But first things first:

What is a router and modem, and why do you need them for your home internet connection?

Router and Modem

Router and modem are pieces of hardware that make your home WiFi network work.

·         The router broadcasts the internet signals around your house as WiFi and is connected to the modem via an ethernet cable

·         The modem connects the router and all your other home internet devices to the internet

When you install a broadband at your home, your internet service provider (ISP) will ask you if you’d want to rent the router and modem from them.

Should you choose to rent the router and equipment from your internet service provider, you’ll have to pay them a rental fee every month.

Alternatively, you can purchase your own router and modem from the market and integrate them into your home internet connection.

But what should you? Should you rent or buy a router and modem?

Renting vs Buying a Router and Modem

Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages and disadvantages of renting a router and modem

The advantages of renting a router and modem are:

·         Free technical hardware support from the ISP

·         Hassle-free installation of hardware (the ISP will setup the router and modem for you)

·         Free replacement of outdated hardware

The disadvantages of renting a router and modem are:

·         More expensive option in the long run (no wonder, renting modems and routers is a major revenue stream for internet service providers)

·         ISPs may not always provide the best quality hardware

·         Hardware rental prices are subject to change

Advantages and disadvantages of buying a router and modem

The advantages of buying a router and modem:

·         Saves you money in the long run

·         Choice of higher-quality hardware

The disadvantages of buying a router and modem:

·         Higher upfront cost

·         No technical hardware support from the ISP

·         Manual installation of hardware

Which is the Better Option for You?

As you can see, there’s no one option that’s superior in all aspects.

Renting the hardware saves you time and installation inconvenience. On the other hand, buying the hardware saves you money in the long term and offers you the option of resourcing the best quality equipment for your home internet setup.

Ultimately, it all comes down to what you prefer.

An important point to remember: If you choose to buy a modem and router, make sure that they’re compatible with the requirements of your ISP. Not all modems and routers work with all broadband setups.

Looking for a reliable internet service provider in your area?

KonectEaze can help you!

We’re a leading online marketplace for home and office internet service shopping needs, resourcing up-to-date data of the top internet service providers in the country. Using our website, you can compare different internet providers in your area and shop for the best internet plans for your home or office.

Start your internet service shopping today with KonectEaze.  

You’re streaming your favorite TV show online on your computer. Everything is going great; no buffering. But then your internet suddenly starts acting wonky. First the spinning wheel, and then before you know it:

Disconnected internet; no home internet connectivity.

You refresh the page, hoping it might fix the issue, but nothing happens.

What to do now?

Should you call your internet service provider?

Definitely… but wait, not just yet!

The problem could very well be at your end. Most likely, that’s what your ISP will also ask you to check first.

So why even waste your time in a call queue?

A better approach would be to identify where the “real” problem lies. If it isn’t at your end, you can then go ahead and call your provider.

Aye, we know you’re no computer expert, but take our word, you can do it. We’ll help you do it; the easy way, step by step.

Step 1: Reboot everything

Okay, start with rebooting your modem and router. Often rebooting the internet peripherals solves the problem.

·         Unplug your modem and router. Wait for 60 seconds. Re-plug them.

Step 2: Check the connections

If your laptop/desktop is connected to the router via ethernet cable, ensure that the cable is sitting properly inside the port. For a wireless network, check that the wireless switch on your laptop is in the “On” position.

Step 3: Uninstall and reinstall adapter driver

Sometimes, the issue can be a corrupted adapter driver. Try uninstalling and reinstalling it to see if that fixes the issue.

·         Open the Control Panel. Double-click on Device Manager. Select Network Adapters. Uninstall the driver and then reinstall it again.

Step 4: Run the Network Troubleshooter

Next, run the Network Troubleshooter. It’s an automatic network troubleshooting wizard programmed into windows. 

·         Open the Control Panel. Double-click on Network and Sharing Center. Select Troubleshoot Problems. Follow the instructions.

Step 5: Ping the Adapter

In “Step 3” we checked that if the adapter driver was working fine. But what if the problem is the adapter itself and not the driver? What if your adapter has suddenly stopped working?

To test whether your adapter is functioning properly, you’ll have to “ping” it.

·         Click on the Windows Start button. Type “cmd” in the Search Box. A command line should appear.

·         In the command line (window), type “ping localhost”.

Executing the command should return you a reply from your adapter. If your adapter doesn’t respond, the problem is in your adapter; you need to replace it. If it replies, proceed to the next step.

Step 6: Test if your router is functioning properly

It could be that your router isn’t functioning properly, failing to generate a valid IP address. To make sure everything is in order, ping your router.

·         Open the command line. Type “ipconfig” and hit Enter. 

The Default Gateway should read as: 192.XXX.X.X.

If it starts with “169” or any other number, the problem is in your router.

Step 7: Ping the destination host

This is the final step in your diagnosis process. In this step, you’ll ping your destination host. It’lltest whether anything is wrong with your browser.

·         In the command line, type “ping” followed by any website address of your choice.This website will be your destination host. If your browser is working fine, you’ll receive a reply from your destination host.

No issues whatsoever?

Call your internet service provider

If your system managed to pass all these tests successfully, then the problem most certainly lies with your internet service provider. Call and ask them to fix it.

No internet connectivity – a persistent problem!

If you’re regularly facing internet issues with your internet service provider, we’d suggest you switch to a new service provider.

At KonectEaze, you can conveniently shop for an internet service provider. Simply enter your zip code into our portal, and we’ll return you with the complete list of internet providers operating in your area. You can then compare them and find the best internet deal for your home or office.

So start your internet service shopping today!

Are you shopping for an internet service provider for your home but not quite sure where (and how) to start?

If so, then you’ve come to the right place!

This guide will walk you through each and every step of the internet service shopping process to help you choose the best internet provider for your home.

Choosing the Best Home Internet Service Provider

Different Types of Internet Services

Let’s start with understanding the different types of internet services available in the market today.

There are “mainly” four types of internet services currently offered by internet providers in the U.S:

·         DSL

·         Cable

·         Fiber

·         Satellite

Make note that not all of the above-listed services are available in all parts of the country—satellite internet being an exception.

DSL internet uses regular telephone lines to deliver high speed internet to homes and offices and is currently the cheapest internet technology on the market. The disadvantage of DSL internet service is that its speed and quality vary with distance; the further away you’re from your provider’s central office, the slower and less reliable your internet connection.

Cable internet uses coaxial cable TV wires to deliver high speed internet to homes and offices. It’s slightly more expensive than DSL internet, but is also significantly faster and more reliable. Some cable internet service providers, such as Xfinity, provide internet connections with speeds to up to 2Gbps. The disadvantage of cable internet is that it has a limited bandwidth.

Fiber internet is the gold standard in the world of broadband and uses fiber-optic lines to deliver high speed internet to homes and offices. It offers the highest internet speed compared to all other internet connections. However, it’s only available in limited areas of the country.

Satellite internet uses a combination of satellite and satellite dish to deliver high speed internet to homes and offices. It can be deployed anywhere, making it an ideal service option for rural areas where DSL, cable or fiber internet services may not be available. That said, it’s also the slowest and most expensive internet service out there.

It’s very important to identify the type of internet connection you want to get for your home. For that, you must first know the types of internet services available in your area.

To find out what type of internet services are available in your area, contact our team at KonectEaze.

Internet-Only Plan or a Bundle

Once you’ve made the decision about the type of internet service you want for your home, the next thing you need to decide is the type of internet plan you want to purchase for your home.

There are two options that you can choose from:

·         Internet-only plan

·         Bundle plan

Internet-only plans are internet standalone plans. They focus on providing customers with internet service only.

Bundle plans are a combination of two or more services. They include internet service, cable TV service, home security service, home automation service, email management service etc.

Go for an internet plan that best suits your needs.

Comparing Internet Service Providers

Okay, so you’ve decided what type of internet service and plan you want to buy for your home.

Next, you need to find and compare the internet service providers in your area that offer your preferred service type and plan.

To do that, simply go on this page, enter your zip code and compare the different internet service providers from the list.

While comparing, pay attention to:

·         Cost of service

·         Connection speed

·         Data caps

·         Customer service

·         Reliability

·         Terms of service

Your goal should be to choose an internet service provider that offers cost effective services, fast internet connection, large data cap, around the clock customer support, high uptime and convenient service terms.

Make your pick, order your connection and enjoy the best internet service for your home.

We hope you found this guide helpful.

A BONUS offer: Find the best internet deals in your area!

Living in the countryside definitely has its benefits; low crime rates, clean air, fewer regulations, more privacy and freedom. However, with these benefits comes a clear disadvantage: very few internet options.

In the United States, people living in rural areas and small towns have only two main internet services available to them:

·         DSL internet

·         Satellite internet

Which one is best for you? Let’s find out.

DSL Internet

DSL is a broadband technology that delivers internet services through copper telephone lines. It provides internet coverage to both urban and rural areas. However, in rural areas,its speed tends to be relatively slower.

The slower speed of DSL in rural areas can be attributed to the technology’s sensitivity to long-distance connections.

Often, in rural areas, access points are located farther away from homes and local offices, which makes DSL internet slower. In some cases, depending on the location of the user, the speed of the internet connection can even decrease to 1–5 Mbps.

ISPs that provide DSL internet connection in rural areas include: HughesNet, CenturyLink, Verizon, AT&T, and others.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet relies on a physical dish installed on a consumer’s property to receive data from a satellite in space. The biggest advantage of the technology is that it delivers the same speed to all users, wherever they might be located.

That being said, users may sometimes experience intermittent service interruptions when using satellite internet during inclement weather.

It’s worth notingthat satellite internet is more expensive than DSL, both in terms of setup cost and monthly plans.

ISPs that provide satellite internet connection in rural areas include: DirecTV, Dish, Viasat, Hughesnet, and Big Bend Telephone Company (only in Texas).

DSL or Satellite?

From the above discussion, it’s clear to see that DSL trumps satellite internet connection in terms of affordability, while the latter has distinct superiority in coverage and service uniformity.

However, there are some other differences as well between DSL and satellite that are worth keeping in consideration:

·         First, a satellite internet connection usually comes with higher minimum contract terms than a DSL internet connection

·         Second, unlike a DSL internet service contract, a satellite internet service contract usually has ETF.

·         Third,a satellite internet connection offers faster internet speed than a DSL internet connection (although, this isn’t always necessary)

·         Fourth, a satellite internet connection has much more limited bandwidth and data cap compared to a DSL internet connection

Considering everything, DSL internet connection is better than satellite internet connection in most aspects. But if you live in an area where DSL connection is “extremely”slow and not fast enough to meet your internet needs, a satellite internet connection could be a better option.

KonectEaze has a complete list of top rural internet providers sorted by zip code to help you conveniently shop for the best internet plan for your countryside home, farm or office. View our database here.

But first things first:

Why a contract cable internet?

A contract cable internet service is much cheaper than a no contract cable internet service, provided you fulfill the contract terms.

Basically, when you agree to a service contract, the internet service provider offers you an incentivized deal in exchange of your long-term commitment to their company.

Moreover, contract cable internet usually comes with a fixed price. This means, you don’t have to worry about service prices raising suddenly and unexpectedly, something which ISPs are notoriously known to do for monthly internet plans.

But where contract cable internet has its advantages, it also has one major disadvantage.

The bad of contract cable internet

The one and only disadvantage of a contract cable internet service is:

You can’t break up your contract without paying an early termination fee (ETF).

Most cable internet contracts are offered and signed on a 24-month term period. Should you choose to end the contract before that, whatever the reason may be, you’ll have to pay a penalty to your internet service provider.

How much can you expect to pay in early termination fee?

There isn’t any fixed amount; the ETF clause varies from provider to provider. The fee is usually calculated as the sum of the service fee for every month remaining in the contract.

What if you don’t pay the fee and still break the contract?

In that case your internet provider has the right by law to file a lawsuit against you.

The takeaway from all this?

If you’re planning to live at your current address for a foreseeable future, then a contract cable internet might be the right option for you. However, if you’re a tenant or have moving plans, then a contract internet service is a “definite” no-go for you; instead, you should look for a monthly internet package.

A small brief about cable internet contract fees

A cable internet contract has the following main fee components:

·         Installation fee

·         Equipment leasing fee

·         Phone and TV service fee (if you’ve bought a bundle)

·         Service fee

You can waive off the equipment leasing fee by purchasing the equipment on your own. If you have leased the equipment, make sure to return it back to your internet service provider after the contract has ended.

Looking for the best contract cable internet service provider in your area?

KonectEaze can help you!

We’re a leading online marketplace for home and office internet service shopping needs, resourcing up-to-date data of the top internet service providers in the country. Using our website, you can compare different internet providers in your area and shop for the best internet plans for your home or office.

Start your cable internet service shopping today with KonectEaze.