Living without the internet can be extremely difficult. What’s worse? Living with an internet plan that doesn’t meet your needs. Choosing the best internet service can be tricky. In this article, we’ll help you to narrow down your choices. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you decide which internet provider’s services are best for you.

Determine your Need for Speed

To understand internet speed, it is important to understand the meaning of Bandwidth. Bandwidth is the maximum rate at which you can download data from the internet to your computer or device. It is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Depending on your data needs and activities, you can determine your bandwidth capacity and understand the kind of speed you will require. To make it easier, we’ve listed down common internet activities and the speed required for each

Internet Activity	Internet Speed Requirement
General Web Surfing, Email, Social Media	1 Mbps
Video Conferencing	2-4 Mbps
Lightweight Online Gaming	1-3 Mbps
Data-intensive Online Gaming	4-6 Mbps
Standard Definition Video Streaming	3-4 Mbps
High Definition Video Streaming	5-8 Mbps
Frequent Large File Downloading	40 Mbps+

Know your Internet Provider Options

Once you’ve determined what internet speed will suit you and your requirements the best, you can start looking for internet service providers. Every provider brings with them their own plans and packages. The way these providers function determines the kind of packages they offer, the customer service they provide and the overall satisfaction they fulfill for each of their customers.

You can do a quick research online or even speak to family, friends or neighbors and inquire about the internet service they use. This will help you get a first-hand review of the provider and their service. Websites like Broadband Now and In My Area help you get an idea of which providers serve your area or location. Many cable providers and phone/satellite companies also offer internet service; some even have fiber optic services on offer. 

Find the Best Package

Once you’ve listed down your internet requirements and determined a speed that will need to match it and found a decent service provider for it, you can now select the best package on offer. Your package will vary greatly on the following factors: Data download requirements, Voice/Video calling features, Texting options, etc. Here are a couple of things you need to consider before settling in on a package.

• Bundles

Many providers have bundled services on offer. A Bundle means a combination of phone, internet and TV service, provided in a package. If you need a new phone, you would also require internet access and hence, a bundled service works well for someone with similar requirements. With the advent of smart TVs, you may also require internet/broadband services at home. A smart bundle package can help you save some bucks.

• Offers & Discounts

In order to get more first-time customers on board, many service providers offer deals and promotions that can help you save a lot of money. Even if you’re an existing customer, you can alter your plans as per your needs. Make sure to visit the provider’s store or call them once before you select a package. There’s a great chance that they might have some discounts to offer, in order to make sure you stick around with the same provider for a long time.