If you work from home, you know how hard it is to find a reliable internet service. There can be many instances of frustration when working online, but this guide will give you some tips for finding the best internet service provider (ISP) for your home office.
The Rise in the Number of People Working From Home
Traditionally, going to the office every working day was a norm. However, things have changed since the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, in a recent survey by Pew Research, 57% of respondents said they rarely or never worked from home before the pandemic.
There has been a massive increase in the number of people who work from home. This is an exciting trend because it is crucial not only for these individuals but also for the companies that hire them and the economy.
This type of work is so popular these days because it offers many advantages over other types of employment. For example, people have more freedom when they work from home than they would if they worked in an office or other setting. They can also save money on transportation costs because they don’t need to drive daily to work.
Due to such benefits, many employees want to continue working from home or in a hybrid setting. A Slack survey of 9,000 respondents worldwide concluded that 72% preferred a hybrid model, and 13% wanted to work from home full-time.
Importance of Reliable and Stable Internet Connection for Work From Home
It’s no secret that working from home can be a great thing. You don’t have to deal with the stress of commuting and you can work at optimal productive times. But if you’re planning on working from home, there are a few things to consider, the most important being a stable internet connection.
If your internet connection isn’t reliable, it can cause many problems for you,your coworkers and business as a whole. This is especially true if you are involved in client-facing meetings. Not only can it affect your productivity, but it can also prevent you from getting the most out of your work-from-home experience.
Recent research shows that a stable internet connection can increase productivity by 1.1%. This might seem super low, but when considered collectively, this 1.1% increase in productivity can result in output gains of around $160 billion annually.
Tips for Finding the Right Internet Service Provider
According to IBISWorld, there are 1,374 of them in the US. Hence, choosing the right one from them can be a challenging task. Here are some tips for narrowing down the list and finding the best internet service:
List Out All the Service Providers in Your Area
To find the best internet service provider, you must first understand what an ISP is. An ISP is a company that provides internet access through different types of services including cable, DSL, and satellite.
Here are some ways to find out what ISPs are available in your area:
- Call local companies directly and ask about their plans for pricing, speed, and customer service. Oftentimes you can even get a deal by calling.
- Check reviews to see what customers who have used their services before are saying.
- Search for ISPs using search engines.
Listing down local providers is vital because it impacts the bandwidth and latency. Choosing a service provider far from home will result in low bandwidth and high latency, leading to lag times and reduced speed.
If you keep traveling to multiple locations within the US, you must go for a service provider, like WOW, which has branches across various states. This will ensure you can stay with a single service provider and get the best services wherever you go. You can go with a service provider such as WOW to have the same internet experience across multiple locations you visit.
Identify Your Needs and Choose a Provider Accordingly
When looking at internet service providers, it’s essential to identify your needs and choose a provider accordingly. For example, a basic plan may suffice if you use the internet primarily for email and web browsing. However, if you run online businesses or are big into streaming video games, you might want something with faster speeds and more capacity.
Other factors can affect what type of plan is right for you. Whether or not there are data caps on their plans, how much they cost, etc., can all influence what type of services you need.
Costing Is Crucial
The cost of your internet service is just one piece of the puzzle. There are also fees associated with equipment, installation, and maintenance to consider. For example, if you go with a company that uses satellite technology for its home internet services and they require an antenna on your roof, which could be an additional expense.
Also, look at all costs associated with any contract length before signing up for something long-term. If other options are available in your area at lower rates or better deals than this company offers, those might also be worth considering.
According to an article on NerdWallet, the cost of internet service can widely vary based on the internet speed and other services. The average price of the most popular packages was $36.33 a month in 2022. If you go for the highest-speed internet packages, the average cost was $58.12 per month.
Read Reviews by Other Customers
If you’re looking for a new Internet service provider, one of the smartest things you can do is read through the reviews. The best way to find reviews is by searching online or asking friends and family who have used the service.
Conclusion
Finding the right internet service provider is essential if you’re looking for a way to work from home. There are many options available, and each one offers something different. You need to consider your needs and preferences before deciding which company will provide service at your home or office location.
