Questions to ask when getting a home internet connection

Barely a day goes by without people accessing the internet at least once. Most of them use it for work, some spend time talking to loved ones in another continent, and almost everyone checks in on their social media handles.

Companies make the decision when it comes to internet providers and packages to buy for the workplace. However, you need to make sure you compare the best home internet plans before getting a connection for your home.

Ask yourself and your potential service provider the following questions when purchasing an internet connection for your home.

How much data will you need every day?

To answer this, think about what you will be doing on the internet each day. If you play games, watch a lot of movies, or even work remotely, you may need a plan that offers more than the average data needs.

Sometimes, the internet is used for educational purposes as well. And not necessarily with children. Even adults work on academic papers, theses, research, and other critical projects. Having limited data can hamper these tasks.

That being said, if you do not use the internet for anything other than browsing social media websites, eCommerce platforms, or news sites, you may not need a high-end plan. A basic albeit dependable one will do.

What type of connection should you have?

When browsing for the best home internet plans, one important step is to decide what kind of connection you should get. If you have four, five or more people at home, each with their own internet needs, you should consider getting a high-speed broadband connection. It will enable everyone at home to connect their own devices to the network simultaneously.

Remember, wired connections are faster and more reliable than wireless ones. On the other hand, enterprises primarily prefer wireless networks to serve their clients and employees on a large scale.

What are the data caps and additional charges?

Some service providers limit the amount of data usage per month. And if you exceed this limit, you may incur extra costs. Alternatively, they could throttle or limit your internet speed once you exceed the usage limit.

Therefore, it is wise to ask them beforehand and verify that there are no usage limits and are sufficient for your average monthly usage. Make sure also to ask them about any other hidden charges, so you don’t end up with a nasty surprise at the end of the month.

How is the internet provider’s customer service?

Even with the most reliable internet service, you may end up experiencing some technical problems at some point. In most cases, people with a little bit of technical experience can try and fix the issue themselves.

But that isn’t advisable. It is prudent to allow an experienced technician to handle the problem. So, it is important that your internet service provider offers reliable, courteous and round-the-clock customer service.

Many people change service providers for this exact reason. So, to be safe, you should find out what the response to customer queries is like and how quickly they can fix your problem. Look up the reviews on their website, ask friends who use their service, and check their overall rating to be sure.

Mars Cureg

Web designer by profession, photography hobbyist, T-shirt lover, design blog founder, gamer. Socially and physically awkward, lack of social skills, struggles to communicate with anyone who doesn't have a keyboard. Willing to walk to get to the promised land. Photo and video freelancer, SEO.