With everyone connected through the internet nowadays, an internet connection has become as essential as electricity and running water. Whether you are watching your favorite shows, working at home, playing games, or using interconnected smart devices, you need a reliable internet connection.
So, choosing the right internet plan will really make a difference in your life. But with too many options on the horizon, picking the ideal one for yourself can get pretty confusing.
This article will explore some of the best internet plans for your home to help you choose the perfect one for your household’s online lifestyle.
Understanding Your Needs
Before we dive into the internet plan options available for your home, you must assess the unique needs of your home to make the most informed decision.
Budget
The most important factor to consider is, of course, your budgetary requirements. You must first determine how much you are willing to spend on a home internet plan before you look at any lists. According to a survey by Forbes, internet connections under 1 Gbps cost an average of $20 to $90 per month.
Speed and Data Requirements
Think about how much data and speed will be required for your home. To get an idea, answer the following questions:
- How many devices will be connected to it?
- What kind of usage will be required from the internet service e.gn., remote working, video game streaming, heavy downloading, or just basic browsing?
Future Growth
When investing in an internet plan, you must analyze its usage in the long term. Consider how your family or internet data and speed requirements might grow in the future. Will you require more than your current needs in the future?
Location and Availability
Depending on your location, you might have different types of internet services available to you e.g., fiber optic, DSL, or satellite.
Types of Internet Connections
There is more than one way to get an internet connection, wired or wireless. Let’s explore the different kinds of internet connections available.
Wired
Fiber Internet
This is the fastest internet connection you can get. It is as fast as the speed of light—literally!
Fibre optic internet consists of long lines of fiber or glass that transmit data in the form of light signals. It can provide an internet speed of around 1000 to 5000 Mbps. However, fiber internet is not widely available due to logistic issues.
Cable Internet
This is the most common type of internet connection. While cable internet is not as fast as fiber, it offers amazingly high speeds. It can offer a download speed of 1000 Mbps and an upload speed of 35 Mbps. It is also one of the more affordable options available.
DSL Internet
DSL refers to the “digital subscriber line.” It uses copper phone lines to provide a connection. This, of course, impacts its speed and data coverage. Its speed range is anywhere between 5 to 120 Mbps. However, it is also much cheaper and a great option for rural areas where fiber and cable internet are not readily available.
Wireless
5G Home Internet
Well, getting mobile internet for your home needs is a more practical option than wired ones. You must consider this if you live in an area with a good cellular infrastructure.
For a home connection, you can get a router to catch the 5G signals. Moreover, the speeds offered by 5G depend on the service you are subscribed to.
Fixed Wireless Internet
This option is not too convenient as it requires a mounted plate facing the nearest cellular tower. The signals are sent over the air between the tower and the plate.
This connection offers quite slow speeds of 5 to 50 Mbps. It is also not very budget-friendly with an average rate of $50. The signal quality is also not very reliable. It can be distorted by distance, or objects between the tower and dish.
Satellite Internet
This connection uses a satellite dish to connect to geostationary satellites orbiting in space. The average internet speed offered by satellite connection is 12 to 120 Mbps. This makes it great for households on the smaller side for their basic needs.
Other than this, Satellite internet needs tools like a dish and modem. You can either buy them or rent them. This is why it is an expensive type of internet connection than other internet types, the average cost being $100 per month. For faster-than-average speeds, the price will be hiked up even more.
Top Internet Providers offering Best Internet Plans for Home
Here is a list of the top Internet Service providers. Also, keep in mind that speeds, prices, and plan availability may fluctuate from region to region.
Xfinity
- Speed Range: 150 Mbps- 1.2 Gbps
- Available across 41 states, Xfinity offers a wide variety of Xfinity Internet plans.
- Its services also include a large network of hotspots that can be accessed by subscribers, making it perfect for people on the go as well as homes.
AT&T Internet
- Speed Range: 100 Mbps- 5 Gbps
- The best feature of AT&T Internet is its ability to provide speedy internet, thanks to its expanding fiber network, with no data caps and without the hassle of annual contracts.
- This service is, however, available in only 21 states.
Cox Communications
- Speed Range: 100 Mbps- 2 Gbps
- The best feature of Cox Communications is its customization option for packages. They offer a variety of plans that are bound to meet your needs.
Spectrum Internet
- Speed Range: 500 Mbps- 1 Gbps
- What makes Spectrum best for home connections is the inclusion of a modem with every plan. It comes with no contracts, and it is perfect for homes that prefer long-term reliability.
- Available across 41 states, Spectrum offers both installation services and a self-installation kit.
T-Mobile Home Internet
- Speed Range: 33 Mbps- 245 Mbps
- T-Mobile offers the most reliable no-contract, flat payment internet plans for homes.
- The flat payment of $50 comes with absolutely no hidden costs. You can also look forward to additional discounts with their bundle plans.
- Its wireless plan includes 5G home internet options as well as Internet Lite plans that offer 5G and 4G LTE services.
Xtream by Mediacom Internet
- Speed Range: 250 Mbps- 1 Gbps
- It is a fiber optic internet service provider that is available across 22 states.
- Its most standout feature is its affordable price. Additionally, it offers the most flexible plans for people who want good internet speed without excessive data coverage.
Google Fiber
- Speed Range: 1 Gbps – 8 Gbps
- If you are on the lookout for exceptional internet speeds, Google Fibre is the right option for you. For such fast speeds, the costs are competitive as well. You also get an additional 1 TB of cloud storage with your internet plan.
- However, Google Fiber has very low availability.
Factors to Consider
Here are the factors you should consider when choosing an internet plan for yourself:
Data Caps
Many internet plans come with a hidden data cap. These data caps can lead to overuse fees or sluggish internet when the limit is reached. For home internet to be used by an entire family, unlimited data is preferable.
Bundles
Many providers offer mobile data, TV, or phone services bundles in their home internet plans. Looking out for these bundles can offer significant discounts and convenience.
Hidden Costs
Some providers have hidden costs on top of the subscription fees. This can come in the form of a separate router fee, installment fee, or overcharges.
Customer Support and Reliability
It is important that you look beyond what a service provider is offering and consider their reputation as well. Prioritize providers that are reliable and will provide ample customer support when you need assistance.
Tips for Optimizing Your Internet
Here are some steps you can take to optimize your Internet:
Turn Your Router on and Off
This old-school method is worth a try when trying to optimize your Wi-Fi signals. Simply unplug your router and wait at least 30 seconds before starting it again.
Get a Wi-Fi Extender
Wi-Fi extenders are easy-to-use devices that can be plugged into any wall outlet. They catch the internet signals from your router and repeat them. This extends the range of your internet.
Upgrade Your Router
Not all routers have the same functionality, features, or operability. If you are not satisfied with your current system, consider upgrading to a router with better features.
Change Your Location
Wi-Fi signals can be hindered by physical barriers between routers and devices such as walls, doors, closets, or even just distance. For a stronger signal strength, move your devices closer to the router. Try to place your router in a central position of your home.
Switch to Ethernet Cable
You can turn your wireless connection into a wired one simply by connecting your devices to the router with an Ethernet cable. This will get rid of any interruptions to the signals, providing a smooth and strong signal strength.
Change Your Channel or Band
Your router transmits signals at a particular frequency. Most routers have 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency radios. If multiple routers around you are working within the same spectrum, it can cause some serious congestion. To prevent this from happening, you can try manually changing your channel or band.
Key Takeaways…
Choosing the right internet plan for your home is very important in an internet-driven world. You must understand what you and your family need, what is available in your area, and how much you are willing to spend.
