If your DSL connection goes out, I've had AT&T customers tell me Ma Bell won't fix it. But AT&T is getting out of the DSL business so you can no longer get it. DSL, when you can still get it, is decent with real-world speeds in the double-digit Mbps down and single-digit Mbps up. Then, there are the connections I can't recommend, but if you have no other choice in the matter, well then you have no other choice. If you do have a choice of ISPs and internet delivery technologies, I recommend, in this order, the following connection types: Fiber, the fastest of the fast cable, can be good on downstream speeds, but tends to be much slower on upstream and LEO satellite and 5G internet are both good, but they're still in their teething stages and their performance can be erratic. Unfortunately, as the non-profit Institute for Local Self Reliance points out, " 83.3 million Americans can only access broadband through a single provider." You'd just go with the ISP that actually delivers the broadband goods.
![download speed download speed](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/img_553a7736a9ab9.jpg)
Now if you could simply shop for an ISP that wouldn't be so annoying.
![download speed download speed](https://www.clickpointsolution.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/speed-test-1.jpg)
According to AllConnect, a company that helps users find the best telecommunication deals, " 15% of internet users, or 45 million people, are getting less than their advertised speeds." Of those, "Fiber and cable internet have the biggest gap – with most people getting, on average, about 55% of the speeds they pay for." In my experience, this is all too common. And, adding insult to injury, the company charged many of them for more expensive and higher-speed service than was actually provided. For example, the Federal Trade Commission, along with law enforcement agencies from six states, recently sued Frontier Communications, alleging that the company didn't provide many consumers with the internet speeds it promised them. You must also keep in mind that what ISPs promise they'll deliver in the way of bandwidth often isn't what you get. If you're a regular ZDNet reader, chances are you too have a house filled with net-connected devices. If you're using these devices all the time, then you'll want to have enough bandwidth to power all of them.įor example, in my computer-happy home office I have over 30 internet-connected devices. Besides the ones you first think of - computers, streaming devices, and gaming consoles - there are also smartwatches, Internet of Things gadgets, and even pet-tracking devices. For example, even if you only have one or two people in your home, there are more than 10 internet-connected devices in the average US home. That's fine as far as it goes, but it's not enough. So, here's a good list of what you're probably doing on the net and how much bandwidth you need to do the tasks without wanting to tear your hair out. And let's not even talk about their speed guarantees, which more often than not are wishful thinking.
![download speed download speed](http://installingcats.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/bandwidthplace.jpg)
Over the years, I've been told by ISPs they could hook me up with connections they literally physically couldn't deliver. ISPs can also mislead you about what they can actually deliver. Your local Internet service providers (ISP) will happily give you recommendations on their websites, but keep in mind they want to sell you more bandwidth. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. ZDNet's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. Neither ZDNet nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions.
![download speed download speed](https://systemzone.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Speed-Test-Online-1.jpg)
And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. ZDNet's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping.