10 questions you should ask before choosing an internet service

Research is the best way to ensure you are getting the right internet plan for your household’s needs. Before you commit to a provider or plan, make sure all of your questions are answered and you know exactly what you will be paying for.

1. What types of internet service are available in my area?

The main types of internet service are DSL, cable, satellite and fiber optic.

2. What speeds are available in my area? 

Most internet providers offer a range of speeds to accommodate the needs of all types of internet users and family sizes. Even if you determine your preferred internet plan before speaking to a salesperson, you should still ask about different plan options. Internet plans often vary based on location and there could be other options available that you aren’t aware of.

If you aren’t sure what speed is best for you, take our quiz to see what speed is best for your household’s needs.

3. How do I know what speed I need? 

Internet plans are designed to accommodate certain needs, so when you are asking about speed options, ask what each speed is best for.

• 20 to 40 Mbps for working from home and/or gaming for one to three users
• 100 Mbps for working from home and/or gaming for two to five users
• 500 Mbps and higher for a full house (five or more users) working from home, gaming, 4K streaming and using smart home devices

4. Are there data limits? If there are, what is the penalty for going over? 

Internet providers vary considerably in their data limit policies. Make sure you know how much data you get with each package and what happens if you go over that limit. Additionally, even if your prospective service provider advertises unlimited data, ask if there is the potential for your internet speed to ever be throttled.

5. Are there price increases? If so, by how much and when? 

Unless a provider specifically labels a plan as “price for life,” the advertised price is most likely a promotional price. Therefore, your bill will likely increase after 12 months.

6. Is there a contract?

Internet providers vary significantly in their contract policies. Some providers don’t require contracts, others require as long as a two-year contract and some give you an option to choose your contract length.

If a provider gives you an option for the contract length, the prices will likely differ based on which contract length you choose, with the longest contract offering the lowest price.

7. Are the advertised internet speeds guaranteed? 

Most providers do not guarantee the speeds they advertise, but you should ask what your prospective provider’s policy is just in case you run into problems with your speeds. Providers should be able to offer speeds at least within 80% of what is advertised, according to data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

To find out the speed of your current internet plan, take our speed test below.

8. What additional fees can I expect? 

Typical fees for internet service include:

• Monthly equipment fees (modem and router)
• One-time installation fee 
• One-time activation fee

9. Can I use my own equipment?

If you want to save money, purchasing your own modem and router separately is often more cost-efficient than renting from your internet provider. However, not all providers offer this option and some providers include the modem and router with select packages. 

10. Will I save money if I bundle my internet and TV service?

A few providers offer discounts for bundling internet and TV services. For example, Frontier offers bundles for internet and TV deals that can save you $5 to $10/mo.

If you are a Verizon mobile customer, you may be eligible to save $15/mo. on home internet offers from LTE Home, 5G and Fios. In this case, the 300 Mbps plan will cost $34.99/mo. rather than $49.99/mo., with AutoPay for new subscribers.

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