After moving into an apartment, one of the services that you should look for is the internet. If you have a location in mind or have already signed the lease, then you want to look for a provider for that area as soon as possible so that everything can get connected and ready for when you do move into your home. While there are some complexes that might offer basic internet services, you might need something that’s a bit faster for the activities that you perform online.
Types
In most areas, there’s more than one type of internet available. You should look at the price of each one and the speeds that are typically associated with them before making a selection. If you need a fast connection, then you want to consider fiber-optic or cable. Fiber is a bit more expensive, but you’re going to get speeds that are usually over 500 Mbps. Some of the speeds with cable internet can be that high or even higher, making it an affordable option for everything from gaming to conference calls. DSL connects to the phone lines in your apartment. It can be slow, and if someone is using the phone, then you usually won’t be able to use the internet at the same time. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, then consider satellite internet. It’s slower, but it will give you an option for basic services. You can also use the internet connection on your mobile device if it’s needed.
What You Need
Before you connect with an internet provider, you should think about the speed that you need and what you want. The activities that you do online often dictate the kind of speed that would work for your home. If you only use the internet for casual activities, such as emailing, then a basic speed of 25 Mbps will likely be sufficient. However, if there will be multiple people using the service in the home at one time, if someone plays games online, or if you work from home and need to download information throughout the week, then you might need a speed that’s at least 100 Mbps and sometimes closer to 500 or higher depending on how often games are played or how often you work from home.
Finding a Provider
Once you’ve determined the kind of speed that you might need in your apartment, it’s time to search for a internet provider in your area. Most of the larger providers tend to cover cities while satellite internet and DSL providers tend to cover rural areas. Look for providers that offer bundle deals if you plan to get cable or phone service as well.
Talk to some of the other people who live in the complex to see who they use. Listen to the reviews that they give as you don’t want to connect with a provider who increases their prices all the time or doesn’t offer the speeds that you need on a regular basis. Make a list of the speeds that each provider offers as well as any equipment that you might need to purchase or rent. Contact each company to get a better idea of the customer service that’s offered. They should be pleasant to talk to and want to help you as much as possible. If possible, use your own devices as this could save you money on your bill each month instead of renting equipment.