The rising demand for better internet connectivity has led to the advancement of internet technology. Fiber optic cable is one such technology that has revolutionized how the internet is used across the globe. Fiber optics made it possible to transfer gigantic files within a matter of a few seconds, watch video content in high definition without any buffering, live stream your content, and access information from the cloud instantly. All of this has made it essential to have a fiber optic cable installation at your home or office. But how does one choose the best service provider? Don’t worry!
Here are five smart tips for finding the best fiber optic cable provider.
Compare the prices
Internet service providers usually offer different internet packages with varying bandwidth, data limits, and internet speed. Though the package price will mainly depend on these factors, many service providers charge extra for installations and support. That is why you need to compare the prices of different providers to find the one that suits all your needs and your budget. The providers also offer monthly, quarterly and yearly plans. You can choose the one that makes sense for you. Along with the pricing, here are some of the factors that you need to compare:
- Network Speeds
- Installation and equipment costs
- Data caps and top-up fees
- Longer contracts
The price of the setup also determines how the service will be. Many times cheap things often break early, so you might have to repurchase them. In the same way, if you want a seamless internet connection, best and prompt service, you should go for a fiber optic cable installationthat provides the best customer service and experience.
Find the ISP in your neighborhood.
There must be numerous ISPs functioning in the neighborhood where you live. The location of the ISP can make a big difference. Whenever you encounter any problems, you should locate and contact the ISP. Hiring the ISP from a different state won’t make sense as you need someone to find and fix the problems on time immediately.
Make Service level agreements.
A service-level agreement (SLA) is a legal agreement between consumers and Internet service providers. Uptime, latency, jitter, packet loss, and response/repair time should be guaranteed in an ISP’s service level agreement (SLA). Make sure you include the essential information about different functions. The response time should be 4hrs or less so that you don’t face downtime until the network is instated. Determine the network speed, bandwidth, data limits so you won’t have to face legal issues later.
Customer support
Before you sign up, find out how good the company’s customer service is. Large ISPs subject you to automated phone menus, long hold times, and the possibility of being transferred to a third-party provider outside of the United States.
Also, don’t forget about responsiveness. When your company has a technical problem, how long does it take your provider to respond and resolve it? Time is money; therefore, how your ISP handles customer service has a direct impact on your company’s bottom line, whether it’s hours spent on hold or weeks waiting for a repair.
Market reputations
Reputation research is a reliable technique to vet a new provider. Understanding an ISP’s reputation is an intelligent technique of restricting your alternatives, whether checking online reviews on Yelp or Google or interacting personally with nearby companies.
Many carriers provide residential and business services with varying uptime, quality-of-service (QoS), and other requirements. When evaluating reviews, keep in mind the type of customer.
The points mentioned above are the factors you need to consider before hiring a fiber optic service provider.