As surprising as it may seem, having fast, reliable access to the Internet can actually increase the value of a home. In fact, recent studies have found that buyers will pay up to 5% more for houses that have excellent Internet connectivity.
These days, Internet access is every bit as important for most people as other essential utilities such as electricity and water. That is why it is so important to check out which broadband Internet companies provide service in the area when you are deciding whether or not to buy a particular home.
Try using these tips to get the best broadband Internet for your home:
1. Find out what services are available in the area.
The speed of the Internet at your new home will depend on the existing infrastructure in the neighborhood. Some neighborhoods still rely on older technology, meaning that you may be limited in terms of the Internet speeds that you can obtain. Others, however, have infrastructure that includes cable Internet or high-tech fiber-optic cabling.
Explore all of the companies that offer services in the area. Find out what speeds you could expect from their service. Ideally, you should look for a company that provides fiber-optic Internet since this type of connection provides the fastest speeds.
You can also visit various websites online to search for Internet service providers in your area. These sites will allow you to compare the available packages in your area so that you can see which providers offer the fastest Internet speeds.
2. Think about changing to a new service provider.
If you already have high-speed Internet at your home, you may want to think about switching over to a different provider. Don’t forget to use a broadband comparison tool first though. Although you may not be able to get a significantly faster Internet connection from another company, you may be able to save money. Most broadband providers offer introductory rates that are good for the first year or so of service.
Before you decide to do this, however, read the contract that you have with your current provider carefully. That way, you won’t wind up having to pay a fee for cancelling your account before your contract is up.
In some cases, you may be able to lower your monthly rate simply by threatening to cancel your subscription. If you call in to cancel your Internet connection, you will most likely be transferred to a specialist who has permission to give you a better deal in order to try to convince you to stay.
3. Bundle your services.
One of the easiest ways to save is by buying your phone plan, television subscription, and Internet plan from the same company. By bundling them all together, you can often get a much lower rate.
Along with discounted prices, companies may offer other incentives to try to get you to sign up for multiple services. For instance, some companies offer access to free Wi-Fi while others give their customers the ability to watch shows on demand.
There are a lot of great packages out there if you are willing to shop around. Opting to bundle your TV, phone, and Internet service can wind up saving you a ton of money in the long run.
4. Make sure slow Internet speeds aren’t caused by outdated wiring.
If you are struggling to get the speed that you need out of your Internet connection, it could be a problem with your home’s wiring.
Outdated equipment may not be able to handle today’s high-speed Internet connections. Upgrading your home’s wiring can go a long way toward making sure that you can take advantage of the speeds that are currently available.
Although these types of home improvement projects can be a little bit costly, it is generally a good investment. Not only can it give you better access to the Internet but it can also increase the resale value of your home.
5. What type of router is best?
From the standpoint of setting up your Internet connection, it is far easier to go with a wireless router. The only downside is that you may not be able to get a strong signal, depending on the materials that your home is built from.
If you are having trouble getting a signal with a wireless router, you can try a variety of different techniques to improve your signal. For instance, powerline network adapters are easy-to-use adapters that rely on your power lines to send a signal. All that you have to do is plug them into an electrical outlet that is on the same circuit as your router. This enables you to get a strong Internet signal in any room of your home.
There are also products on the market that are designed to boost the strength of the signal coming out of your router. This can allow you to have good wireless access throughout your home. In some cases, you may even be able to use your devices outside thanks to the extra boost in power that these products provide.
