Looking at Home Internet Options – A Good Connection Is a Must
There are some essentials in just about any home – high-speed internet happens to be among them. This is no exaggeration, and the internet has long surpassed the status of a luxury commodity. Now, it really is difficult to imagine how our average day would unfold without access to it. The FCC even considers it an essential communications technology.
Sure, we use it for entertainment. But, people also go online for news, service information, work, and many other vital needs. As such, a reliable home Internet connection really is something you cannot do without.
Now, precisely because good internet is so important, it pays to carefully examine your options. First of all, you need to find a plan which suits your requirements. Secondly, you should look at different providers as you may be able to find a more affordable deal or get better value for money. And in order to help you find the best option for your home internet, we’ll go over some of the things you should keep in mind.
Different Technologies
In order to get high-speed internet in your home, you’ll be looking at three main connection types: DSL, cable, or fiber-optic. Now, there are other ways to get internet such as satellite or fixed wireless. But, these options are primarily for when a user cannot access the “regular” services due to geographical restrictions. They have numerous limitations, and we will not cover them in this text.
First up, DSL is a technology you’ll find in countless households, and it allows you to access the internet with the help of existing telephone lines. DSL coverage is very wide, and you will likely have several options to choose from. The downside is that the other two options tend to be faster, but you can still get very nice speeds with it.
For the second option we mentioned, you’ll be using a coaxial cable. And if your area isn’t covered by a fiber-optic network, cable internet is pretty often your best bet. Most of the time, it is both fast and reliable. But, you may not have a lot of choice regarding the provider. Specifically, while cable internet has excellent coverage and your home likely has access to it, it is not uncommon for a single cable provider to dominate the local market. This is because of the required infrastructure. So, you may have a limited selection.
Finally, fiber-optic internet is the current gold standard. The speeds it offers are simply unmatched, and it is the way of the future. The only problem is that a lot of areas still don’t have the necessary infrastructure to support it. But this network is constantly expanding.
Standalone or Bundle
There is no doubt that the underlying technology you are using for your home internet is important. After all, it will determine many aspects of your user experience. But, the internet plan you have is perhaps even more important – it’s a day-to-day concern. And here, you need to choose between standalone offers and bundle deals.
An inescapable truth is that the internet has infiltrated every aspect of our lives. And if that is all you’re concerned about, then you should get a standalone plan. But, many providers go beyond just the internet – they also offer TV and phone services. And in order to promote them, they offer bundle deals. This option is definitely worth considering as it has a lot of potential – if the bundle contains everything you need, you really can save a pretty penny.
In order to help you get a general idea of the offer, we’ll quickly look at three major providers. But it is very important to note that this varies a great deal according to location. The services a provider offers (or whether it offers them at all) and their prices will not be the same everywhere so take these figures with a grain of salt and make sure to double-check the details for your location.
AT&T
Standalone
AT&T offers both DSL and fiber Internet and different tiers for both of them. The prices start at $50 per month (during the promo period) and go up from there. You should note that almost all of their plans come with a data cap of one terabyte. This is more than enough for most but may become an issue if you have numerous demanding users within your home.
Bundles
AT&T also has several different packages if you want both Internet and TV. You can also throw a wireless phone plan into the mix and get everything for a decent bundle price.
Verizon Fios
Standalone
Fios is Verizon’s fiber-optic network, and it ensures lightning-fast speeds. There are multiple plans to choose from (starting from $39.99), and they will be able to satisfy even the most demanding users.
Bundles
The highlight of Verizon’s offer is the Triple Play including Verizon Wireless. It also comes in three different varieties (the most extensive one is $109.99 per month) and can cover all your internet, phone, and TV needs.
Xfinity
Standalone
Xfinity offers a lot of options when it comes to choosing your plan. For internet, the speeds start at 15 Mbps and go all the way up to 2000, which is mind-bogglingly fast but will set you back $299.95 per month).
Bundles
There are also many plans when it comes to bundles. Whether you want to include TV, phone, or both – you’ll have plenty to choose from. One package includes an internet connection with a 150 Mbps download speed, over 200 TV channels, and extensive phone services for $119.99.
Conclusion about Home Internet Options
We cannot overstate how integral the internet has become to our everyday lives. So, take the time to explore your options. Check which technologies and connection types are available in your location. Compare different providers. A good home internet connection is crucial these days, and you want to make sure you get it right.