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How to Choose a Home Internet Service

Last Updated March 25, 2020

If you struggled to download this page and you need to sit within a few inches of the router to get Wi-Fi working, maybe it's time to look for a new internet service provider. The truth is that different products work better for each person depending on their requirements, their location, their budget and the speed they need, but there are some buying decisions that we should all adhere to when we're looking for a new home internet service.

Speed

Different services are available in different areas but no matter where you are, you'll have some choice on the speed you want. Every company uses the term "broadband" but that only means a connection that's faster than dial-up internet and no one uses that anymore so let's consider the megabits per second you should aim for. If you're using the web to shop and search for things, two Mbps will be enough. If you're streaming TV, you'll need three Mbps for DVD quality, five for HD, and seven for super HD quality.

There are three types on offer, DSL, cable or satellite. DSL is the standard way of getting internet. It comes through the existing phone lines which is why it's generally the cheapest alternative. You can get up to 25 Mbps but the further you are from the service provider, the slower your service which is a major drawback. If you live in a major city, this is normally the best way of getting online. If not, you should check out the other two options.

Cable

Americans are used to watching TV through cable so having cable internet won't be a major shock. The speeds of this type of service are normally faster than DSL. You could get as much as 100 Mbps which would be great for a family sharing the connection across a lot of devices simultaneously. There's a major drawback though. The service is shared with the whole neighborhood which means it will be slow at busy times like the evenings. That's not the case with DSL.

Satellite

You could opt for satellite internet if you can't get DSL or cable. It's definitely the third choice because it will only offer up to 20 Mbps. There are also interruptions from time to time in the service, which may or may not be that noticeable depending on what you do online. Streaming a live match or a movie could be a problem but checking Emails or online shopping won't be disturbed too much. Those living in rural areas might only have this option.

Personal

Aside from getting information online, you should also ask for recommendations from your friends and family, particularly those who live in your area. There's nothing better than a personal recommendation when it comes to the web. If your neighbor watches Netflix without problems, the chances are you will be able to if you have the same internet provider. Recommendations can also give you an idea if the package is good value for money and how good the provider is at fixing issues.