All internet service plans are not created equally. There are several broadband connection types, and the service you’re paying for may not necessarily be the best fit for your usage habits. Understanding your internet connection is the first step toward picking the service and speed that work best for you.

Broadband Connection Types 

Internet service providers (ISPs) use several different broadband connection types. These connection types vary in availability and cost, depending on where you live. Each connection has a different maximum bandwidth (the amount of data that can be transferred between you and the web). Here’s a quick rundown:

• Asymmetric Direct Subscriber Line, or ADSL, connections use your copper phone lines to transmit data in both directions. This connection type is asymmetric because it has a faster download speed than upload speed, so it’s not ideal for anyone who creates and uploads a lot of web content. Download speeds usually top out at 100 Mbps.
• Cable connections work over a coaxial cable and are faster than the copper wires used in an ADSL connection. Cable networks are shared across neighborhoods, and speeds will be throttled based on the number of users on at a given time. Most cable connections are in the ballpark of 300 Mbps. If you use a lot of devices in your home, this plan is a good pick price-wise.
• Fiber Optic connections offer the fastest download and upload speeds at around 1,000 Mbps. This makes it the best connection for data-hungry users. Fiber optic cables are installed regionally by ISPs, but many rural areas still don’t have access to the technology. This connection type generally isn’t cheap, so it’s best for people who use lots of smart devices or prefer the highest-quality video streaming and are fine cutting down their costs in other ways.

Once you understand the service options available to you, you’ll want to measure your current internet speed and see if it’s a good match for your usage. By running a speed test, you can get a snapshot of your connection speed right from your browser.

Once you’ve measured your connection speed, it’s time to estimate your usage. Most ISPs have usage trackers available through your account page (especially if they’re capping your data). If your ISP won’t provide you with a usage estimate, you can track your own data use with a program like GlassWire. This bandwidth monitor track your data amounts and identify malicious software that might be inflating your usage.

If your data usage is well below your limit, you could drop down to a cheaper plan to save some money without running into any problems.

Or if you’re hitting your data limit but don’t want to pay for more bandwidth, try a bonding VPN (Virtual Private Network) like Speedify. This app combines multiple connection types (wireless, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and wired connections) and optimizes data transfer across all of them for a big speed boost. Speedify connects to the cloud to spread out your data and not use all the bandwidth of one connection. And your combined connection types keep you connected even if one type goes down.

Tip #3: Bundle Your Internet or Cut the Cord

Tip #4: Reduce Your Mobile Data

Data usage and connection speeds are moving targets, so plan on assessing your internet package at least once every year or two. High-quality video, interactive website designs, and increasing graphic resolution are quickly making the internet less forgiving of a slow connection. With these tips, you can stay ahead of the technology curve without breaking your bank.

About the author: this guest blog post is brought to you by highspeedinternet.com – helping you find the best internet options in your area within the US.