Getting the fastest broadband service is a process that requires evaluating not only the broadband providers available in your area, but also understanding the limitations of the computer or computers that you will use to access the connection. Several factors must be assessed in order to determine which broadband connection option will provide the best results in your particular situation. Issues like availability in your neighborhood, the price of the service, and even the quality of the wiring or cable carrying the signal will play some role in determining the fastest broadband service you can reasonably expect to receive.
Even if you live in a city, not all the fastest broadband options in the area are necessarily available in your neighborhood. For example, the local telephone company may offer two or more levels of fast Internet access in the area, but may only provide limited access in your neighborhood. In situations like this, your only other option may be to contact the cable company or companies that offer broadband connectivity in the area, and determine if they can provide you with service.
Once you know how many different vendors you can choose between, you can begin to compare broadband plans and determine which one is right for you. Keep in mind that many providers will offer different service packages that provide various maximum speeds, with the lower speeds sold at a lower monthly fee. For example, a provider may offer what is known as a light broadband service that has a maximum speed of roughly half the higher priced service. Be prepared to pay a little more if you want access to the fastest broadband speed available.
Your system resources will also play a role in determining the fastest broadband speed you can hope to receive. Most providers will require that your computer have at least a minimum amount of capacity in terms of random access memory or RAM in order to function properly. Some providers will also require that the operating system is one of several specific types or versions. Typically, it is a good idea to make sure you have more than just the minimum RAM required if you want to get the fastest broadband connection consistently.
Depending on the quality of the wiring that carries the signal, you may or may not actually experience a speed near the maximum amount possible. This is especially true if you go with the local telephone company as your broadband provider. Since the service is often established by providing you with an exterior router or modem and special attachments that plug into the existing phone jacks to split the signal, older wiring in your home or office may translate into lower speeds. Since most cable companies will run new cable to your home when you establish the service, chances are that the optimum speed you actually experience will be closer to the fastest broadband in the area.
Choosing the fastest broadband service requires that you evaluate all equipment, including the wiring, at your end, as well as confirming the maximum speeds available with different broadband packages. This can take some time to compare the offering of different vendors, but the effort can pay off in a big way. Going with the right vendor means fewer service issues, and a consistently higher speed than you would receive otherwise.