Are you tired of waiting forever for files to download on your computer? Do you avoid websites that take too long to load on your screen? Assuming your computer is working correctly, the problem is likely a slow internet connection. The online arena is expanding every single day, and if you want to take advantage of the new features available, then you need to increase the speed of incoming data. The service you signed up for years ago is probably lacking speed and power by today’s standards. The good news is you’ll find plenty of incentives to make the move to a better provider.

Download Speed
The rate at which your computer can download information from another online source is known as download speed. This is a critical piece of information to measure while shopping for a new internet service provider (ISP). The minimum you should have these days is 10 Mbps, which stands for 10 megabits per second.  Most broadband and DSL services provide this in their entry level services. Now if you download a lot of files (music, videos, etc.) then you should step up to a plan with 50 Mbps or higher.

Local Support and Service
All the speed in the world won’t help you if your service frequently goes offline. Using a local ISP can help you avoid issues like this since they have jurisdictions over the street side wires that connect to your home. Both your local cable and telephone companies typically offer internet connections. The added benefit with staying local is these companies have 24 hour service crews to help get you back online in the event that something goes wrong.

Price
No surprise here, cost is one of the major considerations for people shopping for a new ISP. If you are currently using a low bandwidth service then odds are the price is going to go up for you. However, the ISP market is full of competition, and that means companies will offer you some great incentives to switch over. One of type of discount you’ll find comes with packaging your internet, television and phone service. With this you usually get 25% or more off your first year of service. Another frequent promotion is cash rebates, where the ISP offers you money simply for signing up with their company.

Added Features
A number of internet service providers have expanded the features they provide with their basic service. Some give you an allotment of cloud storage so you can secure important documents and data away from your computer. This can come in handy for recovering files lost when a computer dies or gets stolen. Other added features to look for are web-based email, 24/7 technical support, and wireless home networking.

The bottom line here is the ISP market is growing swiftly, and each company is pushing hard to recruit new customers. If you are unsatisfied with your current provider then now is a great time to search for alternatives. The key is to compare all of the essential features discussed here and be sure to request a new subscriber discount.  The internet can be a fun place…if you have the right connection to access it!

Geoff Beers is a contributing author at http://internet.inmyarea.com. We make it easy to improve your online experience by locating the best high speed internet deals in your area.