Can you hear me now?

There’s nothing worse than a dropped call or a frozen screen during an important meeting. Choosing the best internet and phone service means never having to worry about a poor connection.

With over 55% of the workforce currently working from home, having a reliable home phone and internet service has never been more important.

Are you setting up a new service or looking to upgrade?

Keep reading for 4 tips on choosing the right provider for your needs and budget.

1. Locate the Providers in Your Area

First things first — you need to find the internet and phone service providers in your area. 

Not all companies service every area. A quick online search using your zip code will bring up the desired results. 

Keep in mind that just because a specific service provider is listed in your zip code doesn’t necessarily mean their service is available.

This initial search will simply give you a good jumping-off point.

2. Consider Types of Service

Not all internet services are created equal. The days of dial-up are long gone. Now, there are more efficient services to choose from including:

  • DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
  • Cable
  • Satelite 
  • Fiber-optic

Each type of internet service offers its own benefits including speed, price, and strength. It’s these factors that you need to compare when making your final decision. 

3. Compare Plans, Speeds, Prices, and More

The internet and phone service plan you choose needs to accommodate your needs.

Figure out what features are most important to you and go from there. 

Ideally, you want a plan or package that offers dependable service, reliable speed, and an adequate data limit. A reliable company like CenturyLink offers a wide range of plans and packages to deliver exactly what you need for a price you can afford.

Other features to consider include:

  • Equipment and installation costs
  • Reviews and ratings
  • Overage fees
  • Data caps

Be sure to ask about our bundle packages, which let you create a customized package to fit your needs and budget.

4. The Need for Speed

Speed is a major factor when choosing the best internet provider. In a world of instant gratification, we’ve become accustomed to pages loading in under two seconds.

Whether you’re streaming videos and television or hosting work conferences, you want internet that’s lightning fast. 

Internet speed is measured in Mbps or megabits per second and can range from 5 all the way up to 1,000 or more! 

When trying to figure out how many Mbps you need, consider how many devices will be connected at once and what you’re streaming (video games, TV, etc.).

You also need to consider upload vs. download speed.

Download speed matters when streaming movies, television, and gaming. Upload speeds are important for things like attending Zoom meetings and uploading files.

Find a Reliable Internet and Phone Service Provider Today

With plenty of other things to worry about, your internet and service provider shouldn’t be one of them. 

By doing a little research about providers in your area and your specific needs, you can find a quality service plan that works for your budget. 

CenturyLink offers both home phone and internet service in a comprehensive package. 

Learn more about all of our services here or call us at 1-865-465-2313 and say goodbye to unreliable internet service for good.