Are you overpaying for the internet? Find out now
Reliable internet may be something you take for granted, but even the most basic plans represent a financial hardship for low-income households.
Free internet service is available in some cases. Here’s the criteria to qualify for free internet.
Do you work from home? Is someone in your house a hardcore gamer? Do you stream high-definition content from multiple devices at the same time? Your answers to these questions will help you determine how much internet speed you need.
Check yourself
How do you know if you’re paying too much if you do pay for the internet? First, make sure you’re getting what you paid for. If your plan includes 500 Mbps download speeds, you should be getting it. You won’t always see the exact number, but it should generally be close. Check your download and upload speeds at speedtest.net.
If you’re getting the speed you’re paying for but are noticing slowdowns, it could result from several factors. These include the number of connected devices, how many are streaming 4K, simultaneous streams, gaming, livestreaming, security cameras, video conferencing and more. In that case, you may need to upgrade your plan.
Another thing to check is if your router is in a good place. Walls and appliances can interfere with the wireless signal and slow everything down. You want to place your router high up and away from other electronics. Tap or click here for more tips on finding the best spot for your router.
RELATED: Find free Wi-Fi anywhere (but follow our No. 1 public network security rule)
Streaming service recommendations
Popular streaming services recommend internet download speeds to help you know what you’ll need to stream smoothly. Here are some examples:
- Netflix recommends 3 Mbps for 720p HD, 5 Mbps for 1080p HD and 15 Mbps for 4K/UHD.
- To stream YouTube videos, you should have 1.1 Mbps for standard 480p, 2.5 Mbps for 720p HD, 5 Mbps for 1080p HD and 20 Mbps for 4K.
- Skype recommends 300 Kbps for standard video calls, 1.5 Mbps for HD video calls, and 2 Mbps for group video calls of three people, and the numbers go up the more people you have in your session.
- Pandora recommends a consistent 150 Kbps for standard music streaming and at least 300 Kbps for high-quality audio.
- Amazon Music recommends at least of 1.5 Mbps or higher for uninterrupted music.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Free or low-cost internet? Here’s who qualifies and how to get it
Depending on where you live, you might not have many internet access options. That can leave you with a more expensive package than you budgeted for or insufficient speeds. However, things are slowly changing as some cable companies are offering free internet services.
You could be eligible for cheaper internet service - Here's how to check
Any money saved is an excellent thing during these troubling times. From your internet bill to taxes, it always helps to do research.
As so many do nowadays, you can claim home office deductions if you work remotely. The amount you can deduct will vary based on a few factors, including how much time you spend in your home office and the importance of what you do there concerning your business. Tap or click here for our tips on getting started.
Scammers are using free or cheap internet to lure you in - How to spot their tricks
The ongoing pandemic has made reliable internet service essential. Though some are returning to the office and children attend classes in person, we don’t know what the future will bring. Sporadic COVID outbreaks are still causing places to shut down.
10 legitimate ways to get a free laptop
The pandemic has caused a ton of disruptions in our daily lives. Millions are unemployed, public schools are going remote, and distance education at colleges and universities is now the norm.
Changes to our schedules have caused more than a headache with childcare or work schedules. They’ve also caused a huge need for access to technology, especially in low-income households. Kids need to do schoolwork online, and it’s tough to do that without a functioning device. Parents need access, too, and not all of them can afford it.
Vets eligible to get internet for $10/month and cheap laptop or PC
Are you a veteran or know someone who is? For all the years of service to our country, businesses are always finding new ways to say thank you. Recently, one internet service provider has made it easy for veterans to sign up for the internet without breaking the bank.