Comparing internet service providers is tricky. Some come out as the biggest, while others advertise themselves as the cheapest and fastest. Yet, oftentimes, it should be a mix of the three to get the best internet experience.
Here are 5 ways to do an internet comparison to let you labour, play, and stay connected all day.
Find the Local Internet Service Provider Available in Your Area
First, you need your postcode. Your address is the main determinant when doing internet comparison. Don’t sign up with the very first ISP that pops up. List all the ISPs operating in your area – from large companies to smaller ones. Having a list is the best way to compare.
Check for Reviews if the ISP is Reliable
After you’ve made the list of ISPs operating in your area, check for reviews. This is to see if they are reliable. Ask for recommendations from family, friends, and neighbours. Learn from their experiences with internet service providers. Browse on review platforms and social media networks. Choose unbiased sources like Compare Broadband and Canstar Blue to ensure that you’re getting trustworthy information. The bottom line is to stay away from ISPs with many complaints.
Look for an ISP that Provides 24/7 Support
You may encounter connection issues in the middle of the night. And you need to finish up an assignment or task for an early morning deadline. This is why you should look for an ISP that offers 24/7 support. They can either be through call or chat. If you get the chance to visit their websites, see for yourself if they’re easy to navigate. Do they have DIY troubleshooting guides? Such tools can ease up your connection trouble journey.
Look at What Values the ISPs Can Deliver
Once you’re familiar with the reliable and reputable ISPs available in your location, it’s time to see the values they can offer to you. These include the data cap, NBN speed, and the type of technology they use for connecting you to the internet.
Some ISPs offer plans with a limit on a data cap. They may either be 10 GB to 500GB. Other ISPs offer unlimited data usage. With a 10 GB data cap, you can do any of the following:
- 10 SD movie downloads
- 32 hours of Skype video calls
- 64 hours of music streaming
- 80 regular apps downloads
- 500 hours of browsing
From here, you can decide the right amount of data your household uses monthly.
There are 4 NBN speed tiers currently offered for households:
- NBN 12 is suitable for 2 to 3 persons who only need basic day-to-day phone and internet usage.
- NBN25 is suitable for 2 to 3 persons who engage in basic streaming entertainment like Netflix and Stan.
- NBN 50 is suitable for 3 to 6 persons. This NBN speed tier is the most popular among Australian households. It allows every household member to connect and enjoy individual entertainment, gaming, and surfing needs.
- NBN 100 is a superfast internet option for Australian homes. It offers plenty of bandwidth for everyone. Such bandwidths are enough for gaming, large files downloading, multiple smart devices connections, and simultaneous 4K streaming.
There are 5 types of technology used by ISPs today:
- HFC taps coaxial cables to optical fibres.
- FTTB connects coaxial cables to a broadband cabinet.
- FTTC taps copper cables to a curb.
- FTTN connects HFC cables to FTTN cabinets. This is the most reliable internet connection among Australian households today. Why? Because they are cheaper and easier to repair.
- FTTP is a full-fibre optic internet connection.
Check for Any Price You Can Save
Price is one of the most important factors to consider when doing an internet comparison. A $5.00 difference can be huge savings over time. That’s equal to a yearly savings of $60.00. Be smart in weighing the budget and what you need. The most challenging part is to look for a bundle that best suits your needs.
- Do you need a phone for daily calls?
- Are you a big fan of cable TV?
- Or are you a Netflix or video streaming addict?
Be smart by contacting the ISPs to know their specific bundle offers. You might be able to compare and get less expensive plans through it.
