Internet Service Provider (ISP) which is also sometimes known as Retail Service Provider (RSP) plays a very important part in our daily life knowingly or unknowingly, as we all are hooked onto the cyber world for work, entertainment, pleasure and likewise. Also, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have become critical IT infrastructure partners in support of any company’s email, internet connectivity, commerce and overall business success. The choice of Internet Service Provider (ISP) can make a huge difference with speed, costs, and overall customer service/support. Hence, it is very important to make sure to consider the below-mentioned points before deciding which Internet Service Provider (ISP) to choose from a long list of options. Logic provides fibre optic connections in the Cayman Islands.
1. Types of Internet connections
When determining which type of Internet connection is right for you at home or at work, it’s important to understand the distinguished difference between each connection. In today’s age, there are numerous ways to connect laptops, desktops, mobile phones, gaming consoles, e-readers and tablets to the Internet. Depending upon your requirements below are some of the most widely used Internet connections.
- Dial-up connection: To get a dial-up connection, your computer will dial a phone number using your telephone line. Dial-up Connections are very slow as compared to Broadbands and are now considered outdated.
- Broadband connection: This high-speed Internet connection is provided through either cable or telephone companies. One of the fastest options available, Cayman Broadband Internet uses multiple data channels to send large quantities of information. The term broadband is shorthand for broad bandwidth.
- DSL connection: DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line and it uses existing 2-wire copper telephone line connected to one’s home so service is delivered at the same time as landline telephone service. Customers can still place calls while surfing the Internet. This is a type of Broadband connection only.
- Cable Connection: Cable Internet connection is a form of broadband access. Through the use of a cable modem, users can access the Internet over cable TV lines. Cable modems can provide extremely fast access to the Internet.
- Wireless connection: Radio frequency bands are used in place of telephone or cable networks. One of the greatest advantages of wireless Internet connections is the “always-on” connection that can be accessed from any location that falls within network coverage.
- Satellite: In certain areas where broadband connection is not yet offered, a satellite Internet option may be available. Similar to wireless access, satellite connection utilizes a modem.
- ISDN: ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) allows users to send data, voice and video content over digital telephone lines or standard telephone wires. The installation of an ISDN adapter is required at both ends of the transmission—on the part of the user as well as the Internet access provider.
2. Download and Upload speeds
Once you have chosen which kind of internet connection suits you the best, now you have to list down all the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in your locality and compare the most similar plans based on both download and upload speeds. The lowest internet speed 256Kbit/sec, according to a recent survey from software testing company Ookla, and the fastest Internet speed in the US is 85.5 megabits per second, in a tiny town called Ephrata in Washington state. It is important to know that the faster the connection, the more you are ought to download. Hence, choose the collect plan which suits your budget and needs.
3. Data usage per month
The next important thing to analyze, which is also in sync with the type of download and upload speed you opt for is the amount of data you consume per month. For a typical user 1Gb of data is sufficient enough, however if you have teenagers or there are a number of users accessing the internet daily, then this might not be sufficient. It would be better to opt for a capped plan with a limit of around 5Gb data minimum, with an option of extending it further post your approval and payment. Data usage does not come into account if it is an office connection, as one would choose the unlimited business grade packs only.
4. Up-time commitments
Of all the promises ISPs make, none is worth anything if the ISP doesn’t fulfill its uptime commitments. Uptime commitment is key. ISP downtime will impact your business from the first second the system fails. Look for service level agreements that provide real and measurable targets for up-time, not just 99.9% operational guarantees. All of the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will promise 99% up-time speed, make you check with people who are already using their services before finalizing one.
5. Technical & Customer Support during Downtime
The Customer Support service provided by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) is of one the most important factor in choosing the correct one. How quick and genuine they are in aiding you during the downtime or with any other technical issue. Factors such as how easy is it to get support? Does the provider offer phone, email or chat customer support? How painful or painless is the installation process? If a failure occurs, how quickly does the ISP commit to resolving the outage? Should be cleared beforehand. This plays a major role for business office connections since even a fraction of downtime can halt their workflow and affect their output too heavily. Hence, for business grade connections all these factors should be seriously considered before choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
6. Pricing (surprisingly comes last)
Yes! you’ve read it right, pricing aspect comes last as the above-mentioned factors are more important and only after going through the entire process of the above factors you will reach the final step of comparing the pricing of various Internet Service Providers (ISP). Uptime, capacity, service accessibility, and field response are much more critical, especially considering the importance of Internet circuits to businesses today. But price matters, too. When all else is equal — from uptime to performance, support, and equipment — price becomes the differentiating factor. When factoring price, however, be sure to compare apples to apples. Some ISPs require customers to purchase a modem or CSU/DSU while others lease this equipment. And some ISPs require multi-year contracts. Such lease and long-term arrangements may end up costing more in the long run, so compare costs carefully.
Make a list of all of your requirements and prioritize them. Then, compare those requirements with several ISPs that can meet those needs. Keep the list simple—don’t overwhelm yourself with too many choices and you’ll be sure to find the ISP that meets all of your unique requirements. All the best. Your feedback is appreciated.