How to choose internet service provider

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Should I only go for broadband internet?

The US Federal Communications Commission defines broadband internet speeds as a download speed of 25 MBPS and an upload speed of 3 Mbps. However, the average broadband speed varies widely from country to country — it can range from less than 1 Mbps to over 50 Mbps. This will depend on the speed provided by the ISP in your area.

Other alternatives to broadband internet are dial-up connections (that use older analog technologies), DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connections, and satellite connections. While DSL and satellite connections are faster than dial-up connections, they are still slower than broadband. So broadband definitely scores over these options.

Companies that offer broadband speeds via cable connections or fibre optic connections are usually the best choice. If you’re looking for speeds up to 1 Gbps or even higher, fibre optic connections are your best bet.

How should I decide which ISP to go for?

With 326 + ISPs in India, this can become a fairly tricky question. Here are some ways you can figure out the ISP that’s right for you:

Underlying technology

The first thing you need to look for with ISPs is the technology that is being used. If you’re looking for high-speed internet, then ISPs that provide fibre-optic broadband connections should be your first preference.

Local service

Make it a point to figure out which ISP provides high-speed internet within your locality. It might just be that a big brand that operates nationally may not be as effective in your area. So talk to your neighbours, check out ISP reviews via Local Search on Google, and find out which ISP works best within your locality.

Look for cost optimization plus flexibility

While it’s important for your ISP to provide value-for-money, it’s also important to check if they have flexible options within the plan. For instance, ACT has a special Gaming pack that provides on-demand speed boosts and data boosts for the user. This can be a great way of getting the right speed when you need it the most.

Post-sales service

There will be times when the internet goes down — maybe there’s an issue with the router or the modem or the connection itself. You want a post-sales service that will resolve issues in real-time, making the customer experience their first priority. Once again, talk to people who live in your area and check out local reviews to see which ISP fits the bill.

The internet has become the lifeblood of our economy, and in fact, our lives. Given what a central role it plays in our lives, even a small disruption can become problematic. That’s why it’s important to understand which ISP meets your needs the best and choose accordingly.