Selecting the right internet service is an important decision in today’s digital age. Once considered a novelty, then a luxury, it has now become an essential part of people’s lives at home and at work, especially during the current pandemic.
Before we get started, let’s begin with a glossary of terms.
Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data transmitted over an internet connection in a given amount of time, commonly measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
Bit is the most basic unit of electronic information. A bit is expressed as either a one or a zero as part of the binary code that makes computers work. A Kilobit(Kb) is 1,000 bits, a Megabit (Mb) is 1,000,000 bits, and a Gigabit (Gb) is 1,000,000,000 bits.
Byte is 8 consecutive bits. 1Megabyte (MB) is 8,000,000 bits.
Broadband refers to high-speed Internet access that is always on. The current definition is 25 Mbps download speed/3 Mbps upload speed, as set by the Federal Communications Commission.
Cable internet uses the same types of cables that transmit cable TV services. It has broadband capability.
Digital Subscription Line (DSL) utilizes a connection that looks similar to a phone line, but the wiring inside is different and permits broadband transmission. DSL is much faster than dial-up. Telephone companies that also provide internet service often use this technology.
Download speed is how fast your internet connection can transfer data from a server to you.
Fiber internet is the fastest widely-available internet technology. It uses fiber-optic cables, which are capable of transmitting large amounts of information quickly.
Latency is the time it takes for a request to travel from the sender to the receiver and for the receiver to process that request. In other words, the round trip time from the browser to the server.
Speed (throughput) is the amount of data actually being transferred per second. Factors such as latency, limitations of your equipment, as well as signal strength, determine the actual speed of your internet connection.
Upload speed is how fast your internet connection can transfer data from your computer to a server.
The first consideration when choosing internet service is bandwidth. Different activities carried out on the internet require different bandwidths, and since that bandwidth will be shared by all your devices, you will need enough to satisfy using them at the same time.
If you plan on streaming video in High Definition you should have 8-10 Mbps per device. If you wish to stream 4K video content, you should have at least 25Mbps per device. Frequent downloading of large files requires a minimum of 50Mbps. Video conferencing requires at least 5 Mbps per device (Note: upload speed is important). Online gaming can be conducted on a 5Mbps connection, however, upload speed and latency are crucial for this activity.
Once you have decided how much bandwidth you need, you can check out websites like Broadband Now and In My Area to get an idea of which providers serve your area.
People in metro areas should use cable providers or telephone companies that provide broadband, preferably fiber-optic service. People living in rural areas have fewer choices for broadband, typically limited to satellite internet, which is slower and more expensive than other types of internet service. Satellite also suffers from high latency. Most phone companies in rural areas are limited to DSL. There are now small companies that offer wireless services which require a radio transceiver and antenna.
Many internet companies offer promotions, bundles that require multiple services, and multi-tiered plans tailored to your needs
Cost is usually determined by the amount of bandwidth being sold. A 100Mbps plan will cost more than a 25 Mbps plan.
The bottom line is that you should choose your options carefully, check customer reviews, and talk to people who have the service in which you are interested. Often you can negotiate prices, especially if you are an existing customer and are upgrading or adding services.
