Which WiFi network is best in my area?

What do you think about while choosing a broadband service provider? Whether you're an individual or a business, choosing a broadband service entails a lot more than mere pricing. This goes without saying that the internet requirements of users worldwide have increased manifold in the last few years.

Mainly due to the pandemic, which led to the rise of working from home, the internet has become a basic need. The growth of internet TV, multiple online streaming platforms has transformed how the internet was used conventionally. It's no longer just about email. It's about sources of entertainment and personal and professional communication entailed with work from home scenarios.

Unlimited data does not always mean that you will have unlimited data in a month. There are explanations for each term that is used in WiFi network plans. To install the best WiFi network at your home or office, you need to find the best WiFi network in your area and weigh the pros and cons. Check out all of the service providers in your area and compare them based on the following:

• Speed
• Customer Service
• FUP Limit
• Installation Costs

1. Speed

   You should select the speed of your WiFi network depending on your usage habits. Knowing the upload and download speed of the broadband plan is of utmost importance.

   If the majority of the work includes emails and social media, a lower-speed plan can be sufficient. But if the data is used for file-sharing and heavy downloads, you should look for a high-speed WiFi plan. A minimum of 50-75 Mbps.

   When an internet connection is provided, it can either be done through a fiber connecting wire or co-axial, etc. Fiber is your best option. It gives you high-speed internet, which is not affected by weather conditions such as rain. Other options, such as coaxial wires, result in fluctuating internet speeds and often slow down when it rains. When people from the service provider come down to your home/office to set up the connection, double-check the connection wiring they are using. If you have purchased a fiber connection plan, a fiber wire should be used and not any other wire for optimal internet speed.

2. Customer Service

   Good customer service support is essential to ensure that your experience with the WiFi network provider will be smooth while setting up the connection and when you encounter any issues while using it later. Research the available WiFi networks in your area and which of them are reliable.

   If a WiFi network has affordable pricing, but its speed fluctuates often, it's not a good choice. Go through reviews online and from the people you know before making a decision. In addition to the speed and data provided, it's essential to consider the reliability and coverage area of the network. It is possible that local network providers might provide you with better speed and services when compared to big nationwide service providers.

3. FUP Limit

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   FUP stands for Fair Usage Policy and is also known as bandwidth cap. The broadband provider keeps a high data download limit on a WiFi plan following the Fair Usage Policy. Check if the company has a monthly cap on how much bandwidth can be used. When the customer has consumed the maximum amount of data, i.e., has used up the bandwidth cap, the internet speed gets reduced. Although the speed slows down, the data downloads allowed remain the same.

   As the name suggests, FUP makes it fair for all the customers. It prevents any wastage of data in unlimited data plans. And gives all the customers a uniformly divided WiFi network. You should select a plan with a high FUP limit depending on the amount of file sharing, streaming, and downloads. Without FUP, a customer can use up a higher share of the bandwidth and reduce the bandwidth for the other customers.

   For instance, let’s assume that the FUP limit is set at 1 GB. After you have used up 1 GB, you will still have access to the internet but with a lower speed of something around 128 Kbps. You’re more likely to use up all of the available data due to high-quality video streaming, video calling, rather than simple emails, and surfing the internet.

   Generally, 500 GB per month is a good data plan, to begin with, if you are a medium-level internet user that streams video content regularly and takes parts in video calls over the internet. You can’t compromise on your internet speed and data as the quality of your video conferences at work from home is dependent on it.

   If your work involves sharing large files and streaming 4K videos, you will need a bigger data plan of around 1TB. For an average user, a speed of up to 30-35 Mbps is sufficient when not many people will be using it. Analyze your data requirements thoroughly to avoid paying more for the internet, which you might not even end up using.

4. Installation costs

   The best WiFi network plan for you is the one that has a balanced combination of speed and price. Many service providers offer free installation in their WiFi network plans. Some companies might add the charges of buying a modem from them as hidden costs. Make sure to ask all of your queries before selecting your WiFi network provider.

CTA: Do you think you have learned it all and are ready to choose the best WiFi network plan for you? Check out all of the plans, whether it is for a home or an office, offered by ACT (Atria Convergence Technologies Ltd)