When you’re hiring a new internet company, it’s your right to ask them every question in the book that is related to your service. You can end up subscribing to something totally irrelevant if you don’t know what are the right questions to ask.
The only way you can love your Internet Service Provider is if you get all the information you need before signing the contract. Not sure how to do that? It all starts by asking the right questions. We have compiled a list of mandatory questions to ask Cox TV packages or any other ISP you are interested in before entering a contract.
1: What Speed Options Are Available?
The first thing you need to ask the provider is what speed options they are offering. Most providers have speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1,000 Gbps. The speed you choose for your home depends on the number of devices or internet users in the house and your internet lifestyle. If you are a big streamer, you will need at least 5 Mbps for streaming HD videos.
If you are unsure, you can always ask the provider to provide you with a speed recommendation based on your lifestyle.
2: Is There an Option for Unlimited Data?
Data limit is something a provider imposes over internet usage. Not all providers have a data limit, but they have a soft limit. This meaning once your internet usage hits a certain limit, the provider will slow down your speed.
Some providers claim they offer unlimited. There’s always a catch to it because they have a soft data limit attached to it. Look for this information on the provider’s website. For further clarity, there’s no harm in asking
3: Do You Throttle Speeds?
Don’t fall for the no data limits. Make sure you find read the fine print about the speed at the provider’s website. You will learn that the provider slows down speed (which is throttling) when the soft data limit passes. Some providers throttle the speed when the network is congested. You can ask about speed throttling from the provider by directly calling them.
4: Do They Have a Contract?
It’s important to find out if there’s a contract in place and how long it lasts. It’s also a good idea to see if there are any incentives for committing to a lengthier term. Waived fees or a decreased monthly charge are examples of these incentives. When it comes to contracts, though, it’s equally important to know how the company handles early cancellation. Usually, there’s an early termination fee if you want to leave the provider before the term of the contract.
5: Do You Offer Equipment Installation Support?
Most providers have the options to choose from self-installation and opting for technical assistance. In the latter case, the company will send in an agent to install the equipment for you and ensure everything’s up and running. Before booking either of these services, it’s best to ask about the installation fee. This is usually a one-time fee which you shouldn’t mind paying because it will set your services up.
6: What Happens If I Come Across a Service Outage Issue?
Unfortunately, Internet problems and outage issues are unavoidable. Ask the provider what assistance they provide in case of an outage. Some carriers offer a phone number for technical help, an online portal with outage and maintenance information, or a live chat option. Don’t forget to learn about the hours of tech support and customer service to know what’s the best time to call.
7: Can I Bring My Own Equipment?
Every ISP offers equipment on rent. But if you are thrifty and you want to save money, there’s a BYOD option. Do ask the internet company if they allow customers to bring their equipment. This is a perfect way to minus a few dollars from your monthly bill.
However, renting the equipment has its own perks. It will be the provider’s job to replace the equipment if it damages or when maintenance is required.
8: What Security Services Do You Offer?
Make sure the internet company you choose offers security with the internet plan. Usually, there is maintenance and updates to keep with the online threats. If the ISP does not keep up with security that means your data is at risk. Dial their number and ask the agent how do they secure your internet usage.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong question. If anything else pops up in your head apart from the questions listed above, go ahead, and ask.
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