Choosing the Best Internet Service Provider When Coronavirus Has You Working From Home

04/19/2020

At the time of writing, there are almost 200,000 cases of coronavirus in the world. It's more important now than ever to do your part in slowing the spread of the disease, which means you may have to take your work home with you.

Since much of the world is slowly transitioning to this anyway, it shouldn't be too difficult for you to do. But if you're new to this, you may be a bit lost in how to get set up properly.

If you're going to be working from home, then you're probably wondering about internet service providers available in your area that can give you quick and reliable service. In this article, we'll discuss the setup you need to work from home during these difficult times and provide you with some resources so you can make the best decision possible for your situation.

What You Need to Work From Home

Of course, you need an internet connection to work from home. But what many people fail to realize is you can't just climb into bed and work on your laptop.

Not only is this bad for your posture, but it's not very helpful to work in a space that's usually reserved for relaxing. Experts say you need to keep your bedroom somewhere reserved for sleeping and other leisure activities, as this will help with your sleep quality. Plus, your body is used to being laidback while in the bedroom, so you find yourself being not as productive as you can be.

To ensure you crank out just as much work as you do in the office, here are a few things you need.

An Ergonomic Desk

Remember how we said you shouldn't work slumped in your bed? You need an ergonomic desk that's designated as your workstation.

This includes an office chair that enables you to sit up straight at a proper distance from your screen. If you're using a PC instead of a laptop, you'll have to consider how comfortable your keyboard and mouse are as well. Think about connecting your laptop to a monitor and using a mouse and keyboard for better productivity.

A Stable Internet Connection

It isn't enough to just have an internet connection. The worst ones will cut in and out, which may interrupt important processes, such as saving your work in the cloud or uploading something to your work portal. Or if you're on a video call with a coworker or client, this may waste time, as you'll need to constantly call each other again when the connection inevitably drops.

When you have to constantly deal with these things, you can quickly fall behind in work. Not only does it cause a delay in things, but it can also cause you to feel frustrated, which can affect your motivation.

A Quick Internet Connection

In addition to having a stable internet connection, it also has to be quick. A slow connection can have you sitting around, waiting for processes to load and finish before you can move onto the next task.

A study found that people lose a whole working week every year as a direct result of slow internet. If you want to be as productive as possible, then you need to look at your internet service as an investment. Yes, you'll pay more for a stable and quick connection, but when you can work unhindered, that can be more than worth the price you pay.

Types of Internet Services Available

There are several types of internet services you can use, although some may not necessarily be available in your area. Of course, these will all come with their own pros and cons, so you need to weigh them up before settling on the best option.

Below, we'll discuss each type of internet service you can use, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

DSL

"DSL" stands for "digital subscriber line." This type of internet connection uses existing phone lines to get you on the internet, which means copper wires. While it was cutting-edge technology back in the 1990s when it first came out, DSL is now considered outdated and slow, especially when compared to other choices.

However, where DSL shines is its accessibility. Because the majority of areas (if not all) are already set up with telephone lines, there's not much additional work to get DSL. It's also very affordable, so if you're on a budget, this may be a good choice.

Do note that the connection speed will depend on where exactly you're located. So while someone in a city over might get lightning-fast speeds, that may not necessarily be the case for you. This will depend on how far you're located from a telephone exchange.

Also, if you're located somewhere where you get lots of storms, the quality of your internet connection may be compromised during those times. You may even completely lose your connection.

Cable

Cable internet also uses copper wires, but through coaxial cables. It's a step higher than DSL, so if you want something a bit quicker, then you might want to choose this option instead. However, it does have a smaller coverage area than DSL, so there's a small chance you may not be able to get cable in your area.

Like DSL, cable is pretty affordable. Plus, most buildings that already have cable TV capabilities are already set up for this type of internet. So if you're already getting cable TV, it's very simple to add cable internet on top.

One downside is if you have neighbors who also use cable, there can be some congestion at times. For instance, if you're all home after work and are watching Netflix, you might notice it takes longer to load each section and the quality may be compromised. So if you have lots of neighbors who you suspect may jump on the internet at the same time you're on, it may not be the best choice for you.

Fiber

As the name suggests, you get an internet connection through fiber optics. This is one of the best options around, if not the best.

Why? Because instead of using copper lines, it uses glass fibers to transmit data. As a result, fiber internet sends signals much quicker than copper wires do, so you get truly stunning speeds.

But for many people, they may experience a bottleneck. This is because your internet service provider (ISP) may connect the glass fibers to a traditional coaxial cable. 

Also, the main disadvantage of getting fiber internet is the cost. It's the most expensive option available, and for many customers, they only see a slight improvement to internet speeds when compared to, say, cable internet.

So unless you have lots of disposable income and do bandwidth-heavy tasks online, then you should consider the other options first.

Satellite

Unlike the other types on this list, satellite internet doesn't require you to be hooked up to cables or wires. This is because your home will get the internet signal from a satellite that bounces the connection from space to a satellite installed on your home.

This type of internet comes with a caveat; you may experience slower speeds. Plus, your connection may be interrupted if there's beam obstruction. And in some places, satellite internet can be more costly.

However, if you're located in a rural area, you may not have the luxury of choosing other options, such as DSL, cable, or fiber. In that case, satellite may be the only option. Otherwise, you may be stuck using your smartphone as a 4G hotspot (which isn't very great).

Things to Consider When You're Looking at Internet Service

Obviously, you'll be using the internet to work from home, so that's the most important bit. If your work is very data-intensive, then spending more money for more bandwidth is ideal. Otherwise, getting basic speeds should be enough to handle things like checking emails and writing out documents on Google Suite.

But what else will you be using the internet for? And more specifically, what will your family be using it for?

For instance, think about if you're on your own and just need to check emails and write on Google Docs. Now compare that with a household of 4 where the kids love playing video games and streaming videos all day long.

Also, think about whether you want connected or wireless internet. While going wireless is nice and allows for more freedom, it does also mean the quality of your connection is compromised a bit. Connecting through an ethernet can feel restricting, but it will provide your computer or laptop with solid and quick internet.

Some Great Internet Service Providers

Now you know what the common types of internet are. Next, you should take a look at the popular internet service providers and compare them to figure out which one's best for you.

CenturyLink

CenturyLink is an ISP that's been around since 1930. Obviously, they haven't been providing internet services since then, but they're an experienced telecommunications company.

They offer DSL and fiber, so if you're in an area where you don't have fiber access, you can still fall back on DSL. CenturyLink also has very affordable prices, so for most households, it can be a solid choice.

If you're not a fan of signing up for contracts, then you're in luck with CenturyLink. They have no contracts, which means you're free to switch ISPs whenever you want if you wish. Plus, they have a Price for Life guarantee, which locks in the prices you pay.

Viasat

Viasat is an ISP that offers satellite internet. While they've only just launched their satellite in 2017, they quick rose to the top of big-name ISPs. They're truly a lifesaver if you live somewhere rural, as you're probably not able to get options like DSL, cable, or fiber.

They offer some of the quickest speeds for satellite internet, and you can only expect that to only improve. They're planning on launching 3 more satellites in 2021, which will make them the world's first global ISP.

There are 6 sets of plans available and you must sign a 2-year contract. But if you want to break it early, you only have to pay $15 per each month left on the contract. You can also sign a no-contract plan, but then you have to pay an upfront equipment cost of $300 instead of leasing it.

Spectrum

Spectrum (or Charter Spectrum) first appeared on the scene in 2014, although Charter Communications was first founded in 1999. They provide just cable internet, so you don't have choices with this company.

They also only have 1 package, so it's either that or nothing. This can be useful for people who don't like to spend time comparing packages. On the other hand, it can be a disadvantage since you're stuck with just one plan.

However, this plan offers up to 100 Mbps, which means it should be more than enough for a household of 4.

HughesNet

HughesNet is part of Hughes Network System, which has been around since 1971. They've been offering their satellite internet services ever since 1996 and was first known as DirecPC.

If you want to get a simple internet plan that'll be cost-efficient, then HughesNet is it. They only offer 1 download speed of 25 Mbps and don't have mid-contract price adjustments. You can get anywhere from 10 Gb to 50 GB, but the most cost-efficient plans are 10 and 20 GB.

If you want anything quicker than that, you might want to consider Viasat instead. Do keep in mind that because they're both satellite services, they won't work well with VPN servers.

AT&T

If you want to go with a well-known telecommunications company, then try AT&T. They were first founded in 1983 and are one of the biggest brands people know.

Because they're such a big company, AT&T is able to offer different choices, such as DSL, cable, and fiber. They also have great coverage all throughout the country.

Upgrade Your Internet Today

Now you know what it takes to have an optimal work from home setup, as well as which types of internet are best for what you do. When you combine this with what you now know about the top internet providers, this can assist you in making a choice for your upgrade.

Always remember to shop around for options; taking some extra time to compare each service can make a world of difference. It can save you the time and trouble you need to spend to rectify the situation.

Do you want to switch internet service providers so you can get the best service possible as you work from home? Then take a look at our list now. You can search by zip code!

What to Look for in an Internet Service Provider When Working From Home

With Coronavirus changing the way we work and live, more and more employers have been allowing their employees to work remotely as it leads to improved efficiency among the workforce and prevents the spread of this crazy virus. Moreover, it enables them to attract top talent, reduce their operating costs, and offer better wages to their employees.

Working remotely also allows employees to cut down their traveling time and to work in the comfort of their home, enabling them to balance their personal and work life more effectively. Also, travel right now is a scary prospect so the more we can practice social distancing and still be productive and make money, the better.  

If you have the flexibility to work remotely, or given the current circumstances have just been granted the ability to work from home, it’s important that you have a solid internet connection to stay connected with your office and clients, and deliver your work in a timely manner.  Aside from having a solid internet connection, you also want to make sure that you have the speed and meet the requirements of your companies network.

Reliability

A disruptive or unreliable internet connection can hamper your productivity and cause difficulties while performing collaborative work.

Furthermore, if you’re working in a real-time environment, it’s critical that you always remain connected to your workplace’s servers to ensure that your progress is getting saved in the database. There is nothing worse than working on something for any period of time only to find out your were disconnected and your work was lost.  Moreover, you must make sure that you choose from the best internet packages to avoid packet loss. You can use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi to maintain a zero percent packet loss and maintain a better latency rate.  This of course is assuming your router is accessible with a cord and not buried deep in your closet like mine, which would make running a cable to my office nearly impossible.  Google mesh or a good wifi extender can be an easy fix if you need optimal speed but logistically can’t make a wired connection possible.  

Speed

The faster your internet connection, the better your productivity and performance. When working from home, you are likely to work with files that are large in size, quantity, or both. Thus, you’ll require a fast internet connection and transfer speeds to download the files and upload your finished project.  In today’s world most internet providers like AT&T internet , Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, CenturyLink  and various others entry packages usually have enough speed to handle most people’s download and upload needs.  

Furthermore, if you’re required to communicate with your team or clients via video calls, you’ll need a good connection quality to maintain effective correspondence. If you experience distortion in audio or poor video quality, you may consider choosing better packages from top internet service providers in your area.  AT&T for instance offers gigabit speed so you can get crystal clear video and sound while still accomplishing your other task online.  

Network Capacity

Working from home certainly has it’s challenges especially if you and your children are not able to attend work or school due to precautions being taken for prevention of the coronavirus spread.  That being said, you want to make sure that your internet service can handle several users at the same time.  For instance, as I am typing this article, my oldest son is streaming SpongeBob while my wife in on a video conference in another room.  We have a 300mbps package from Spectrum that allows us all to do what we have to do online without any one of our activities interruption connectivity of the other.  In order to make sure you have enough network capacity for your tasks, make sure you have a good wifi router ( I use Net Gears Nighthawk) and enough bandwidth to make everyone happy. 

Pricing

Ideally, you want a reliable internet connection without breaking the bank. Remember, the faster the internet connection, the costlier your internet package will be. Therefore, it’s important that you identify your internet needs to ensure that you choose an internet plan that fits your requirements.  Recent studies have shown that the average cost for an internet and television bundle is over $200.  With employers asking their employees to work from home, you should look into if your workplace is willing to supplement some of the cost.

Remember as stated above, if you’re dealing with bulky files such as high-resolution photos, videos, and other heavy files, you’ll need a sufficient amount of bandwidth to download them all. Additionally, if you have to video chat with your clients, you need a fast and stable internet connection to converse without it hindering your communication.

Thus, you should search for the best internet deals available in the market that offers value for money internet solution to meet your internet needs. 

Final Words

These are  some of the key aspects you must consider when beginning your telecommuting journey.

There are over 2700 internet service providers available across the United States, each offering various types of high-speed internet services at a range of speeds to both residential and business customers. Konecteaze.com helps you navigate the available internet service providers in your area and helps answer the question, “Who has the best internet deals?”, “Who has the best internet service?, and “Which internet providers are available in my area?”

At Konecteaze, our mission is to help you compare the top internet service providers in the US. We help you sort through every service provider in your area to help you feel confident that you are receiving the best internet deal while also getting the right service to help you work from home 

For more details, you can contact us at 888-376-0753 or visit our website

February 10, 2020

02/10/2020

Hey there Internet Explorers!  Here are some quick hits about what is going on in the world of broadband internet, satellite internet and internet service providers.

·      The Broadband Space Race is on:  

o   Last Thursday, February 6, 2020, a rocket was sent into space with the intent of changing up the landscape of what internet providers can offer from a speed and availability standpoint.  No its not AT&T, Comcast (Xfinity), Spectrum or some other big cable company trying to dominate the airwaves.  Instead, the rocket was equipped with several of hundreds of satellites to be deployed by OneWeb Satellite and SpaceX.  The goal of this and future launches is to cast a web of hundreds of satellites circling the globe aimed at giving high speed 5G internet access to each and every person on the planet.  Believe it or not, there are still rural parts of the United States that have very little access to high speed internet.  These folks have had to resort to satellite internet providers like HughesNet and Viasat to be able to provide them internet access.  Not to be outdone, HughesNet and Viasat are planning to harness the power of their existing network as well as new innovations to ensure they stay on top of the satellite internet game.  More on that to come in the near future…

·      Not as many people have Access to High Speed Internet as previously thought:

o   According to a PC Magazine article It looks like the FCC may have botched how it reported the number of Americans who have access to broadband high speed internet.  Believe it or not the article states over 42 million people don’t have internet fast enough to stream their favorite shows on Netflix. 

·      Rural Digital Opportunity Fund: 

o   Yaaay! Faster internet for all.  In January 2020, the FCC decided to allocate over 10 Billion in funding to help provide fast internet to the rest of the United States.   The Rural Digital Opportunity fund will create jobs, opportunity and most important of all the ability of all Americans to be able to binge watch their shows on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime.  

·      Down goes Spectrum:

o   Spectrum High Speed Internet television and phone service came to an abrupt halt over the weekend leaving many of their customers upset, frustrated and disconnected from the online world.  This affected areas of New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and various other cities and states on the North East Coast.  It seems as though bad weather was to blame.  I just hope those customers had their DVR’s filled or old DVD’s to help pass the time trapped in their homes.  

Before you start looking for the top internet service providers in your area, it’s important that you learn about your internet needs.

This will include an assessment of how much bandwidth you need on a monthly basis, how many members use the internet in your house, and several other factors.

It will also help you to understand your monthly bandwidth and internet speed requirements, allowing you to choose the right ISP to meet your internet needs.

Here are some tips to help you make a better, well-informed decision when choosing an ISP.

Location

Your location can play an important role when deciding which ISP you should opt for. There are some internet services which do not work well in specific regions—especially rural areas—of the country, which may lead to connectivity issues or slow internet speeds. Even the best internet deals won’t help you if you’re not getting a reliable internet connection due to your geographic location

Therefore, it’s recommended that you learn about the services of all the ISPs in your area by searching online or taking suggestions from your neighbors, family, and friends to ensure that you’re receiving high-quality internet services with minimum downtime.

Security

In light of recent data breaches, you must be aware of the importance of using a secured network so that your information cannot be accessed by hackers or third-parties. Top internet service providers value your privacy and make sure that your online activity remains private.

Thus, you should only opt for reputable internet service providers. Additionally, you can encrypt your wireless network to prevent your ISPs from monitoring your activity online. Though it’s not necessary, it can provide you with peace of mind.

Are you concerned about exceeding your internet service’s monthly data cap?

Most of us live our lives on the internet these days. We surf web pages on it, stream videos, and download games and movies. All of these activities consume a decent chunk of our monthly bandwidth, restricting your ability to use the internet.

Once you hit your data cap, your connection will be throttled, and you’ll either have to pay extra for more bandwidth or wait till the end of the month.

And while you might be unable to bypass the data cap set by your ISP, there are some ways that can help you avoid reaching your limit in the first place, allowing you to browse the internet without running out of data

 Tweak your browser settings to maximize data savings

You can change your browser’s settings to maximize data savings. There are several tutorials available on Google and YouTube that shows you how to save on data usage by making small tweaks.

You can also restrict the auto-loading option for videos or perhaps disable images if you’re really looking to minimize data consumption.

Use the Data Saver extension for Chrome

You can use Google’s “compression extension”, which—as the name suggests—compresses web pages before sending them to your browser. As a result, the page will consume less data, enabling you to save a decent amount of bandwidth until the end of the month.

Keep a tab on your downloads and streaming

Streaming your favorite shows every day can devour a considerable amount of data. Moreover, if you download heavy files, they consume large quantities of data, and may leave you throttled at the end of the month. Try to be mindful of how much you’re binge-watching Netflix.