For most people, internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a requirement. With the pandemic, most of us are learning and working from home. Internet is never one-size-fits-all. Every household has different needs for internet solutions and different considerations to factor into their choice. It’s important to assess your needs and situation before you sign your internet contract or not (No contracts here at RV Broadband Solutions LLC). Here are some of the top factors to consider when choosing an internet service provider.
- Availability in Your Location
- Download and Upload Speed (Oh and latency!)
- Contract
- Type of Connection
- Reliability
- Equipment
- Customer Support
Availability in Your Location
What options are available in your location? If you are looking for a fiber-optic or cable network in a rural area, you will most likely find that you are out of luck. The good news is that satellite internet is more widely available in rural areas. The bad news is that it rarely works. Why is this? Satellite internet suffers from higher latency than other types of internet connections, mostly because it has to travel such a long distance through the atmosphere versus a high-speed cable or cell phone tower. Not to mention, you will pay a hefty internet bill for satellite internet that is less than usable with data caps.
Not sure if we service your area? You can always call us at 803-317-2743 or chat with us at rvbroadbandsolutions.com.
Download and Upload Speed
If you like to stream videos or play games, you should be concerned about download and upload speed. At RV Broadband Solutions, LLC, we like you to consider latency as well. If your download speed is 100 and your upload is 50, but your latency is 5000, you won’t be downloading any faster than a tortoise crossing a finish line. No one wants to spend all day waiting for a download to complete. Most of our customers that get at least 10 mbps download and 5 mbps upload have no issues completing any task in front of them. Why is that? Our ping is on point! Hot nasty speed isn’t so hot and nasty without an excellent ping. Don’t overdo it by purchasing extremely fast internet that you can’t afford and that you probably won’t need.
Cost and Contract
Internet service providers charge a wide range of prices for service. Some may offer “free equipment” and sell you on $100 a month for unlimited internet. By the time you get your monthly bill, you owe $339 for the month. Most ISPs will secretly charge an equipment leasing fee, data overage, service fee, and all kinds of other charges. For some people, it can be costly to get started with RV Broadband Solutions LLC. However, our service is unlimited for a flat fee a month and you will never get a bill for $339 from us for various fees. You purchase your equipment up front. We also do not have contracts or credit checks either! Only you can determine how much you’re willing to spend on your internet bill and what suits your family’s needs.
Another point to consider is the cost in terms of the contract. Typical cable, fiber, or DSL internet provider draws up contracts that are only up to a year in length, satellite internet providers tend to be longer, usually 2 years. There are astronomical fees for breaking a contract with some providers.
Type of Connection
When it comes to the type of connection, you’ll have a few different options. Each one has its pros and cons.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)—Typically, this is the cheapest internet option, and there is a wide range of DSL speeds available. However, your DSL speed will depend on where you’re located in relation to your provider. The farther away, the weaker your connection will be.
Cable—This is faster than DSL, but the speed will depend on how many people in your area are also using cable internet. So, for example, if you are trying to stream a movie at night when many others are on the internet, you should expect to experience a slower connection.
Satellite—This is a widely available option, meaning if you’re in an underserved market you’ll probably still have this option. However, it’s usually slower than other options.
Fiber-optic—Generally this is the fastest and most reliable type of internet connection. However, it’s not available in every market, and it’s usually more expensive.
Cellular technology—If you live rurally and there aren’t many other options, you can get fast internet with a provider like RV Broadband Solutions LLC, which combines the latest cellular technology. This is great for the RV community, as you can take it anywhere.
Reliability
Unreliable internet is for the birds. Reviews, reviews, reviews. Check the reviews for the ISP you are researching (especially for your area). This is the best way to find out about a particular ISPs reliability. Reliability can be vital when working or learning remotely.
Let’s not be so judgmental though, a lot of factors can play into an ISPs reliability. Consider the type of internet you have and if outside factors play a role in connectivity. Adverse weather conditions or topographical challenges can factor in to your internet’s reliability. If you have fiber-optic internet, the lines are buried underground, which usually means the connection will be strong regardless of the weather conditions.
Equipment
Equipment is everything! Without a good router and accessories, your internet may still be useless. You get what you pay for, so invest in your equipment. Most ISPs will require you to have their specific equipment, but some may not. Remember to read your contract with whoever you decide to go with. Leasing fees can get expensive and fast!
You can usually expect to shell out $5 to $20 each month on top of your internet plan itself, but may end up pay as much as $100 a month extra. This may not seem like a lot at first, but it definitely adds up. Shop around for a good deal if you can! Unlike our plug and play unit at RV Broadband Solutions, LLC, some providers will charge you for installation and service calls as well.
Customer Support
You’re bound to experience some technical or billing difficulties with your ISP along the way, no matter how reliable your connection is. Excellent customer service matters! When shopping for an internet service provider, call around and talk to their customer service department. Perhaps, even keep a scorecard. How long did they take to answer the problem? Did they answer all your questions? Could you understand what the customer representative was saying? Did they actually fix the problem? Did they follow up with you? You can also read customer reviews or ask friends and family about their experiences. RV Broadband Solutions, LLC has a stellar reputation for providing customer satisfaction.
A little research goes a long way. Jumping in to a decision head first because of a cheap price, may be a costly mistake. We feel sure that you will find the perfect fit for your needs. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions that we may answer for you about our service. We would love to be part of your research!