If you’re a movie buff like me and love to spend your leisure time binge-watching series on your favorite OTT platforms, then you know how important the right affordable internet plans is for you. Well, I certainly do!
So how do you find the perfect internet service provider near your area? Well, there are two ways to go about it. One – you can do your own research, compare the packages, speed, and pricing to find the best one for you.
The other method is to read this article till the very end.
There’s an additional gift at the very end for you – from one fellow binge-watcher to the other.
Need Analysis
It goes without saying that you should analyze your needs. How many devices will be connected? Who else in your home, condo, or vicinity will be sharing your Wi-Fi password? What is the ideal data limit for you? Which resolution do you prefer to binge-watch your favorite shows or movies? Do you stream every day or occasionally? What is ideal internet speed for streaming (or multi-device streaming)? Only when you’ve all the answers will you be able to find the affordable internet plan that suits your needs?
Internet Speeds for Streaming
But if you’re in a rush and don’t have time to go through the detailed research we did for you, you can simply explore the best internet providers in your area.
Which is Better: Fiber-Optic vs. Cable Internet Plans
Well, in my humble opinion, fiber-optic is the best bet for all who are looking for affordable internet plans for heavy streaming. But that’s just my opinion. Your choice may very well depend on the benefits you wish to get by choosing between fiber-optic and cable internet plans.
Make no mistakes, both have their own benefits and disadvantages – so always choose whatever fits your needs. For instance, (the reason I mentioned my choice earlier) fiber-optic plans do offer better internet speed than their cable counterparts. Plus, the risk of latency is also very low. However, it goes without saying “if you want some extra sweetness, you need to add more sugar ($).”
Cable plans, on the other hand, do offer consistent speed, but you’re more likely to face latency issues due to congestion. So which one should you choose? This comes down to the answers you got after conducting a thorough need analysis. If you need more speed and can afford to pay some extra bucks, then fiber-optic is best for you. If you want to save money and still enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies online, then cable plans are good for you (especially if the internet speed is something you’re not concerned about).
Let’s Talk About Data Caps and Download Speed
Everyone keeps talking about download speed or internet speed, but nobody pauses for a moment to explain what it actually means.
Believe me, in my quest for knowledge, sometimes I try to enter realms that are far beyond what I am capable of. Like, I was building an AI sales agent using Python leveraging ChatGPT 4.0 (some other techs, too). The course instructor even provided the code to work on. It was a course for non-coders. Fun fact: It took me two days to configure Python in my system. That’s a story for another day. But the point is – had he started explaining from the very basics, I would’ve spent those two days refining my AI sales agent, not configuring Python.
This is why I offer knowledge about download speed and data caps for those who seek it. If you already know about it, feel free to move on to the relevant section.
So, what is download speed? It is the rate at which data is transferred to your device from the internet. Typically, it is measured in Mbps (megabits per second) or Gbps (gigabits per second). If you want to enjoy a seamless streaming experience, high (read fast) download speed is your best friend. But what does data cap have to do with me choosing the right internet plan?
The data cap is like the salary in your account. You can only spend the amount you have. Similarly, data caps refer to the amount of data your internet service provider has allocated to you for a specific period of time. If you bingeevery day,ryday – then a data cap of ich is allocated for a month) may be exhausted in 7 – 10 days. And if some other devices in your household use the same connection for binge-watching, five days is my best guess.
What will happen when you’ve exhausted your entire data? This depends on your internet service provider. Some may limit your speed, while others may charge you extra for additional bandwidth consumed.
How Much Internet Speed Do You Need for Streaming?
The answer to this question lies in your preference. If you prefer to stream movies and shows in HD, you’ll need the best internet providers in your area offering faster speed (ideally fiber-optic internet provider). If you can live with 1080p or lower, then you can opt for a cable plan. But beware that if you live in a large house and use Wi-Fi, then you might want to ask yourself, “How to boost Wi-Fi signal?” The simpler answer is you need the best Wi-Fi routers out there to enjoy an immersive streaming experience.
How Do I Find The Best Internet Providers Near Me for Movie Streaming?
It’s pretty simple. We have done the research and rated the best internet providers in terms of affordability for streaming. Let’s look at the list of 10 best internet providers near me (read You).
Tip: Remember, when choosing the internet for streaming, you’d need unlimited data internet plans.
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Who Among The Top 10 Is The Cheapest Internet Provider Near Me?
Well, we did compile a list and that means you’ve 10 options to choose from. It’s natural that this question would pop-up in your mind. And it’s only natural that we help you choose one. We could have said this earlier, but since we are not promoting any of the internet providers mentioned above and merely documenting our experience and research, it is vital that we keep this for the last.
Had we been marketing any of the above (or if we start doing that in the near future) we would’ve added a disclaimer.
So in all transparency, we believe the cheapest internet provider near me or you (for SEO purposes *winks*) is Astound.
If you want faster speed without breaking the bank all the while enjoying your favorite shows or movies in HD, then Astound is the best internet provider of them all. And it’s cheap as well.
Astound’s services include unlimited data along with free Wi-Fi equipment rental. These are the perks which led us to the conclusion that it’s the best value for money and streaming as well.
However, don’t stay focused too much on the prices as they will not last forever. Instead, they may increase their charges at a faster pace than the most. So if you want long-term pricing stability so that you can easily budget your monthly expenses, then we recommend you to opt for Quantum Fiber, T-Mobile Home Internet, or AT&T Fiber.
Always remember that when a provider is offering very cheap internet plans – then down the road you may have to pay higher charges for equipment or the speed.
It is entirely possible that Astound doesn’t cover your area and in such case – feel free to write us your area for guidance.
How To Find The Best Internet Providers’ Deals & Promotions?
Now that you’ve the list we have compiled and the facts – it is still recommended that you call on the given numbers to get all the necessary details. “The devil’s in the details” is a statement that stands true for all internet (and insurance) companies. You need to be very clear about what you want before signing up. And that’s how you can find the best deals and promotions. Some companies offer discounts to new customers, which would be ideal for you if you are in a crunch. Moreover, since the holidays are around the corner, you’d want to wait for a few days to get a better discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who offers the cheapest internet plan?
All internet providers in the US have the cheapest internet plans available. You’ll need to do your own research, and based on your needs, you can get the cheapest. For instance, cheapest internet plan with faster speed and unlimited data internet plans, Astound tops the list. But if you are looking for the cheapest in terms of monetary value, you can search for any provider available in your area. However, cable internet plans would be the cheapest.
What’s the cheapest internet available?
To be completely honest, cheap means slow speed. Every internet provider like AT&T, Spectrum, Cox, and Xfinity have plans starting as low as 19$ a month. However, you are likely to get data caps and slower speeds. In our research, we found that Astound is the cheapest internet service provider in the US (by the time we are writing this article).
Do any providers offer free internet services?
There are plenty of internet service providers who offer free internet services. But these services are not for everyone and every provider has different eligibility criteria for it. Providers like AT&T, Spectrum, and Xfinity offer free or extremely cheap internet plans to elderly, students, and families with low-income. But these free or cheap plans are subjected to certain terms and conditions, which are referred to by the providers as qualifying programs.
What internet plan do streamers use?
Streamers usually opt for internet plans without data limits and faster speed, as this allows them to enjoy streaming in a hassle-free manner.