Choose the Best Internet or Mobile Provider for You
So you're in the market for a new mobile or fixed broadband internet provider. Whether you're unhappy with your current service, running off to college, setting up a first apartment, or buying a new home, you're going to want to have internet access from a provider that meets your unique needs. While this might feel like item 157 on a really long to-do list, it's simpler than you might think. This guide will walk you through finding the best mobile and/or fixed broadband provider for you.
Set your baseline: What service do you currently have?
You already have internet access of some type, you are (after all) reading this on the internet. Before you go into assessing all the options, it's a good time to check in with whether your current service is meeting your needs. Ask yourself: Is it fast enough? Is it responsive enough?
Then take a free Speedtest® on Android or iOS if you're looking for mobile service and hit "Go" at Speedtest.net if you are looking for fixed broadband (or all of the above). Once you have those results, you know how fast and responsive your current connections are and whether that performance meets your needs.
Faster or cheaper? What are your priorities?
Speaking of needs, "fast" may not be your top priority. Typically you're going to pay more for better service or higher data limits. That may be worth it to you or it may be the last thing you want to do. Consider what order you would put the following factors into:
Speed. Think about how much speed you really need and if a bigger Mbps number is what makes you happy. If you rushed out to get a 5G phone the first second you could, this might be at the top of your list. If you're still rocking a device from five years ago, speed might be at the bottom of your priorities. And if you're connecting 10 devices for your family, you might need the bandwidth that a higher speed implies.
Responsiveness. If you find a laggy connection extra annoying (if you're a gamer, for example), having a low latency (or ping) might be really important to you.
Cost. Money is real. Only you know what matches your budget but there are often a variety of different plans available that offer different performance levels (especially on fixed broadband).
Coverage. There are some locations where even having access to mobile coverage feels like a luxury. If you live in one of these places, use the Speedtest mobile apps to see who has coverage in your exact location. This is especially important if you're looking to upgrade to 5G — if your area doesn't have it, there's no sense in paying for it.
Other benefits. Some providers include streaming services, free airplane Wi-Fi, or other benefits with their plans. Only you know what you need, but you don't want to ignore these opportunities.
Who offers mobile and fixed broadband service in your area?
Once you know what your priorities are, you're ready to start comparing options. Check out the Speedtest Performance Directory™ for a list of the major mobile operators and internet service providers (ISPs) where you are. Click the region you want to see information about and then drill down to your more specific location. You'll find a graph for most cities that includes a list of internet providers and an expected speed range. This not only gives you a list of companies to start investigating, it can also help you start weeding out those that might not meet your needs.
If you're looking for mobile service, be sure to consider local MVNOs — mobile carriers that use another provider's network. They don't always qualify for our speed comparisons but they can be a good option, especially if you're shopping on a tighter budget.
Creative options
There are so many different ways to get internet access these days — more so every day. Do you want to bundle your phone, cable, and internet? Get fixed internet over wireless networks (FWA)? Connect to a satellite? Benefit from a municipal broadband network? If the traditional options aren't doing it for you, ask around. Chances are that there's something out there that will.
Good luck on your new adventure! Check in with us on Twitter or Facebook if you have more questions or to tell us your story of setting up your new internet service.