Having a fast and reliable internet connection is not only convenient but nowadays, it is already considered as a necessity. The reason behind this is that people now rely on their connection to get things done at work, to perform their requirements at school, or simply to entertain themselves and relax for a while. With the vast providers offering different plans, choosing the perfect one that will suit your needs can prove to be overwhelming. In line with this, below are some tips on how you will be able to properly compare different plans and end up with the right one.
Know your internet usage
One of the primary things that you need to consider before you even get to compare different plans is your primary purpose or why you need an internet connection in the first place. For instance, if you are merely a web surfer who needs access to emails and make voice calls, as well as low levels of social media usage, including occasional video streaming, then you would consume about 300 megabytes in an hour. This usage will typically increase if you are a social networker who frequently posts and downloads images and videos through social media networks, or if you often stream videos on different platforms. Still, your usage will prove to be even more if you are an online gamer because game updates require heavy data.
Identify the speed you need
Once you know your purpose or your internet usage habit, then you will be able to effortlessly identify the speed that you need to ensure that your connection is manageable. When you compare NBN plans, you may find that these are often categorized in four speed tiers namely Basic 1 and Basic 2, as well as the Standard and Fast tiers. The first two ones have a maximum download speed of 12Mbps and 25Mbps respectively, which can prove to be sufficient for the usual web surfer. This is most especially true if you are the only one heavily using the internet in your household.
On the other hand, if you are an online gamer or if you stream a lot of video and audio through various platforms, then you may need a faster download speed which the Standard and Fast tiers can offer, reaching up to a maximum of 25Mbps and 50Mbps respectively. This is beneficial for a household with three or more people simultaneously using the internet via different devices, even during peak hours such as in the evening. However, your connection may still be affected by latency when all users are leveraging bandwidth-intensive applications such as video streaming or online gaming. In this case, you may need to explore another speed tier, which is categorized as the Ultrafast speed.
Consider the price
As a general rule of thumb, the higher the speed tier that you opt for, the greater the price that you have to pay. This means that when you go for the basic NBN speed tiers, then you won’t pay that much. However, you need to consider that by adding only a couple of bucks to your current subscription, you can already be bumped into the next speed tier that can offer you a faster internet connection.
This can either be beneficial or unnecessary, depending on what you are using the internet for. For example, if you are a mere web surfer, then you won’t be able to fully utilize a faster service, which means that you are paying for an internet connection speed that you don’t really need. Conversely, when you heavily depend on the internet to run your business by posting and downloading videos on your social media accounts, then you may be getting the value of your money that you pay for since you can maximize your internet usage.
Explore the reputation of the ISP
Lastly, make sure that you exert the extra effort to explore the reputation of the internet service provider (ISP) that you work with by visiting online forums where you can get a good idea of what their current users and previous subscribers have to say about them. You may find that some may have a consistent five-star rating, while others may have a negative feedback time and again. What you come up with through your research can either validate your hunch in going for the services of a certain ISP, or direct you to another provider that offers the same plan inclusions, but with a better service.
In conclusion, it can be deemed that choosing the right plan boils down to your primary purpose for using the internet. Your purpose is a significant basis regarding the speed that you need that eventually determines the price that you have to pay for it. Once this is clear to you, make sure to go for a reputable ISP to ensure that not only are your needs met technically, but you will end up happy with the service as well.
