Changing your internet and tv packages or cable internet bundles can be daunting and why not? Thanks to the competition in the market and the catfights, we’ve been left with an enormous amount of choices that are both confusing us and intimidating us. Yes, using these bundles have benefits of their own. You don’t have to pay individually the internet, home phone, and tv cable; instead, just with a monthly payment of about $99 (AT&T’s U-verse), you can have all three of them in a bundle. But this potential nevertheless, as stated before, it is the choice that has grabbed my people by their necks. The result? Confusions. However, as there’s a way for everything, you can also answer all of those probing questions in your mind by following three keen and key steps. 1. Establish the base price Whether you’re thinking about switching to the Verizon’s FiOS for a blazing internet connection, or you’re thinking about signing up with AT&T for a landline to receive their U-verse, the first thing you should do is add up the prices you’re paying for your existing bundle and then think if you’d need any additional features like faster internet connection or HD TV channels. It all depends on your needs. For any blogger who relies on having a decent internet connection (like FiOS with a whopping 50 megabits/sec speed) to have his uploads done faster, keeping the speedy internet connection as his first priority in a bundle would be wise. However, as opposed to this, if someone just sends emails or spends a few hours on general web surfing, paying for a high-speed internet is not advisable. He can rely on any bundled service in the market. 2. Do some comparisons There are websites like Bridgevine, BundleMyServices, Allconnect, Digitallanding, and many others that are doing a great job in providing an easy way to compare any bundle service providers around you. These companies make a living by charging a commission or transaction fee from the bundle service providers. But that doesn’t mean that they promote one company above the other because according to Steven McKean of Digitallanding.com, “…the minute you start to push a particular brand over another, you begin to lose your integrity.” So, visiting the websites for a better comparison to shake off some confusion can be a good start for you. 3. Research your choice Using a website like connectnsave.com can help you understand your options local to you. The details about service provider deals, packages, and everything inclusive can be accessed through the website. Searching for the right internet and tv packages or cable internet bundles can be a lot easier if you follow the steps mentioned above. So, why don’t you begin with your research now?
The competition in the home alarm system companies has led to the confusion among the customers when it comes to their choice. Any home security monitoring service could provide a number of different services that could leave you bewildered. However, to cut you some slack, we’ve compiled a few steps that could help you steer clear of the confusion and choose the right alarm system company. After all, it is the matter of yours and your family’s security.
1. Different types of monitoring
The type of monitoring service decides the level of your home security. There are three principal types:
a. Landline
The oldest of all forms, landline monitoring is also the cheaper of all. However, cheaper services come with their own risks. For example, the landlines are vulnerable to a security breach. Therefore, they should only be used when you live in a remote area with no cellular or broadband connection.
b. Broadband
This monitoring type is faster than the landline because the internet connection is used to by the monitoring station to communicate with their alarm systems. The downside of it, however, is that you cannot completely rely on the system. It can leave your house susceptible if the internet service is down.
c. Cellular monitoring
If you’re looking for the latest technology in the alarm systems, then cellular monitoring is for you. It is by far the fastest, secure, and the most reliable monitoring service you can have. All of this nevertheless, it is expensive and would only work if your area has cellular connections.
2. Installation types
Installing a home alarm or monitoring system involves two approaches.
a. Professional
Professional installation is all about sitting back and relaxing as your service representative asses your house spaces and installs the devices accordingly. This installation service comes with additional prices and should only be acquired if you live far away from the main city.
b. DIY
If you live in an apartment or any other small place, then you can install the security systems yourself. Mostly, cellular systems are installed this way. It takes merely an hour or so to do it and you can have assistance from the customer support if you get stuck somewhere.
3. Added services
Home security or surveillance systems also come with additional services that could include home automation. It depends on your needs whether you want the system to be connected, for example, with Alexa, Nest, and IFTTT applications.
4. Customer services
The way any service provider communicates with their customers is the main driver of trust between them. Before hiring any of the home security providers, be sure to check their CS rating on websites such as Consumer Affairs or Consumer Reports. For starters, you can also give them a call and see how their support services turn out to be.
5. Price and features of the package of your choice
The price and the features of a package depend on your choice; however, be sure to read all the details of it before buying it. Things to look for include monthly, weekly, activation, service, cancellation, and relocations fees; and whether your home security monitoring service leases out the equipment or not. In terms of features, you can see whether your home alarm system company provides automatic monitoring services; home automation services; remote monitoring services. Depending on your needs, you can add these service to your package, but do remember that its price would scale up accordingly. Although you can choose your home security system by following the steps we listed above, it ultimately depends on your requirements what type of company would be the best. So, sit back and think about them and then go with the research.
There are many high-speed internet options in the form of best cable and internet deals. However, choosing any of the service providers is solely a process that requires you to first know through which services you can access the internet with a decent speed. The services we talked about come in five major categories.
DSL or digital subscriber line
Phone companies provide DSL services through their phone lines without interfering with the usual service of the telephone. Apart from the local phone companies, other providers also offer this service.
Cable modems
Provided by the cable companies, cable modems are used to access the internet through the already available cable lines. But in the process, the usual cable service is not tampered with.
Fiber optics
Fiber optics companies usually offer TV, internet, and phone all in a bundle through the fiber optics spread around a city.
Satellite internet service
Satellite TV providers offer internet service through their infrastructure in most areas; however, the service can be disrupted by unfriendly weather conditions.
Wireless networks
You can access the internet in the form of 3G or 4G through your existing mobile operator. That can be done by using your mobile phone, or by built-in air card in your computer. While this is one of the ways to have internet wirelessly, there are WiFi hotspots in some areas such as airports, cafes, etc. that you can use for the internet.
Which one is faster?
The fiber optics provide faster internet connections than cable and the cable, in turn, has a better speed than the DSL. All of them have different uploading and downloading speeds; however, usually, the downloading speeds are higher. But no matter how faster an internet connection you use, the final megabits/sec or kilobits/sec depends on three principal factors:
- The type of service you’re using
- The package that you’ve subscribed
- Your extent of internet usage (how congested your internet is)
What to consider when you’re shopping?
Discounts
You should ask your service provider if they offer any discounts on multiple services. Normally, the promotion costs vary a lot and there are time limits. So, you should be careful enough to know them and affirm the claims of your service provider.
Special offers
Although special offers come without taxes and additional fees, you should thoroughly research before buying them. What you can do is ask your provider about them. Get a clear understanding of all the charges and the taxes included in them. Follow this approach even if you’re buying them online.
Setting up connections
You might have to install certain devices to use the services of your internet provider. Before considering any promotion, be sure to first inquire about them.
The speed of the internet
Know all the details about the package you’re subscribing to, including the up and down speeds. You should know that the speeds listed might not be received once you have the internet connection because it depends on a lot of factors and you might not get the transmission speed you’re expecting.
Security
Certain internet providers do offer additional security layers in the form of antiviruses and anti-spyware. All you have to do is ask your service provider about them. Choosing from the high-speed internet options or best cable and internet deals can be daunting. However, through careful observation and research, you can have the internet connection you’re looking for. For that, you’d have to stay bold to ask what comes to your mind about the service.