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Internet is expensive. Whether you're setting up internet in your new place or ditching your old provider, finding the right internet feels daunting and excruciating. It's easier to settle for the most widely available internet in your area, but you might be surprised that you have a few options. Don't settle for slow speeds and high prices. We use the internet every day and it usually doesn't come cheap. With a little research, you can find the best internet speeds, deals and promotions for your household.
Read on for ten steps to finding an internet service provider that fits your budget and your needs.
Read more: Slow internet speeds? Your provider may be throttling your connection.
1. Evaluate your internet speed needs
The first place to start when evaluating your internet provider is thinking about what you currently use your internet for and how you'd like your connection to improve. Start with the number of users and devices connected to your network: do you have a gamer or two in the house? Do you or your roommate work from home? Do you have more than one smart device connected to the network?
For basic internet use like online shopping, browsing social media and light TV streaming, download speeds of 100 megabits per second are often suitable (and meet the Federal Communications Commission's new definition for broadband). I'd recommend faster internet speeds for working and learning from home, streaming in HD on multiple devices simultaneously and connecting numerous smart home devices such as security cameras, video doorbells and smart speakers.
Gigabit and multi-gig plans will all but guarantee you've got enough speed for every person and thing in your home, but those are often the highest-priced plans. If you don't want to splurge on gigabit service but still prefer something on the faster side, consider speeds in the 300 to 600Mbps range, assuming they're available in your area.
Pro tip: Advertised versus actual speeds. Keep in mind that advertised speeds and actual speeds are two different things. An ISP's advertised maximum speeds may be 100Mbps, but those are speeds to the home.
Actual speeds in the home are likely going to be lower, even more so when using a Wi-Fi connection and adding multiple devices to your network. Additionally, if you have an outdated router, you may not be getting the speeds you're paying for. When shopping for internet service, be sure to factor in that speed loss and select a plan with advertised speeds faster than what you'd like your actual speeds to be.
For an in-depth examination of how much speed your house might need, you can check out our internet speed guide.
2. Explore all of your ISP options
Available internet providers vary by location and possibly by address within the same ZIP code. Even if you aren't moving far, the available internet providers, and the technologies they use, could be different. Your options can understandably feel limited, so know that it's uncommon for one provider to be the absolute only ISP option in an area.
In markets where a cable internet provider such as Xfinity or Spectrum is available, there's also likely to be a fiber or DSL service available from providers like AT&T, CenturyLink or Frontier. Additionally, the recent rise of 5G home internet from T-Mobile and Verizon has further increased broadband competition in both rural and urban settings.
Serviceability check tools like the one you'll find a bit further up the page are a good way to identify the internet providers in your area and get an overview of potential plans and pricing. I can't speak for all serviceability tools, but CNET's version uses proprietary in-house technology to help ensure your results are accurate and keep your information secure.
3. Consider the connection type
Speed and cost are among the most important considerations when it comes to choosing an internet service, but you may want to start by comparing the internet connection type each provider uses.
There are some exceptions, but if we're ranking connection types in order of most to least desirable, I'd start with fiber-optic, cable, 5G home internet and keep DSL, fixed wireless and satellite as a last resort.
Fiber-optic internet is the best bet for fast, consistent speeds, low latency and greatest overall value. Service also comes with the advantage of symmetrical or close upload speeds. Cable internet is not far behind in terms of speed and value, and is often a good choice for cheap internet, especially since you can often get a cheap cable TV and internet bundle from some providers.
Meanwhile, 5G home internet is quickly proving to be a convenient alternative to cable and even fiber connections in select areas. The new technology could also provide much-needed upgrades to broadband in rural areas where less speedy or reliable DSL, fixed wireless and satellite internet services are often the only options.
4. Compare speeds, not just pricing
Here's where the bulk of your internet shopping takes place: comparing plans from each available provider.
It's tempting to look at the price first and speed second, but I'd suggest focusing on speeds first, then price. Opting for a cheaper plan that doesn't quite meet your household's speed demands, especially one that comes with a contract, may end up costing you more when you need to upgrade to a faster plan or provider anyway,
Look for plans with the speeds you want, or higher, then compare the prices among those options. Find the one that best fits your speed demands and your budget.
Pro tip: Price versus value. A low price is nice, but is it a good deal? To get an idea of a plan's value, consider the cost per Mbps by dividing the cost by the advertised speed. For example, Xfinity's cheapest plan is available for as low as $20 a month for speeds up to 150Mbps -- that's a cost of around 13 cents per Mbps. Not bad, but one of Frontier Fiber's cheapest plans costs $45 a month, almost twice that of Xfinity's cheapest plan. Frontier's plan comes with speeds up to 500Mbps for a cost per Mbps of just 9 cents. Although Xfinity's plan is cheaper, Frontier is the better deal.
5. Beware of set price increases
So you've identified potential providers and plans. Let's take a closer look at the monthly cost. Will it be the same a year down the road? Or is there a steep price increase and hidden fees waiting for you?
Again, I know that low pricing can be tempting, but a cheap plan can lose its value entirely from one bill to the next when the price goes up by 50% or more. Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox and others have competitive introductory pricing but a looming hike of $20, $30 or more after 12 months.
Carefully examine the FCC-mandated broadband labels for each plan. Check for hidden infrastructure fees or equipment fees you could bypass by buying your own equipment. The good news is that providers have to be fairly transparent about price increases as far as when you can expect them and how much they'll inflate your bill. Additionally, many providers don't require a contract, so if the price hike is too steep, you can cancel without penalty.
Not all providers have a planned price increase. AT&T, Frontier, Verizon Fios and a handful of others, including EarthLink, don't have promotional or introductory pricing, so you won't have to worry about a guaranteed price increase. Your bill may still go up at some point, which understandably happens, but it won't go up as drastically or quickly.
6. Know your (data) limits
Some ISPs enforce data caps and will charge extra fees or throttle internet speeds when you go over. Be aware of the data cap, if any, before signing up for an internet service.
Those considering satellite internet will have to be the most mindful of data caps and usage. Although none of the major satellite internet providers impose overage fees for data used, unless you upgrade to an unlimited data plan, your speeds will significantly slow after going over your priority data allotment.
Data caps are less of a problem with every other connection type, but they're still there. Fixed wireless internet like what you may find from AT&T or Rise Broadband in rural areas often comes with a data cap of 250 to 350GB. Select cable and DSL providers also have data caps, although typically much higher, between 1 and 1.5TB per month.
That's a generous amount of data and much higher than the average household will use, but still, a plan with unlimited data is preferred. You don't want to have to watch your data usage all month, and you certainly wouldn't want to suffer slowed speeds or added fees for going over.
7. Weigh all Wi-Fi options in your new home
You'll need a router to create a home Wi-Fi network. Most, if not all, ISPs offer a router either for rent, to purchase or for free.
If you plan on renting your equipment, take a look at what the rental fee is ahead of time, then go ahead and tack that onto the monthly price. Some rental fees are better than others, but anticipate it to add anywhere from $5 to $20 extra to your bill. In some cases, that means an appealing $20 rate may jump up to $35 or even $40 after equipment costs, so make sure you take a look at the fine print before securing a promotional internet rate.
Many providers have started including your equipment at no extra cost. AT&T, Verizon Fios, Google Fiber and 5G home internet providers T-Mobile and Verizon, for example, have no added equipment fees. Others, like Spectrum, CenturyLink and Xfinity, may include either a free modem (but not the router needed for Wi-Fi) or all of your equipment at no extra cost with select plans.
You may also have the option of using your own router and skipping the equipment fee altogether. CNET's Joe Supan saved close to $1,000 in yearly fees by deciding to by his own router, for example. Although the upfront costs may be high, including the potential optimizations like mesh Wi-Fi, supplying your own may pay off in a year or two if you can save $15 per month in equipment fees.
The option to purchase your router is a little less common, but you may come across it with satellite internet or prepaid internet services. This can add to your upfront costs, especially in the case of satellite internet, but you may save money in the long run.
8. Take note of any contract requirements
Your internet provider may lock you into a contract, sometimes disguised as a "term agreement." Breaking your contract by canceling service or failing to pay your bill before the term is up could result in early termination fees and problems if you want to sign up for service again in the future.
Some providers require a contract, typically of one or two years, with all plans and services. Others may require a one-year contract to qualify for the lowest introductory rate or special offers. Most ISPs require no contract at all.
Term agreements aren't much of an issue if you plan on keeping the service for the length of the contract, but if you think you may move or want to switch providers at some point, it's nice to know you can do so without penalty.
Also note that if you decide to switch providers and you rented equipment from a previous provider, you return your equipment within the designated timeframe to avoid any other fees (often up to $300).
9. Consider customer satisfaction
It's no secret that most of us aren't particularly fond of our internet provider. Customer satisfaction ratings, such as those from sources like the ACSI and J.D. Power, shed some light on which providers fare better than others and why.
In most cases, customer satisfaction numbers will fall somewhere in the middle of the road and not indicate much one way or the other. In others -- like Optimum's consistently low customer satisfaction score, Frontier's improving numbers or Verizon's consistently high marks -- may be a bit more telling.
Do a little social research. Ask neighbors and friends who they have and why, what they like and don't like. Check out Reddit, downdetector.com and other media sources for further insight. Take the feedback for what it's worth, but don't believe everything you hear or read.
10. Look for promotional offers for new customers
There's a reason I'm mentioning this tip last. Signup bonuses, much like low introductory rates, are tempting, but they're never incentive enough to commit to an ISP or plan that isn't the right fit for your needs.
Gift cards, free months of internet service or streaming subscriptions eventually expire or lose their value. When that happens, you don't want to be stuck with an expensive plan that is faster than you need or a cheap ISP that doesn't deliver the speeds you want. Additionally, you may have to sign a term agreement when accepting promotional offers to prevent you from canceling as soon as you get the reward.
Still, promotional offers like Verizon's streaming bundles, which are only a $10 add-on for the likes of Disney Plus, may be worth investigating.
Finding good internet service is worth the effort
There can be a lot to consider when signing up for an internet service. Along with the cost and speeds, be sure to evaluate the fine print -- price increases, data caps, equipment fees and contract requirements -- so you know what to expect when you get the bill each month.
It can be overwhelming, but ultimately, your research and knowledge of the internet provider you settle for will pay off in the long run.