Choosing the right high speed internet connection is not always just a case of going with the cheapest, there’s lot of other factors to take in to consideration to ensure you get the best deal for your needs. Richard Patterson of Broadband comparison site Broadband Expert talk us through what to consider when picking a plan.

Availability of ISP in your area

In the US, and most other countries, the type of internet connection available will differ dependent on your location. Different internet providers will cover different areas and in most zip codes you will have a mixture of local and national ISPs. If you are in the US you can check internet availability here at Broadband Expert and if you are outside the US there are various other sites that will allow you to check what is available.

Download data limit

Download limit is one of the most important factors when choosing an internet provider. If you only use the internet for browsing websites, emailing and watching the occasional video clip then one of the cheaper plans with lower download limits should be sufficient. However if you download lots of movies, music or games or make lots of VoIP calls or any other activity that requires transferring large amounts of data over the internet then you will need a plan that has a high download limit.

Speed of connection

If you need a high download limit the chances are you will need a good speed internet connection otherwise downloading movies and games can be very tiresome and streaming video won’t always be as smooth as it should be. Online gaming requires high upload speeds in addition to download speeds since data is travelling both to your computer and being send back over the internet with online gaming. Some internet service providers have plans that prioritise gaming traffic so your connection doesn’t hang at the crucial time in your game.

Type of connection: DSL internet, Cable, Satellite or Mobile broadband?

The type of high speed internet access you choose will be determined partially by availability. Some areas will have DSL internet, cable (fiber), satellite internet and mobile broadband coverage whilst other areas may have only one of these. Satellite internet is typically more expensive and is usually only an option for those who can’t get cable or DSL in their area. Mobile broadband has slower speeds and lower download limits but has the advantage of being mobile as it is available anyone with the suitable mobile coverage from your provider and works by plugging a USB modem in to your laptop so is highly portable. Since speeds are slower mobile broadband is less well suited to activities that transfer large amount of data. If you are choosing between a cable and DSL provider then typically cable provides higher speeds but take a look at some consumer reviews in your area to see what other people think of their provider before parting with you cash.

What else to consider

It’s worth considering contract length, as if you are moving your provider may not be available in your new location. Additionally it’s no fun being locked in to a lengthy contract with a provider that’s delivering the level of performance you need. Other things to consider are installation fees and level of support including if there are charges for this (such as expensive phone calls to support and charges for engineers to visit your property and fix problems).