How to Select the Right Internet Access Provider
Today, in this tech and internet savvy world, you may find that you will have multiple options of internet access providers to choose from. As technology and competition evolve, it is important to keep up with options and trends. For companies, this can be a very important decision because today many companies depend on Internet access for communications and it can be a challenge when deciding which Internet provider offers the best Internet service necessary for their operations. .
Although you can easily compare online, how can you know for sure that you are choosing the right Internet service provider? Do you have a professional technical support team? Will they respond promptly when problems arise with your internet service? These are important questions to ask yourself when looking for a local Internet service. If you are looking for the right Internet service provider, here are some important points to consider.
Step 1: find out who the local providers are.
You can find a local Internet service provider for your home or business by asking family members, neighbors, or searching online. The key is to find a reliable service provider. If you do an online search, you can browse the website of your local Internet provider and see what kind of Internet service they offer. If they are local, they are more likely to have an increase in personal support and are more likely to be able to respond to problems if they arise much faster.
Step 2: determine your ability to access the network.
Before choosing an Internet provider, be sure to ask about their network access capabilities. Do you offer cable, DSL, T1, T3, Ethernet, or fiber optics? Here’s a quick overview of each one.
Cable or DSL – A high-speed Internet service that operates over telephone lines or cable service. Typically lower cost and reasonable download speeds, however, it is more suitable for residential customers who mostly download and can be limiting when trying to upload. The speeds of uploading or sending information will be limited depending on the connection method and distance from the ISP’s point of presence (POP). DSL is distance sensitive, so the further you are from the ISP’s POP, the slower the DSL speed. Cable and DSL are not available in all areas, and certain areas may have uneven speeds and performance, so you should ask for recommendations. Cable and DSL require basic setup and typically include hardware / routers that can also be purchased for $ 50 or more at a local computer store. Cable and DSL commonly come with a dynamic (not static) IP, so if you need a static IP, you may need to purchase these. At this time, DSL and Cable do not offer guarantees, so you have to keep your fingers crossed with performance and uptime.
T1 – Commonly used by US businesses T1 provides businesses with a very reliable phone line and / or Internet connection. It is a dedicated connection between your company and the closest point of presence (POP) of the ISP and no one else shares it. It carries much faster upload / download speeds starting at 1,544 Mbps and can be joined with other T1s to provide more uptime with speeds of up to 10 Mbps or 24 voice trunks for each T1. One of the main benefits of T1 is that it offers a guarantee of quality, speed of upload and download through what is called SLA (Service Level Agreement). Equipment is usually provided, however you need to confirm this as due to higher throughput speeds T1 requires higher performance routers and configuration and T1 routers run from $ 800 +. T1 includes static IPs; however, some providers charge for additional static IP addresses, so factor this into your T1 cost when making your decision. T1 is available in all areas and costs range from $ 250- $ 800 + per monthly service at each T1 depending on the speed of the circuit and geographic location.
T3 – Commonly used by US businesses T1 provides businesses with a very reliable phone line and / or Internet connection. It is a dedicated connection between your company and the closest point of presence (POP) of the ISP and no one else shares it. It carries much faster upload / download speeds starting at 1,544 Mbps and can be joined with other T1s to provide more uptime with speeds of up to 10 Mbps or 24 voice trunks for each T1. One of the main benefits of T1 is that it offers a guarantee of quality, speed of upload and download through what is called SLA (Service Level Agreement). Equipment is usually provided, however you need to confirm this as due to higher throughput speeds T1 requires higher performance routers and configuration and T1 routers run from $ 800 +. T1 includes static IPs; however, some providers charge for additional static IP addresses, so factor this into your T1 cost when making your decision. T1 is available in all areas and costs range from $ 250- $ 800 + per monthly service at each T1 depending on the speed of the circuit and geographic location.
Ethernet Internet – This type of network access uses Ethernet LAN cards from the ISP’s POP switch. The cards have speeds of up to 100 Mbps. However, the speed is determined by the type of network and the distance of the Ethernet equipment from the ISP. Speeds for businesses start from 3 Mbps to 100 Mbps. The fastest Ethernet reaches Gbps. In speed, one Gbps equals 1000 Mbps. Ethernet Internet is not available in all areas, as it requires a central / POP office to be equipped with Ethernet. Like T1 and T3, Ethernet ensures quality, upload and download performance through what is called an SLA (Service Level Agreement) and includes static IPs. Providers may charge for additional static IP and hardware. You should check with your vendor as the hardware as this can be very expensive starting at $ 5000 + due to higher performance and performance requirements. Ethernet Internet costs range from $ 400 per month service and even depending on speed, type of delivery (EOC, Cat5, Cat6, and Fiber), and distance of equipment from ISP.
Fiber Optic: It consists of plastic or glass threads to transmit information (data). Information is transmitted digitally and has a much higher bandwidth capacity that is virtually unlimited compared to metallic cables. Fiber optics uses newer technology and must be installed by specialized technicians, as poor connections will cause packet drops (packet loss) and slower bandwidth speeds due to installation errors. Fiber optics is not available in all areas, requiring expensive fiber equipment, permits, and facilities. Like T1, T3 and Ethernet, Fiber guarantees quality, upload and download performance through what is called SLA (Service Level Agreement) and includes static IPs. Providers may charge for additional static IP and hardware. You should check with your vendor as the hardware as this can be very expensive starting at $ 10,000 + due to higher performance and performance requirements. Fiber Internet costs for businesses range from $ 100 + per monthly service and even depending on speed, operator, and distance from POP providers.
Step 3: Check the vendors’ SLAs (Service Level Agreements).
A quality Internet service provider should be able to offer customers a high level of performance and reliability. If you are looking for a fast and reliable internet connection, it is a good idea to make it mandatory to enforce an SLA and avoid any company that does not offer an industry standard SLA because you could risk experiencing slow speeds and frequent outages. Today’s businesses rely heavily on the Internet for productivity and communications to sustain business, and downtime can cost you money.
Step 4: Check to see if they offer online tools.
As more people work and use the Internet, businesses are now using online tools to measure Internet performance. Any legitimate Internet provider will use the Internet to help the consumer communicate with the provider and will offer technology to help the user receive as much of the service they provide as possible. Common online tools are performance monitoring, web statistics, network ping systems, online ticketing systems, and other network or web statistics.
Step 5: beware of low prices.
Often times, many upstart ISPs will offer lower prices than your local ISP. Unfortunately, many of these short-lived competitors have pulled out due to bad business practices. Remember, just because an Internet provider advertises the cheapest prices in the industry does not mean that they offer the best value. Many people have been scammed for short-term business. The unfortunate consumer discovers a few months later that his Internet service actually costs him more money. It is best to choose a provider that has been in business for more than 5 years, has a good and diverse list of clients, and offers competitive rates. At least you are guaranteed a quality Internet service.
Step 6: check your references.
Check the internet provider’s references before you commit. A legitimate service provider will have no problem offering your referrals to new customers. You can go a step further and check the Better Business Bureau online to see if the business has unresolved complaints from dissatisfied customers. You can also do a quick Google search for the ISP and see if there are customer complaints or negative comments posted on the web.
Step 7: Find out if they offer professional customer support.
Technical problems occur with an Internet service. Regardless of whether you have DSL, T1, T3, Ethernet, or fiber optic, at some point you may be asked to contact technical support. An Internet Service Provider should be able to offer its customers quality technical support for free. Furthermore, a provider should also be able to offer its customers free email accounts. Every Internet provider should offer its customers a well-trained team of customer service representatives who are qualified to support the services that the providers provide.
Step 8: Find out if they offer discounts and specials.
An advantage of being a new subscriber is that many local Internet access providers offer special promotions and discounts for new subscribers. Pick a couple of local ISPs and compare the services they offer and see if they fit your needs. Then compare your rates before making a final decision.
In conclusion, a company that values its customers also values its employees. They will provide their employees with the appropriate training to deal with customer inquiries in a professional manner. When looking for an Internet access provider, a good way to know if you are choosing the right Internet company is to see if you have a good report with the representative when you first contact the company by phone.
Not only should the representative be courteous, but they should also be able to answer your questions clearly and concisely. A sales team that is only interested in your sale and is unwilling to answer any of your questions in a courteous and professional manner is an Internet Service Provider to steer clear of.
As you can see, finding a good ISP is not complicated after all.