less than optimal customer service.
Price: Plans start at $49 a month.
Comcast Xfinity
Speed options: 15 Mbsp – 2,000 Mbsp
Pro: Wide availability, including availability for high-speed fiber connection in certain areas. Check coverage in your area here.
Con: A history of frequent outages in certain localities.
Price: Plans start at $34.99 a month.
Spectrum
Speed options: 100 – 940 Mbsp
Pro: No contracts or data caps.
Con: Download speeds aren’t always up to par.
Price: Plans start at $49.99 a month.
Frontier
Speed options: 6 – 1,000 Mbsp
Pro: Availability in rural areas, plus no data caps.
Con: You’ll need to commit to a two year contract if you want to take advantage of their high-speed fiber plan.
Price: Plans start at $24.99 a month.
Suddenlink
Speed options: 200 – 1,000 Mbsp
Pro: Locked-in prices on their mid- and high-range plans so you don’t have to worry about rising costs so long as you pay your bill on time and stay in good standing.
Con: Very limited availability, though they are growing. Check for coverage in your area here.
Price: Plans start at $44.99 a month.
With a bit of research, you should have no trouble finding the best internet provider for your new home. Make sure to consider the following points of comparison:
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- Availability
- Speed
- Contract or no contract
- Installation and equipment costs
- Data caps
- Reviews
Do your due diligence and you’ll be up and running in no time.