Living in the tech-savvy world of 2022, our lives are regulated by the Internet. Everything is done online, from connecting with your loved ones via WhatsApp and other social media platforms to talking to valuable customers all around the globe. In such a scenario, having a reliable and managed internet services is the need of the day. However, finding one is a pain in the neck due to the multitude of options available in the market. With hundreds of internet management services guaranteeing high download and upload speeds, it is pivotal to conduct thorough research beforehand to avoid unnecessary hassle.
Importance of managed internet services
Spending the last three years in pandemic, the Internet has proved its importance to the world. The Internet is one of the most incredible innovations of science controlling the world at its fingertips. Believe it or not, everything is dependent on the Internet, from education to jobs and socializing. With social media taking a toll on our lives, can anyone of us stay without scrolling down the Instagram feed for a day? Not really! We don’t think so.
In a broader aspect, a poorly managed internet service with slow download and upload speed and unreliable connectivity can cost your business a hefty loss in a few seconds. The problem leads to negative customer experience, delays in business dealings, and an exhaustive work environment. All these problems are solved with a reliable and managed internet service. In a nutshell, an internet management service should offer sufficient MBs and high download and upload speed with fast working Wi-Fi at reasonable rates. To name a few, here is a list of the best internet management services for your knowledge:
AT&T
Boasting a Forbes rating of 4.2 stars, AT&T is one of the most reliable connections when it comes to speed, highly responsive customer services, and outstanding user experience. AT&T offers both DSL and fiber and operates in over 21 states. It offers a 1000+ Mbps speed which is suitable for all domains. Whether an office, a home, or a gamers avenue, the high speed operates efficiently in all domains. There are a variety of plans with the lowest starting at a mere $35/month. Another plus point is the lack of annual contracts, which don’t bind you to use the service in case you don’t want to. It offers monthly plans which can be made and withdrawn at any moment.
T-Mobile Home Internet Service
With its competitive features, a newly launched T-Mobile home internet service has taken over the market in a short period. It depends on 4G LTE and a 5G LTE network. It was launched in 2021 and is already operating across 49 states in the United States. This doesn’t include Alaska. However, it is still confined to some areas where there is a lack of connectivity. In rural areas, the traditional DSL network is unavailable, so the brand uses cell service. A key point to be noticed is it doesn’t cost one arm and a leg when it comes to installation. The installation is completely free as the company sets in-home hardware by itself. Coming down to the plans, the lowest plan will cost you $50 a month.
Verizon
Yet another big name, “Verizon,” is known for its high upload and download speed. The network offers different plans, including the latest upgrade to 5G LTE, DSL, and Fiber. The network has spread to 10 states and 900 cities. The plans vary from area to area. The metropolitan areas are aided with multiple plans, while rural areas only get the traditional DSL—digital subscriber line. Currently, it has successfully launched its 5G ultra-wideband network. Moreover, it offers different plans to start with. The basic plan offers 300 Mbps, which can be upgraded to 940 Mbps. The most basic plan, which gives you a download capacity of 300 Mbps, costs $39.99 monthly, whereas the premuim plans go up to $89.99 monthly. However, these plans are not subject to an internet limit. Verizon offers unlimited Internet, irrespective of the package. However, it is not a good option for price-oriented users who can get by with slow internet speed. Verizon is all about high speed offered for a high price.
CenturyLink
CenturyLink is known to be one of the United States best internet service providers, with a Forbes rating of 4.1. The company is hyped for no data caps applied to users. It is a famous internet service provider already operating in the hands of 48.6 million people (approx). It provides both fiber service and DSL broadband coverage. Again, it is widely known for unlimited high-speed Internet with no specific restrictions for annual plans. It is currently operating in 36 states. However, monthly charges are quite high as compared to others. The basic and the lowest plan costs $50/month.
Google Fiber
Flaunting a Forbes rating of 4 stars, Google Fiber is another reliable internet network to get your hands on. The only drawback is the slow expansion of the network. It was launched in 2010, and up till now, it has been operating in only 15 states due to multiple lawsuits. Apart from that, Google fiber offers one of the best managed internet services, with download and upload speeds inflating to 1000 Mbps, which is visibly higher than other networks. Typically, internet networks provide a download and upload speed of 200 Mbps (Max). Google Fiber comes under the umbrella of high-paid services, with the lowest plan going up to $70 a month.
HughesNet is the only satellite-based internet service provider operating in 49 states in the US alone. Now, it has expanded to India, Brazil, and several parts of Europe. It offers virtual service anywhere, anytime. A little drawback is the reachability of the network. Since it operates from satellites, the network faces difficulty passing through tall buildings, large trees, and gigantic mountains. It is widely popular in rural areas where it is difficult to deploy cable and fiber net faces due to the lack of Infrastructure. Moreover, the installation is completely free for users, and there are no data caps. However, the basic package will cost you a hefty $59.99/month.
Windstream
Windstream is a DSL service provider specifically operating in the corporate sector. However, it is also good to use its broadband plan in the residential sector. It runs with a dish network but is slowly migrating toward a fiber network. However, it is not advertised for high upload and download speed as compared to other counterparts. The speed is relatively low. The coverage goes up to 50 states.
Which Internet Network is best for me? Or Internet Management Services
Once you know the best networks around you, the next step is determining which one works best for you. If you live in a metropolitan area, there will be a plethora of options, all claiming to be the best. However, rural areas have two to three services at maximum. Whatever the case is, even if there are only two networks in your area, research is important. You must inquire about the following factors to justify your choice.
DSL, Satellite, or Fiber
We all know there is DSL (Digital subscriber line), Satellite, and Fiber internet service. Before you choose one, it is important to know that a Fiber network works faster than a DSL and satellite. However, DSL and satellite are extensive in terms of availability. Hence, before you choose one, observe your need for internet speed and make a wise decision. Generally, it is best to go for fiber networks in the corporate sector, while DSL and satellite can work well for residential settings. Indeed, the corporate sector requires high upload and download speeds compared to the home internet.
Pricing
Another significant factor to consider is the monthly price. As per the latest survey, a reliable internet service will at least cost you $39.99 monthly on average. However, the average margin goes up to $59 a month, depending upon the download speed, which varies from network to network. Generally, a network costing you $39 a month will give you a download speed of 25 Mbps, whereas the $59 package will surely aid you with a better speed.
Speed
The speed comes under the price umbrella because the higher the speed, the bigger the plan. As a standard, the internet speed varies from 50 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps and over. It is highly important for one to analyze their existing internet speed before switching to a new network. This can be done by various online tools. However, if the person doesn’t have Internet and it’s his first time using it, it is suitable to go on with this general rule of thumb:
- A 50 to 100 Mbps connection allows 4K video streaming on two to three devices along with online gaming.
- A 100 to 500 Mbps connection will give you 4K streaming on four to five devices, multiplayer online gaming, and can be run on multiple devices.
- A 500 and 1,000 Mbps or higher will give you unlimited streaming with no slow download time.
It is generally advised to sign up for bigger plans for office work as compared to home internet. Hosting meetings on google and zoom and uploading files on the cloud requires high upload speed.
Customer Support
Last but not the least, a company providing reliable customer support is always the right choice. Always think of the worst scenarios and hope for the best. In case the server runs out of order in the middle of the night, who would come to your support? A customer support representative! Hence, always invest in a well managed internet services provider that offers quick and reliable customer support 24/7.
Final Verdict
Choosing the right internet service provider is always a challenging task. The market might overwhelm you with better options on every step. It is better to review the available options in light of your requirements to make the best decision.
