Internet is essential to our lives now. There’s not a single person out there who doesn’t require an internet connection to go on with everyday responsibilities and chores. We need it at our homes, we need it at our educational institutions, we need it at our workplaces and what’s more, is that we need it for some basic entertainment.
The world is evolving and digital innovations are making life easier. We now have smart homes that require internet connectivity, smart devices that rely on stable internet connections. ISPs around the world are trying to bring out the best possible internet plans and deals to make all our networking dreams come true.
In the U.S, almost 90% of homes are connected to one ISP or another for high-speed internet. The rest 10% are either living in remote areas or are such individuals who are living below the poverty line. The Federal government has introduced assistance programs to bring them UpToDate with technological advancements.
Deciding on an internet service provider company is not an easy task these days. They are all bringing out deals and plans which look amazing on the outside. The quest for one that is excellent for your household can be a tricky one. You can minimize your search by keeping a few internet essentials in mind:
- Calculate the speed that you need for your internet activities. If you’re a casual surfer or a single user, you can do well enough with speeds that go up to a maximum of 100 to 200 Mbps. However, if you have a big household with multiple devices connecting at the same time, the Gig-speed may be best for you. So, pay for what you need and not more.
- Search for ISPs that are providing services in your area. You can do that by checking out Localcabledeals. You can enter your zip code on their website and it will show you a list of data carriers around your location.
- Compare plans and prices by looking at separate as well as bundle deals. You might have the option of selecting among Cable, Fiber-Optic, DSL, or Satellite internet connections. Decide on which one will be more suitable according to your needs.
- The cable connection is good since it is hardwired and solid. Moreover, it is the most commonly available among all four.
- Fiber is limited as well as expensive but extremely good for super-fast speeds with no glitches and buffering.
- DSL is affordable and reliable but a little slower than Cable internet. It is good for simple internet functions and light usage.
- Satellite may be the only option if you’re living in a rural area. The services may get hiccups during bad weather but some internet is better than no internet.
Now that we are decided on the how of selecting an internet connection, let’s highlight 4 ISPs that are offering the best internet plans with reliability.
AT&T Internet:
- Internet is reliable but pricey but since it is one of the oldest ISPs around, millions of users throughout America are still linked with AT&T.
- Their Gig plan is the fastest with speeds up to 1000 Mbps, unlimited data, a secure in-home Wi-Fi system, free equipment installation, and no-contract for $60 per month. They do charge a monthly equipment fee but with a guarantee of uncompromising bandwidth, who would go for anything else.
- They are available in almost all of the USA.
Xfinity:
- They offer six internet plans in all out of which, 2 are fiber-optic plans. With variable choices to select from, Comcast Xfinity has access to almost 39 states nationwide as well as Washington, D.C.
- The cable plans start from $29.99 with a download speed up to 15 Mbps and go to a maximum of $69.99 per month with a speed up to 600 Mbps. There will be no installation charges if you go for self-help and discounts are offered if you select paperless billing.
- The fiber internet may not be available in your area as it is being offered at limited locations for now. You can get the ultra high speed of up to 2 Gbps at $299 per month which is a little expensive but if you’re a gaming buff or a high-end user then you may want to invest in their services.
Spectrum:
- They are available in almost 44 states across the U.S, making it one of the biggest ISPs of America. Their services are reliable and their no-contract facility is amazing. Add to this the 30-day money-back guarantee and you cannot just overlook Spectrum.
- All of their telecommunication services are offered with outstanding plans. Their basic internet package got upgraded to 200 Mbps for $49.99 per month which is enough for streaming, digital surfing, light online gaming, etc.
- They also offer a Gig package with an ultra-high-speed of 940 Mbps which is perfect for connecting a multitude of devices and gadgets. A huge family can watch seasons and do some serious online gaming at the same time.
- A free modem comes with all of their internet packages plus a free antivirus. Access to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots spread through the country is another superb plus that goes in Spectrum’s favor.
Optimum:
- The last on our list of best ISPs for the internet is Optimum.
- Like Spectrum, Optimum also offers a no-contract deal which is perfect in case you want to change or upgrade your connection.
- Additionally, their price-for-life facility is just amazing since it fixes your monthly bill at the price that was initially decided at the time of buying the connection.
- It is cheaper than most ISPs since its 300 Mbps plan costs only $40 per month.
- The downside to Optimum is their limited availability.