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<\/p>\nAre you getting the most from your internet service provider? Most of us couldn\u2019t imagine life without our internet connection and it\u2019s easy to stick with the same internet provider or plan without\u00a0realizing\u00a0your connection could be slowing you down or costing you more money than it needs to.<\/p>\n
Following a few simple steps could help you get a better connection or pay less for your internet service or even both.<\/p>\n
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Some internet service providers apply what they call a \u2018fair usage\u2019 policy which allows them to control the internet speeds of heavy users so that those who use lots of data get penalized by slower speeds, a process which is known as bandwidth throttling.<\/p>\n
Before signing up for a high-speed internet service provider check to see if they have a fair usage policy if you are a heavy data user, such as someone who downloads lots of movies<\/a> or online games, then it might be worth considering an alternative provider. If you don\u2019t download lots of movies or games and a just a regular internet user then bandwidth throttling won\u2019t be a problem (most providers that do throttle speeds only do so to the top 5% or less of data users).<\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to get tempted into signing up for a really fast internet connection, particularly if you are a gadget lover who always wants the latest and best technology<\/a>. If you download lots of movies and online games<\/a> then a faster connection would be beneficial and the extra speed can justify the extra expense.<\/p>\n However, for many people, an average speed connection of 4Mbs \u2013 10Mbs will be easily adequate and will be more than enough for watching online video clips on YouTube, emailing, downloading music<\/a>, and other regular internet activities. The same applies to data allowances<\/a>, there\u2019s no point paying for more data allowance than you need so work out what you need and pick a suitable plan.<\/p>\n Most internet service providers (ISPs), quote a maximum speed though this is rarely what you will achieve, this is particularly true of DSL providers since the further you live from the exchange providing your connection the slower the speed since speeds deteriorate as they travel along copper lines.<\/p>\n Fiber optic services however lose only a very small amount of their speed over distance so these could be a better option if you live a long way from the exchange supplying the connection. Again this is something you can check with the ISP before signing up with them.<\/p>\n If you signed up with your internet provider more than 2 years ago there\u2019s a good chance that for the same price, your provider now has a plan with higher speeds.<\/p>\n If you spot a better deal with your provider for the same price as your current plan (even more so if you are out of contract), then it\u2019s worth contacting them to see if they can upgrade you at no additional cost. Have you checked it was not a SIM cutter<\/a>, that is the cause.<\/p>\n2. Are you paying for more than you need?<\/h2>\n
3. Have you checked what speeds different ISPs deliver in your area?<\/h2>\n
4. Are you due an upgrade?<\/h2>\n
5. Could you save by bundling TV, Phone, and Internet?<\/h2>\n