How Do I Find the Best Internet in My Area Before I Move?

Before moving to a new area, you should first check which internet providers offer services there as well as what speeds and plans are available. All it takes is a quick google search for ‘best internet service in my area’ or ‘internet providers near me and you’ll save yourself from much heartache.

The world is seemingly returning to normal, but there’s no denying nothing is ever going to be the same again. Work from home and online school are trends that are sure to become integrated with office life and school life, and we might even be looking at a shorter workweek. The Ed-tech revolution is here to stay, and so is the “remote work revolution”.  So, you might as well adapt to the change and make the most of what times have to offer. How you ask?

Well, the first step in leveling the stakes is, without a doubt, ensuring you have a fast and reliable internet connection. Simply put, if you’re stuck in a remote corner of the city where the service is spotty, you will feel its effect. Your productivity will decrease and your mental well-being will be impacted. Thus, putting in the time to conduct in-depth research is necessary. With so much to do, however, not everybody has the time. Certainly not when you are ready to pack up and move! But that’s why we’re here, right?

To get you started, here is our guide. With this, you’ll hopefully be better able to judge which broadband internet service is the one for you.

Top Internet Providers: Service Type, Speed, Data & Prices  

Going to the deep end, we’ve done all the research so you don’t have to. We’ve collected key information and to make it easy for you, organized it into the table below. If you’re searching for the ‘best broadband internet in my area’, this should give you a good idea of what you’re working with.

Top Internet Providers: Coverage by State

Below we have listed the service states for the top providers mentioned earlier. Keep in mind, however, provider/offer availability varies by ZIP so to truly know if a provider offers services in your area, you will have to call relevant customer support.

“Which is the Best Internet Service in My Area?”

With more than one option available, you can easily make the wrong choice. And, if you end up signing an annual contract or a term agreement, there’s really no helping you. You’ll be stuck with the service for the next one or two years or face a hefty termination fee if you switch. To find the best plan for you then, you really need to give it thought and get your priorities right. Be realistic over what your internet usage is before you commit. To help you out, here are some things you should be mindful of:

Internet Type

The quality of service you receive depends heavily on the type of internet you get. The wires used to deliver the service make a huge difference so look into what type of internet is available in your area, and give its pros and cons a thought.

For example, if you get cable internet you’ll have to deal with slow speeds during peak hours, or if it’s DSL that you signed up for the distance from the service provider’s hub will turn out to be of utmost importance. Then again these are widely available service types so most likely the ones you’ll be subscribing to. If however, fiber internet is offered in your locality and you can afford it, get it ASAP. While for those living in remote or rural locations with little to no access to wired broadband, satellite internet maybe all that makes for a viable option.

We suggest you visit BuyTVInternetPhone and run your ZIP code through the smart search tool. Like so, if you’re looking for an answer to the question “which internet is available in my area”, you’ll get a list of all options available in the vicinity. For instance, AT&T Internet, CenturyLink Internet, Spectrum Internet, Cox Internet, HughesNet Internet, and more!

Internet Usage

Not everyone uses the internet to game online or stream multiple 4K movies at once. You maybe someone who needs the internet for light browsing, email, and to interact on social media. Or perhaps you require the internet to support work from home and online schooling, in addition to other standard online tasks such as banking and shopping online, and leisure activities such as light streaming and gaming. If that’s the case, paying for a top-speed internet plan may not be in your best interest. So, here’s a guide on the speed you need for various online activities. This should help you decide what internet speed you need. Just add them up for each individual in your home, and that should give you a good estimate of what you’re dealing with.

Data Cap

While some providers offer plans free of data caps, not all do. So, what do you do if a provider offers just the right plan that you’re having a tough time saying no to? Well, we suggest you figure out just how much data you need and see if the data limit allows for it.

If you’re into streaming HD movies, you can expect to use up to 3 GB per hour for each HD stream. So, if the plan you’re looking at has a low limit, it won’t really work out. But, as you must have noticed earlier most ISPs set the data limit around 1 TB. And, 1 TB or 1,000 GB allowance is more than enough for standard household usage. So if that’s what you’re looking at, go right ahead and subscribe. Providers like Mediacom, Cox, and Xfinity all offer a healthy data allowance so make sure to check out their plans if available in your neighborhood.

Look for Deals

Internet plans can get quite expensive even before you factor in the equipment fee and taxes, not to forget the one-time upfront pro installation cost. So, looking into deals is a must. More often than not, you can save every month and also get the benefit of a discounted or waived installation fee if you land yourself a promotional deal. So make sure to keep your eyes peeled for such offers. What’s more, bundling always saves cash so while you’re getting internet, sign up for a cable TV or a phone plan as well. Albeit, only if your home needs these services. As otherwise, it will be pretty pointless to bundle services you’re not likely to use.

Internet Service Types

Before you run a search for the internet in my area you should first look into what type of internet connection you want. It’ll save you a ton of hassle during the decision-making process.

Basically, there are four types of internet available in the U.S. residential market, each with its unique pros and cons. To help you decide which one may suit you the best, let’s take a closer look at what each has to offer.

DSL Internet

DSL internet is perhaps the most widely available service out there. This is because it uses the phone line to deliver the service and given how long we have been using landline phones, there’s a huge grid that you can depend on. The only thing you need to worry about is your distance from the service provider’s hub since the internet speed and quality of service you get depend on that.  

Cable Internet

Transmitted through coaxial lines, cable internet can be found everywhere where cable TV service is available. So, unless you’re located in a rural or remote area where coaxial TV lines have not reached over time, you’ll get reliable internet service via a cable service provider. The one drawback you’ll face is slow internet during peak hours as you’ll be sharing the bandwidth with every other user in the neighborhood who is connected to the same provider’s network.

Fiber Optic Internet

If you’re looking for truly fast service, you must sign up for pure fiber optic internet. One that gets you an FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) connection. Transmitted through light pulses via optical fibers, it offers the same download and upload speeds. What’s more, the available bandwidth is so ample you’ll never have to worry about it! Pretty great, right? Well, that is if you’re lucky enough to be located in an area where the service is available. Currently, fiber optic internet is offered in densely populated urban areas, and while the service area is expanding, there is a long way to go.

Satellite Internet

While most services need a costly terrestrial infrastructure to deliver internet, satellite internet makes use of communication satellites to provide access to the web. Free from wires, the service is literally available everywhere, even the remotest of locations. However, it can get expensive and if the weather is bad, you may also experience an outage. Another downside of satellite internet is its inherent latency, which is the highest among all internet service types, and makes it the least favorable for online gaming unless you limit yourself to lightweight games.

Final Words

So, there you go!

Make sure to follow the checklist and chances are you’ll be able to find the perfect internet plan for you. No matter where you’re located and what your budget is, rest assured if you’ve done your homework, you can land the right provider plan for your home. With over 20 providers showcased, you’ll have an abundance of choice, so visit BuyTVInternetPhone or speak to experts at 1-855-349-9328, and pinpoint the options available in your ZIP.

Frequently Asked Question

Which type of internet is the best?

If you can get your hands on a fiber internet connection, that’s great but given its limited availability, you’ll most likely have to settle for some other internet type. And, if you’re based in a remote or rural location with no access to a wireline service, satellite internet is the best option you have.

What happens when you cross the data cap?

If you’ve downloaded more than what the data limit allows you, you’ll either have to pay extra, suffer slow internet or be stuck without internet till the next billing period.

How to find cheaper plans?

If you’re looking for cheap internet deals, be sure to ask if installation charges can be waived off. Or, try bundling internet with cable TV and home phone if your home needs these services too. That’ll help you save some precious bucks.