When a customer seeks information about an internet service provider, their initial focus typically revolves around pricing, speed, and local availability. However, a crucial aspect often overlooked is establishing trust in the ISP&#8217;s ability to fulfill its commitments. Below are our top 10 recommendations for identifying a dependable and credible internet provider.
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Confirm the speed
Your local ISPs may make promises about various speeds, and reputable ones will often allow you to verify if these speeds are applicable to your specific address. However, you needn&#8217;t solely rely on their claims. The Federal Communications Commission offers a free search tool that reveals which providers can deliver internet services to your address and the maximum speeds they can provide.
Examine the infrastructure
Broadband internet encompasses five primary types of infrastructure: fiber-optic, cable, DSL, satellite, and wireless. Larger internet providers often offer a selection of these infrastructure types, each priced according to varying speeds and reliability.
Smaller providers may limit their offerings to just one type of infrastructure. Fiber and cable infrastructures typically deliver the highest maximum speeds and boast the most reliability. DSL and satellite options also offer reliability but can be susceptible to poor latency, resulting in delays. Fixed wireless tends to be the most affordable option but may also be the least reliable among the choices.
Explore the provider&#8217;s website
The logical starting point for comparing plans from various internet service providers is their respective websites. Additionally, investing time on each ISP&#8217;s website serves as an effective method to evaluate their reliability and trustworthiness. Does the website contain updated information? Do they provide transparent pricing, or are there significant details missing? What does the sign-up process entail?
Despite the adage advising against judging a book by its cover, a transparent and user-friendly website consistently serves as a stronger indicator of trustworthiness compared to a website where the provider seems to be concealing information.
Consult third-party reviews
The internet offers a convenient platform for comparing various service providers, including internet service providers, thanks to comparison sites. These platforms aim to empower consumers like you to make informed decisions. Click here to access Top10.com&#8217;s reviews of leading internet service providers.
Browse through customer reviews
For a comprehensive understanding of the reliability of ISPs in your locality, customer reviews are another valuable resource. Trustpilot serves as a good starting point. When assessing larger providers, be sure to filter the reviews specifically for &#8220;internet&#8221; to exclude feedback about cable services, phone services, or other unrelated offerings from the same company.
If a company has a poor score, which is often the case with larger providers known for their speed but sometimes neglectful of customer service, it&#8217;s beneficial to read several reviews to identify recurring issues. This way, if you decide to select that provider, you&#8217;ll be better equipped to navigate and potentially avoid common problems.
Check their BBB Profile
The Better Business Bureau, abbreviated as BBB, is a nonprofit organization committed to offering impartial information regarding the reliability of private businesses. Their website features listings for approximately 400,000 accredited businesses, which includes internet service providers.
Every business has its dedicated page on which you can find a score ranging from A+ through F, accompanied by recent customer complaints details. It&#8217;s essential to note that the default score is A+, so the most effective approach to accessing pertinent information is by examining the consumer complaints section.
Ask your neighbors
Regrettably, increased internet usage has contributed to less face-to-face interaction with friends, family, and neighbors. However, when seeking information about the reliability of ISPs in your area, your neighbors can be an invaluable source. Given their proximity to your location, they possess firsthand experience with the performance of providers in your vicinity.
Reach out to customer service
After narrowing down your options to one or two ISPs, give their customer service a call. Pay attention to how long it takes for them to answer your call. Evaluate whether you reach the appropriate customer support agent on the first try or if you&#8217;re bounced around between agents without anyone taking ownership of your query. Assess their ability to offer clear answers to your questions; note whether they seem confident or unsure in their responses.
A positive initial experience is typically indicative of a good sign. Conversely, a negative encounter, particularly when it involves signing up as a new customer, may suggest that the ISP lacks reliability.
Request guarantees
During your initial call with customer support, inquire about the guarantees the service provider offers. These guarantees could include a money-back guarantee, price match guarantee, or commitment to a specific level of service.
Rely on your instincts
There&#8217;s one source of information we haven&#8217;t yet discussed: your own intuition. After completing steps 1-9, you should have a clear sense of which ISPs appear trustworthy and which ones don&#8217;t. Now, it&#8217;s up to you to trust your instincts and choose the ISP that feels most comfortable to you.
<h3>Bottomline</h3>
While price, speed, and reliability are typically the primary factors distinguishing internet service providers, don&#8217;t overlook the importance of trust. As the consumer, you hold the authority to determine which ISPs you deem trustworthy and which ones you don&#8217;t.