Many people with less-than-perfect Internet service settle for what they have simply because they do not know there are easy ways to get better, cheaper service. If this sounds like you, you should take a moment to look over the following tips. Whether it is quality or cost that is bringing you down, these tips offer easy ideas that will have you well on your way to better, cheaper Internet service.
Choose the Right Internet Service Provider
All Internet providers are not created equal. It is for this reason that you must determine your Internet needs and do some shopping around if you want to find the right ISP for your individual situation. Before you can begin shopping around, you must determine what type of Internet service will best fit your wants and needs. If you are an avid web surfer or perform advanced tasks online, you will most likely need high-speed or wireless Internet service. If you happen to use the web only occasionally or for basic tasks, you can most likely get by with cheaper, dial-up service. Once you know what type of service you are in the market for, you can begin shopping around.
It may take a little time to find the right Internet service provider, especially if you live in a large, metropolitan area that offers many choices. In order to find the one that gives you better, cheaper service, you should begin by asking other people in your area who they recommend. If they are happy with the service and price of a certain provider, chances are they will be more than happy to let you know. You can also call providers in your area to find out if they are offering any specials or packages that could save you some money on Internet service. Once you have some ISPs in mind, take a minute to check online for any reviews that will help you make your decision.
Improve Your Service or Speed by Yourself
Although ISPs are the main factor in Internet service quality, they are not everything. There are also some simple things you can do at home that will improve the speed at which you surf the web. The number one thing you can do to get better service is to set up a properly secured wireless network. To do this, you will need to create strong passwords for your equipment and use the most powerful encryption available. If you are not using a secure connection, outsiders can easily gain access to your network. Because you are then sharing your connection with someone else, your speed can suffer immensely.
In addition to maintaining a secure wireless network, you can also install some items that will increase your browsing speeds. A wireless signal repeater works by boosting the signal that travels between your router and computer. All you have to do is place the repeater between the router and your computer and you will be able to enjoy faster speeds without the need for any additional wires.
You can also purchase a stronger antenna for your router which can greatly increase your service’s speed. Most routers come with an omnidirectional antenna installed, which means the signal gets broadcasted in a circular radius. If your router is in the center of all your wireless devices, this type of antenna is most likely okay. But if your router is not in the most perfect location, your speed can often suffer. A stronger, high-gain antenna can improve your signal, which means faster service. These stronger antennas not only strengthen the signal, but they also give you the ability to send the signal in any direction you please.
There are some quick tasks you can perform on your computer that may speed things up as well. Take the time to delete temporary Internet files, cookies, and browsing history on a regular basis and your browsing speed may improve. Also, watch for programs running in the background on your computer. Running programs use up memory and bandwidth, which can result in less-than-ideal speed.
Look for Cheaper Service Options
If cost is a major factor for your household, you will be glad to know there are various ways to get cheaper Internet service. One of these ways is to comparison shop until you find an ISP that fits into your budget. Take the time to call every ISP in your area and ask about plans and pricing. Although this may take some time, it is a good way to get cheaper service.
Another thing you can do to get cheaper Internet service is share service with a neighbor. As long as you and the neighbor know one another well, you should be able to share service with no problems at all since wireless signals are so strong. This will slash the price you would normally pay for service in half, which means big savings for the both of you. Just be sure to set up a secure wireless network so no one else can take advantage of the signal you are sharing. If you and your neighbor are close and prefer to have an Internet connection that is not wireless, you will simply have to decide whose home will house the connection.
Lastly, there are many ISPs that offer free or reduced-cost Internet service for those who need it. Although free service does not usually provide high-speed Internet, it can be a big help for some people. NetZero is one ISP that offers a free Internet plan. The plan comes with a restricted amount of time each month, and is great for people who don’t use the Internet much.
These are all great ways to get better, cheaper Internet service without going through too much trouble. Once you see how simple it can be to improve the quality and/or cost of your service, you will probably wonder why you did not take the time to perform these simple tasks earlier.
