In today’s digital era, having an internet connection is a must. The internet is a goldmine of information that makes life easy and simple. It provides access to unlimited information, which can contribute to your personal, professional, economic, and social development.
But in a city as big and thriving as Toronto, choosing an internet provider can become a challenge. You’ll have too many options that you’ll end up stressed and overwhelmed. Do you know which factors to consider to narrow down your options? Are you even aware of the red flags to avoid being scammed? You probably don’t have any answers to any of these questions.
To hire the best Toronto internet provider, make sure to look for the following:
1. Reputation
If this is your first time choosing an internet provider in Toronto, narrow down your efforts by conducting reputation research. This allows you to check what previous and existing clients have to say about a particular internet provider. Their comments can help you manage your expectations and help you choose a provider that suits your needs.
One way to check the reputation of internet providers in Toronto is to ask for feedback from your friends and family. If they have been using the services of an internet provider for years, ask about their experience. Were they satisfied with the service they’re getting? Or are they also looking for better options? Let the experience of other people guide you in finding a provider.
You can also learn more about internet providers by using online platforms, such as websites, social media sites, and local forums. Clients will often leave comments about internet providers on these platforms, so take note of what they have to say.
Choose an internet provider that has gained positive reviews from its clients. Positive reviews show how reputable the internet provider is and how they’re able to continually satisfy their clients with a high-speed internet connection.
2. Customer Service
In a perfect world, your internet connection at home never gets weak or lost regardless of the weather conditions. You get to browse online 24/7 no matter how strong the rain is. However, this isn’t always the case as there will be times when your internet connection will slow down.
As such, another thing to look for in a Toronto internet provider is their customer service. You’ll likely have tons of questions about your connection as you use it, which is why it’s important to have access to 24/7 customer service. You won’t be able to enjoy your internet connection at home if no one is available to help you whenever you have concerns.
Aside from asking for help when your internet gets slow, you’ll also need someone to answer your questions about billing, upgrades, and product add-ons, among others. You’ll never know what kind of help you’ll need in the future, so never neglect to check the quality and availability of the customer service of the internet provider.
If possible, choose a Toronto internet provider that offers high-quality and responsive customer service. Its team should also be available around-the-clock, so your issues and concerns will be fixed as soon as possible. This is especially important if you’re using your internet connection to work or run a business at home.
3. Speed
Having an internet connection isn’t enough—you need to make sure that the connection you have at home is fast enough. How can you browse different websites if you need to wait for one whole minute before a link loads? Do you think you can play online games without a strong internet connection?
When choosing a Toronto internet provider, pay attention to the speed of the internet connection it offers. Speed should be an important deciding factor when choosing because it affects your convenience and the value you can get from your money. The money you’ll spend paying for internet every month will be useless if your connection is too slow or weak.
A good internet speed for homes is anywhere between 50 and 100 Mbps. This speed allows you to stream movies in high definition, listen to music online, play games, and browse several websites. An internet speed of at least 50 Mbps also allows everyone in the home to fully enjoy the World Wide Web without disrupting other users.
4. Cost
For you to continually enjoy the perks of having an internet connection at home, you need to pay a monthly fee. On average, you need to pay between USD$30 and USD$170 monthly for your internet service in Toronto.
Cost is an important deciding factor when choosing an internet provider in Toronto. You need to find an internet provider that offers a good balance between price and speed. For instance, if you’re running a mom-and-pop shop at home, paying USD$1,000 every month for fiber connection isn’t the best option. Sure, this will allow your family to enjoy fast internet, but the cost will prevent you from earning profits. This can cause tons of problems in the long run.
Weigh the pros and cons of the costs offered by various internet providers in Toronto. Since you’ll be paying for the connection for years, it’s important to choose an internet provider that offers high-quality internet connection at reasonable rates.
5. Installation Fees
Installing an internet connection at home will require money from your pocket. Aside from the monthly fee, you also have to allocate funds for the installation fees. It’s important to compare the installation fees of various Toronto internet providers so you can budget accordingly.
Some internet providers will offer free installation services to new clients, and you’ll only be required to make full payment of your monthly service. This kind of setup allows you to save money.
However, if the internet provider you’re eyeing does require installation fees, make sure to inquire what these fees will cover. Does this include the cost of the modem, or will the device require additional fees? If your home is too far from the source of the connection, will you need to spend more to ensure that you receive a signal? You should consider the answers to these questions when choosing a Toronto internet provider.
6. Type Of Connection
Choosing an internet provider in Toronto can get tricky as you need to know different types of internet connections and why each connection is different. Having in-depth knowledge on this matter is crucial in choosing the right internet provider.
Generally, internet connection in Toronto is categorized into the following types:
- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): The cheapest internet connection option and comes at different speeds. However, the availability of DSL often depends on your location. Some areas in Toronto have access to DSL connections, while others don’t. The farther your location is from the internet service provider, the weaker your connection gets.
- Cable: Cable is faster than DSL, but the speed you get to enjoy at home depends on the number of people using the internet. For example, if your family of six uses the internet at night simultaneously, expect that you’ll experience a weaker connection during that time of the day.
- Satellite: Satellite internet connection is widely available in both urban and rural areas around Toronto. However, this type of connection is often slower than the first two options mentioned. This can cause problems, especially if your daily routine relies on the internet.
- Fiber Optic: This is the most reliable and fastest type of internet connection today. Fiber optic internet connection offers the same speed for downloads and uploads, which means that you can download movies for three minutes and then upload them online for three minutes, as well. However, fiber optic connection isn’t available in every location and is very expensive compared to other types of internet connection.
Various internet types offer pros and cons, so make sure to take the time to assess each. Research more so you’ll know what’s in store for you once you choose a specific type of connection. Most importantly, don’t forget to inquire from internet providers if they’re offering your preferred connection type.
7. Scalability
You can’t predict what will happen in the future, and certain situations might require you to upgrade your internet connection. For example, if your family or home-based business grows, you’ll likely need to avail of a faster internet connection.
Consider scalability when choosing a Toronto internet provider. It’s best to choose a provider that can support your needs in the future and allows you to upgrade your services without spending a lot of money. Scalability is important, so you don’t have to look for another internet provider and pay expensive installation fees whenever your internet needs change.
Knowledge Is Power
As you can see, choosing an internet provider in Toronto can come off easier when you know what to look for. It’ll be easier for you to comb through several options if you already have an idea of what type of internet provider will work best for your needs and budget.
If you’re planning to have internet installed in your home soon, use this article as your guide. The information here is enough to help you find the best internet provider in Toronto in the easiest, fastest way possible!
By Jeffry Dalvin
Bio: Jeffry Dalvin is a digital marketer. He conducts webinars, writes blog posts, and guest posts to share his knowledge and expertise about digital marketing. Jeffry enjoys listening to music and playing online games.