If you’re the type who uses the internet a lot, you need to make sure you have enough speed for your needs. However, this can be a difficult task since internet speeds can be a bit confusing. The good news is, we’ve got all the information you need to know in one convenient place so you can pick the best internet. Whether you work from home, love to game or simply use the internet to stream videos every now and again, here are some tips for picking the best package for your needs.

Download and Upload Speed

The first thing you need to consider when you’re deciding on an internet package is the offered download and upload speeds vs. what you need. Internet speed requirements vary a lot based on what you’re trying to do, but you can find helpful guidelines to make choosing the right speed for your needs simple. The main idea is that you need to understand how much bandwidth is used for various tasks, then consider how many people you have sharing one internet connection and make your decision based on that. For example, Netflix recommends you have a 3 Mbps download speed if you want to stream one standard-detail show or movie. If you want to stream HD, you need 5 Mbps. For 2 HD streams on Netflix, you’ll need to have at least 10 Mbps in total.

If you’re the type who simply uses the internet for things like email and social media, you don’t need an incredibly fast connection. However, people who frequently download stuff, work from home or stream content to the internet need to make sure they’re getting enough speed.

Reliability

Aside from internet speeds, you need to make sure you’re putting your trust in a company that offers reliable internet. Reliability isn’t about speed, it’s about making sure you have access to the internet at all times. This can be a big ask because there are a lot of things that can affect internet connectivity, but the bottom line is you want an internet provider who quickly responds to issues to make sure you don’t have to worry about going without internet for a few days.

In terms of reliability, it’s also important to have a simple way to get in touch with your internet provider if something goes wrong. While some internet providers only offer assistance by phone, the best internet providers will allow you to get in touch with them via phone, email and chat. This ensures customers across the world can quickly let the ISP know when there’s a problem with connectivity.

A Little Extra

As important as it is to make sure you’re purchasing the right internet package in the first place, it’s also hugely important to make sure you’re doing things right on your end to take advantage of those speeds. Creating the perfect wireless network is a science that involves choosing the right modem and router. If one of these components isn’t quite up to par, you could be losing out on the internet speeds you’re paying for. In addition to this, many internet providers require that you have a certain type of modem if you don’t want to pay for a rental modem from your internet service provider.

If you care about convenience, choosing the right internet speed is a big deal. Fortunately, it’s not that hard to choose the right internet package as long as you know what your needs are. By following these tips, you can ensure your internet is fast enough to handle the whole family’s activities.