You probably know the basics when it comes to selecting an internet package for your home: spend more money, get more speed. While this oversimplification may be broadly true, getting the most bang for your buck often means considering other factors. If you work from home, have kids who need to do online schoolwork, or just use the internet heavily, the right plan can make a big difference in your life.
Choosing enough speed to cover your needs (and a price that fits your budget) is crucial, but you should also consider these three other unexpected factors when selecting the right plan for your household.
1. Connection Type
The most common connection types found in the US are digital subscriber line (DSL), cable, fiberoptic, and satellite. Fiberoptic tends to be the least common option, while DSL and satellite are available in most areas. Since it doesn't require a ground-based connection, satellite internet can serve even relatively remote or rural locations.
Your options will depend on where you live, but many locations may have more than one provider. Generally, fiberoptic offers the highest speeds and lowest latency, while DSL and satellite connections are often the slowest. Satellite internet can typically offer speeds on par with DSL, but it may have more latency issues.
2. Uptime
Depending on your use cases and needs, reliability can range from a factor that's nice to have to something critically important. If you spend a lot of time working at home, you need a service you can rely on to provide the speeds you expect without constantly going down or dropping your connection. Dealing with an unstable connection under these circumstances can be embarrassing or even costly.
Regarding reliability, ground-based connections (fiber, DSL, and cable) will always reign supreme, but satellite internet has improved in recent years. If uptime and stability are significant concerns, make sure you carefully read reviews for providers in your area so you can select a dependable plan.
3. Upload Speed
The headline number for most internet plans is the download (or downstream) speed. This number tells you how quickly you can transfer data to your home, but that's only half of the equation. The second number (usually after a slash) is the upload or upstream speed. This value shows how quickly you can send data to servers or other computers.
Upstream speed is a critical factor for many applications, including video chat. You'll need a high upload speed if you spend a lot of time in meetings or frequently upload large files to remote servers. Make sure you choose a plan with a suitable upstream speed to ensure you aren't impeded in any way.
For more information about selecting a residential internet package, contact a local provider.
Share21 June 2022
If you live in a big city, you probably can't imagine your life without the Internet. In addition to making it easy to check the local news, the internet also makes it possible for people to keep in touch with friends and work from home. Unfortunately, if you move to a remote area, you might not have as many internet providers to choose from. This blog is all about finding internet providers when you live out in the boonies. Read here to learn about all different types of providers, including ones who offer satellite service. This information might help you to keep your normal way of life--no matter where you move.