How to Choose the Right Home Internet Plan

Choosing an internet plan can be confusing with all the speed numbers, plan tiers, and promotional pricing. Here is what you actually need to know to make a good decision without overpaying.

Internet speed is measured in Mbps (megabits per second). Here is what different speeds handle: 25 Mbps is enough for 1-2 people doing basic browsing and email. 50-100 Mbps handles a household of 2-4 people streaming video, browsing, and video calling. 200-300 Mbps supports a larger household with multiple people streaming 4K video simultaneously. 500+ Mbps is usually more than most households need unless you have many devices running simultaneously.

Types of internet connections: cable (widely available, speeds from 25-1,000 Mbps), fiber optic (fastest and most reliable, up to 5,000 Mbps, but not available everywhere), DSL (uses phone lines, slower, 5-100 Mbps), fixed wireless (rural areas, improving rapidly), and satellite (available anywhere, higher latency — noticeable delay).

To find providers at your address, go to broadbandnow.com or the FCC's broadband map at broadbandmap.fcc.gov. Enter your address to see which providers serve your area and what speeds they offer.

Watch out for: promotional pricing that expires after 12 months (ask what the regular price is), data caps (limits on how much data you can use per month — some providers charge overage fees), equipment rental fees ($10-15/month for a router — consider buying your own), and bundling pressure (you may not need TV and phone bundled with internet).

Before signing up, ask: "What is the price after the promotional period?" "Is there a data cap, and how much?" "Can I use my own router instead of renting yours?" "Is there a contract, and what is the early termination fee?"