Ever wondered if you are getting what you need out of your broadband plan? Often, light users end up paying more for a higher speed, while a household with many smart devices connected to the internet subscribes to a broadband plan of lower speeds, which hinders their connectivity.

With various Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the city claiming to offer the ‘best broadband in Bangalore’, here are a few factors that you need to consider while selecting new broadband plans suited for you.

1. What kind of a user are you?

   1. Light users use the internet for smaller daily tasks, like checking and sending emails, which requires a comfortable speed of 25 Mbps.
   2. If you surf through social media regularly and watch at least one video on Netflix or other streaming sites, then you are a medium user who requires 40 Mbps for a good viewing experience.
   3. Heavy users are constantly downloading films & music, gaming online, or uploading videos on the internet. They require a fast broadband plan, as the data cap or data limit is extremely high and will not hinder with their experience.
   4. For better bandwidth, consider the number of people who will be using the broadband plan, and the number of smart devices connected to the Wi-Fi. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be sent or received in a second. Lower-end bandwidth will be affected if many users are connected at the same time as each device is trying to get the best bandwidth from the broadband.

   Consider these usage requirements before purchasing a broadband plan.

2. Upload vs. download speed:

   Most ISPs provide a broadband connection where you can download data faster than you can upload it. The speed you see advertised for various plans refers only to the download speed. While the average user downloads and consumes most of his content, more and more users are now uploading videos, photos and other large files to sites such as YouTube or video chatting on Skype. Check the upload speed that your plan offers before committing to one.

3. Types of Broadband:

   The standard broadband plan is the Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology, which uses the home telephone line to grant you internet access. Though this is cheaper, the average speeds are 8-10 Mbps, and will reduce furthermore if your live far away from a telephone exchange. Customers are now switching to a super-fast and more efficient broadband type - fibre-optic broadband. With brands like ACT Fibernet offering a minimum speed of 150 Mbps, fiber broadband is the best option for a medium to heavy user, or a household with multiple devices connected to the internet.

4. Your Location:

   In order to get the best wifi plan for your home, you’ll need to search as per your location, since all ISPs do not provide the same services across Bangalore. Before paying for a new broadband plan, it’s important to re-check with the provider that the quote mentioned is accurate, because broadband speeds differ as per your location. It is important to note that a Fibre optic connection provides a stronger connection even in slightly remote areas, as compared to ADSL.

5. FUP speed requirement:

   FUP refers to Fair Usage Policy and is implemented by ISPs to put a limit on customers who exhibit heavy usage at higher speeds to prevent these users from getting the greater bandwidth and leaving the majority of users with a connection at a lower bandwidth.

   So, for example, if you subscribe to a 650 GB data plan of 150 Mbps speed, the FUP cap is set at 650 GB and once you cross this data limit, your Internet speed will be reduced to around 1 Mbps. This ensures that you can still browse the internet but not at the initial speed. It is important to check your broadband plan’s FUP speed before zeroing in on one.

6. Quality customer service:

   After sales customer service is an important factor to consider when deciding on an ISP. Do your research on customer satisfaction, turnaround time, and response time, to find out if your provider’s technical service is available when you might need them. After all, brand value and satisfaction play an important role in user experience.

7. Budget friendly- plan:

   Find a plan that fits your pocket. But don’t just consider the cheapest plan if it does not match your usage requirements. Compare prices before settling on one plan. It is also pertinent to check the tenure of the plan. You can look for short-term contracts if you don’t intend to stay in the same place for a long time. However, if you are, some providers offer great discounts on long-term plans. Be sure to check them out as well.

Once you form a decision on the broadband type and speed based on your usage, the next step would be to conduct a comprehensive comparison between the broadband plans different providers have to offer.

While some of the traditional providers in Bangalore offer ADSL broadband plans for cheaper rates with lower speed, the newer ones offer affordable plans with speeds up to 1000 Mbps and high data caps.

We, at ACT Fibernet, provide fiber-optic technology and promise an equal upload-download speed. Our plans are cost-effective, and crafted to suit the needs of various users like large or small businesses, hard-core gamers, or even film buffs who stream movies online. Find out broadband plans that best suit your needs, here.