With several broadband providers across the country, you may not be sure which to pick. Several of them offer near-similar packages at various prices. However, speed is a deciding factor and plays a larger part in the decision that you would make. If the broadband is too slow, you may struggle to connect to the sites you need to access. On the other hand, if you go for a service that is too fast, you may be paying for a large part of the service that you do not need.
Do you go for Standard or Fibre Broadband?
A standard broadband package makes use of the ADSL technology to transmit data over the existing Openreach network. Most ADSL technologies offer download speeds of between 10Mbps and 11Mbps. However, the speed may be higher or lower, depending on your distance from the nearest phone exchange. This internet connection is the most popular across the UK and works well for most of the low and average internet users.
If you would like to move to a faster option, you should consider going for a fibre optic internet connection. Fibre optic is many times faster than ADSL, but costs a lot more. Several service providers such as Plusnet offer a few options for the fibre optic connections. Unfortunately, most of the fibre optic services do not actually connect the fibre optic cable to your home. Fibre is connected to the exchange cabinet along your street and then your home is connected to a phone line from the exchange. This is called Fibre to the Cabinet or FTTC and it offers speeds of between 63Mbps and 70Mbps. Homes that receive pure fibre get speeds up to 1Gbps. Recently, some companies started using coaxial cables to connect homes from the cabinet. The cables can deliver up to 362Mbps.
What about the Usage Allowance ?
The usage allowance is the bandwidth that you are allowed to use in a month. Service providers give a ceiling to how much data you can use in a month. This amount is reset each month. If you exhaust the allowance before the end of the month, your account will be restricted and you will not be able to access the websites. However, some of the internet service providers offer an option to buy an additional bundle that is valid until the end of the month. Therefore, in addition to speed, ensure that you pick a package that has data that would last you a month with your normal internet usage. You can use tools online to track your monthly usage.
Reliability
It is one thing for the service provider to promise high speeds and a continuous internet connection, and it is another thing to deliver. It is important to do a background check on the service provider you intend to use and determine if there are reliable. A reliable internet connection should have 99.9% availability at the advertised speeds. It is easy to check on reliability on the internet. Just type the service provider such as ‘Plusnet reviews’ and see what clients are saying about the service. The company should also have a customer service line that is available around the clock.
Do You Need a Landline?
Most broadband service providers also offer phone service. The bundled service is cheaper than taking up both services separately. If you use a home telephone line regularly, consider taking up the bundled offer. You can also go for the mobile offer if you use the internet on your phone a lot when you are out of the home. However, compare the packages with those of your traditional phone company.
Are you getting the right broadband service for your needs? Check the speed, your monthly usage versus the offered package and reliability. If not, it is time to move to a better deal.