Spectrum or AT&T – Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re trying to decide between home internet service providers like AT&T and Spectrum in the US, we can help.

| Posted by:

Category: Tips | No Comments


Spectrum or AT&T – Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re one of the millions of internet users and subscribers in the US, finding a home internet service provider or a connection for your workplace is probably something that concerns you. There are numerous brilliant ISPs in the US today that you could look into depending on where you are located.

Among the many ISPs operating in the US today, AT&T and Spectrum are two of the best reputed and sought after. If you’re someone trying to decide which of these two ISPs you should opt for, we can help!

Internet Service Specifics to Look Into

In order to determine which of these two service providers suits your needs better, we’re going to go over particulars regarding services offered by both. This should help you decide which of the two you feel would fulfill your personal requirements best.

Pricing

Though our budgets may vary, pricing is something that concerns all of us. Between Spectrum and AT&T, Spectrum offers better pricing and for the most part is more easily affordable. Though AT&T is pricier, it also offers you more package and speed options than the latter and is worthwhile if you can bear the extra expense.

Speed

Though AT&T offers you a lot more to choose from by way of devices and speed options, Spectrum offers a standard 100 MB/s speed which is more than adequate for regular home use. If however you have a lot of devices that need to be logged on simultaneously or speed requirements beyond the standard 100MB/s, AT&T will probably suit you better.

Bundles

Spectrum offers a reasonable channel count and even the opportunity to save a little if you opt for a silver or gold package. If you’re someone who needs more that 200 channels or is a sports fanatic who follows leagues like the NFL, AT&T once again, offers you a lot more.

Customer Care

Let’s face it. Even with the best internet service providers, customer care is always tricky business. That being said, it has been noted that the customer care and assistance provided by AT&T is a notch above that you would receive via Spectrum.

In a Nutshell

To make things very simple, if you’re happy with standard usage and are living alone or just with a partner, Spectrum can probably see to your internet requirements. On the flipside, if you have expectations and requirements from your ISP, maybe AT&T is the way to go. It will cost a bit more but will leave you wanting for nothing when it comes to your connection.

There are also other ISPs within the country that you could look into depending on where you’re located. Some examples include companies such as Rise Broadband, Wow Internet and Metronet. It may help to look into other ISPs in your area and choose accordingly. If you require help with this, our company is at your service!


How Fiber Optic Internet Works

Wondering if fiber optic internet is right for you? Use Konnect-Eaze to compare fiber-optic internet packages offered by internet service providers near you!

| Posted by:

Category: Tips | No Comments


How Fiber Optic Internet Works

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about fiber optic internet and how it is a must-have for everyone that spends hours online.

When it comes to speed and reliability, fiber optic internet surpasses both cable and DSL internet.  

Compared to other internet connections, fiber optic internet may be expensive but it’s definitely worth the cash!

Let’s take a closer look at how fiber optic internet works and why it’s become so popular:

Fiber Optic Internet, Explained

Fiber internet gets its name from the fiber optic cables it relied on. These cables transmit data between different devices using light.

You see, fiber optic cables carry light very efficiently over long distances without weakening its signal. Light signals communicate with your device using binary.

Differences between Cable, DSL and Fiber Internet

So what makes fiber internet so good?

Cable and DSL internet use copper cables to transfer data; these are same type of wires that relay your voice through a phone line.

Copper wires are simply not as efficient as fiber optic cables when transmitting light signals; since they are prone to distortion. The longer the wire, the greater the distortion; this means when your neighborhood is located far away from the ISP then you should expect interruptions with your connection.

The further you live from the ISP the poorer your internet speed becomes. Due to these technical problems, cable and DSL internet isn’t nearly as fast as fiber optic internet.

Is Fiber Internet Right For You?

We’ve established that fiber internet connections are fast but does anyone really need a 1,000 Mbps internet connection since streaming music and video content only requires 25 Mbps?

There are certain perks to installing fiber cable internet that are not available with cable and DSL internet.

For example, fiber optic internet offers symmetrical upload and download speeds so when you get a 200 Mbps fiber connection, your upload speed will also be the same. This is great for anyone that regularly downloads and uploads large files.

Types of Fiber Optic Internet

There are 3 main types of fiber optic internet connections.

Fiber to the premises or home (FTTP or FTTH):

The fiber-optic cables go straight to your house. The ISP may actually need to drill holes into your walls/floors and dig into the ground.

Fiber to the curb (FTTC):
This uses part fibers and part copper cables. The fiber-optic connection is put into the nearest utility box or pole as opposed to your curb. Coaxial cables are used to transmit signals from the roadside to your property.

Fiber to the node or neighborhood (FTTN):
This offers a connection to a large area of buildings that are located at a one-mile radius. Any remaining connection is filled in using a DSL line.

Think a fiber optic internet is right for you?

Use Konnect Eaze to compare fiber optic internet packages from internet service providers near you! Call 888-376-0753 for more information.


Why Do Data Caps Exist and How Can You Conquer Them?

Even the best high speed internet service providers in the US have data caps but we can help you overcome them! Read on.

| Posted by:

Category: Tips | No Comments


Why Do Data Caps Exist and How Can You Conquer Them?

Simply put, data caps are the ISP given limit to the amount of internet surfing and data usage you are entitled to for every month. Data caps can be quite the bother for many internet users and service subscribers between the US and in the rest of the world. They can cause complications with streaming, video calls and can even result in your service being temporarily suspended. On the other hand, from a business and functionality standpoint, these may be necessary.

We’re going to elaborate on why data caps exist and how you can work around them over the course of this blog.

Why Data Caps Exist in the First Place

Data caps in a sense are the ISPs way of monetizing the commodity they are offering, that being the data you use. Different ISPs offer different data limits and packages you can choose from. Data caps have also increased considerably over the years.

Despite this, there may still be times when we end up overusing the data allotted to us and find ourselves in tricky situations. The question is; what can one do about it?

Working Around Your Data Caps

If you’re looking for ways to work around your data caps and ensure that your usage does not exceed the prescribed limit per month, here are some things you can try out.

Data Tracking

One of the most effective ways to make sure you remain within data limit is to track the data you’re using on a daily basis. If your ISP does not offer data tracking options with their package, you can always download one of the many data tracking apps available online.

Tracking your data helps ensure that you stay within limit and that incase of data depletion, you’re alerted in advance thus preventing any unpleasant last minute surprises.

Browser Settings

Switching up your browser settings and filtering unnecessary content is extremely helpful. You have a lot of flash windows that open up when you log on to certain sites. Options like click-to-play can be great here as they restrict downloads of flash related data unless you request the same.

You can also look into downloading and activating ad blocking apps as automated ad windows also tend to suck up data.

Download Management

Downloading is an important function and relates to all kinds of processes. At the same time, downloading large amounts of data like movies, musical albums, games and other applications does take a considerable amount of data.

It helps to be careful and to track data usage when downloading. It also helps to scheduled downloading for late at night. The reason for this is some internet providers might be more lax when you’re not using services at peak hour. Do check in with your ISP before you do this though!

Winding Down

Following the steps above should help you manage whatever data plan and cap limit you’re on better. That being said, what would help even more is if you connect with an internet service provider in your region offering a data plan that is more suited to your needs!

Our company works closely with some of the best high speed internet providers across the US including AT&T, Rise Boradband and Wow Internet. We help clients across the US find ISPs that ideally suited to their needs and budgets via our online interface. If you need us, we’re happy to help! 


Viasat vs. HughesNet – The Ultimate Showdown of Satellite Internet Providers

Confused which satellite internet provider you should choose for your home or office internet needs? In this blog, we review the top satellite internet providers in the U.S.

| Posted by:

Category: Tips | No Comments


Viasat vs. HughesNet – The Ultimate Showdown of Satellite Internet Providers

When it comes to choosing a satellite internet provider, people in the U.S have two options (i.e., if you exclude DIRECTV):

·         Viasat

·         HughesNet

Wait, why exclude DIRECTV?

Those of you who don’t know, DIRECTV does not provide their own satellite internet services. Instead, it works with Viasat and HughesNet to offer bundle packages to customers.

So which one of Viasat and HughesNet is better?

Let’s compare them.

Speed

There is only one winner here, and that winner is Viasat.

Viasat recently updated its technology that allows it to offer speeds of up to 100 Mbps. In comparison, HughesNet offers a speed of 25 Mbps on all its packages.

Cost

In terms of pricing, HughesNet fairs better overall.

The company offers four packages. Its cheapest plan costs $59.99, while its most expensive plan costs $129.99.

On the other hand, the internet plans for Viasat start with $50 and go all the way up to $200.

Data

Here, once again, Viasat beats HughesNet by a clear margin.

All Viasat internet plans come with unlimited data. In contrast, the data limits for HughesNet vary from 10 GB up to 40 GB.

It’s worth mentioning here that although Viasat offers unlimited data, each Viasat internet plan comes with a defined data threshold.

How does this data threshold affect your internet use?

If you go over your data threshold, Viasat deprioritizes your internet activity. In other words, the company puts other users in front of the queue who haven’t exceeded their data threshold yet.

What this means is you can still use the internet; however, your data will have to wait a little bit longer before it can be transferred by the server.

Coverage

Since the launch of Viasat-2, Viasat has been able to expand its services to almost all areas of the U.S. More importantly, it has been able to provide fast (and consistent) internet to the rural population of the country.

In comparison, HughesNet also offers wide coverage, but the quality of its service varies from area to area.

To summarize…

Aside from pricing, Viasat beats HughesNet in every department and service area. The company offers faster internet speed, unlimited data and a more extensive coverage.

KonectEaze is your one-stop solution for all your internet service shopping needs. The website provides a complete list of ISPs operating in the U.S, along with the plans that they offer. This way, you can compare different internet service providersin your area and conveniently shop for the best internet deal for your home or office internet needs.


A List of Top Routers for Your Comcast Xfinity Connection

Shopping for a router for your Xfinity internet connection? This blog reviews the top 4 Xfinity routers that you can buy from the market

| Posted by:

Category: Tips | No Comments


A List of Top Routers for Your Comcast Xfinity Connection

When you are subscribing to Comcast Xfinity internet service, the company gives you the option to purchase the router from them. Most people don’t consider other options and just take the gear. While the company’s router does a solid job, it doesn’t really help them unleash the full potential of their Comcast Xfinity internet connection.

For what it’s worth, as an Xfinity subscriber, you aren’t bound to buy the router from the company. There are alternative routers available in the market that work quite well with an Xfinity internet connection. In fact, they work much better than the ones provided by the company.

In today’s post, we look at the top 4 routers you can pair with your Xfinity connection to maximize its speed.

NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900

First on our list is NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900.

The NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 is router and modem combined into one. It has four gigabit ethernet ports, provides fast speed and supports some really cool phone features. It also has a compact design, which means you can easily fit it into even the crampiest of spaces.

NETGEAR Nighthawk X10

Second on our list in NETGEAR Nighthawk X10.

The NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 is a wireless router. Equipped with 802.11ad wireless protocol, it delivers speeds of up to 7.2 Gbps. It has eight ports(seven gigabit ethernet ports and one fiber port) and comes packed with impressive features such as dynamic QoS and MU-MIMO support.

Linksys EA7500

Third on our list is Linksys EA 7500.

The Linksys EA 7500 is a wireless router. It offers speeds of up to 1.9 Gbps and has four gigabit ethernet ports and one USB 3.0 port. It features a stylish and sleek design and is arguably one of the best XFINITY routers available on the market.

Motorola MG7550

Last on our list is Motorola MG7550.

The Motorola MG7550 is a modem-router combo. It doesn’t offer the impressive features that other routers on this list do, however, it is one of the best budget routers that you can buy for your Comcast XFINITY internet connection. It delivers speeds of up to 686 Mbps.

So which router do you think would suit you best? Do you have any other routers in mind that you would like to suggest to your fellow XFINITY users? Let us know in the comments section below; we’d love to hear from you.

KonectEaze is your one-stop solution for all your internet service shopping needs. The website provides a complete list of ISPs operating in the U.S, along with the plans that they offer. This way, you can compare different internet service providers in your area and conveniently shop for the best internet deal for your home or office internet needs.