By Leonard Fergus
May 4, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
A reliable internet connection is essential for everything these days, be it work, school, entertainment, socializing, or staying connected with loved ones. With so many internet providers and plans available out there, it can be difficult for an average user to choose the right one. The right provider can make your online experience seamless and allow you to enjoy the internet hassle-free, while the wrong one can leave you frustrated and annoyed all the time.
So, if you are in a situation where you have to choose an internet provider, then you must consider these factors before choosing a provider, as these are the most important factors to judge how good or bad a provider is.
Fibre optic cable has improved the speed at which data runs through the internet – it will continue to get better and better
Internet Speed and Bandwidth
Internet speed is usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps) and it is a measure of how quickly the data can be downloaded or uploaded. The higher the Mbps or Gbps, the faster your internet connection is. While choosing an internet provider, make sure that you choose an internet speed that can handle most of your internet needs. Here is a quick breakdown of different internet speeds required for different activities:
- 10–25 Mbps: Suitable for basic browsing, email, and streaming in standard definition.
- 50–100 Mbps: Ideal for HD streaming, online gaming, and working from home.
- 200+ Mbps: Perfect for 4K streaming, large file downloads, and multiple devices.
You should look for an internet provider like Rogers that offers internet speeds that match your usage requirements. Don’t go for the cheapest plan, instead make sure that the plan you are choosing has enough speed and bandwidth to handle your internet needs.
Reliability and Uptime
There is nothing more frustrating and annoying than having an unreliable internet connection that experiences frequent disconnections, outages, and slowdowns, as these can disrupt your work, studies, and entertainment. Committing to an internet provider that provides a reliable internet connection with 99.99% uptime guarantee is what you should opt for.
Although every internet provider will promote itself by promising reliability and maximum uptime, you should check customer reviews and ratings on the internet to get better insights into how reliable an internet provider is.
Coverage and Availability
The price might be right – but the coverage your getting might be terrible.
Not all internet service providers provide their internet coverage in every area throughout the country. Although there are some internet providers, such as Bell, which provide coverage over a wide range of areas, most internet providers have limited internet coverage and you should check the coverage and availability in your area to ensure that the provider provides coverage in your area. Along with coverage, make sure to assess available internet connection types, as choosing a fiber internet connection is much better than sticking with a slower connection like DSL or satellite internet.
Pricing and Contracts
As an average internet consumer, you should be aware of the fact that many internet providers often advertise low promotional rates and increase the rates significantly once the initial promotional period is over. Before committing to any provider, make sure that you check the long-term costs. Along with this, also check for additional and hidden charges like installation fees, equipment rentals, early termination fees, etc.
Some internet providers may require you to sign a long-term contract with them, while others may offer flexibility and month-to-month plans. If you are not sure about a long-term commitment, then look for an internet provider that has more flexible terms.
Customer Service and Support
Service is often spotty – ask around and listen to what others customers tell you.
Good customer service and support are very important to assess how good an internet provider is because when something goes wrong, you want to have an internet provider with a proactive, responsive, and helpful customer support team that can resolve the issue. Poor customer service can turn a minor issue into a major one, and it is what you should try to avoid at all costs.
Look for feedback on the customer support of the internet providers that you have shortlisted. Pay special attention to how they handle complaints and resolve issues, and whether they have 24/7 support available or not.
Additional Features and Services
Lastly, you should not forget about additional features. Because of the increasing competition, internet service providers are offering additional features and services. Many providers offer bundles that include TV, phone, and mobile services that are usually cost-effective if you need multiple services. Make sure to assess for additional features and the equipment provided by the provider. If the provider is offering equipment of subpar quality, then consider investing in your own.
Additional services and bundles provided by internet providers are usually cost-effective, but ensure that you are not being overcharged before committing to a provider.
