American internet providers have been in the news in recent months, and not every article has been flattering. As a savvy consumer, you've probably wondered whether or not you're getting a reasonable level of service for the amount of money you're spending. When evaluating your overall internet service though, make sure you're looking beyond just the speed you're getting, and decided for yourself based on a more complete understanding of what you're paying for.

Essential Equipment

Getting online requires more than just a computer any more, and internet providers realize this. Apart from just installing their wires in your home, you'll need to look at the cost of any additional equipment required to access the service. There are commonly two different approaches used by most internet providers, allowing you to either purchase a modem from them, or pay a monthly service charge for a similar device.

The purchase model offers you a single payment and the modem is yours to keep, though the total price can vary based on the device and provider. A monthly equipment fee allows you to avoid a large one-time payment, and in exchange for your monthly fee, your modem will be replaced if it is found to be the source of a technical issue. If you choose to go a different way and purchase your modem from a third-party make sure you've identified devices that are compatible with your level of service, and your provider's network.

The Little Extras

Often what sets one provider apart from another is the additional services they offer, but make sure that they're services you'll actually use. A lot of internet providers offer personal e-mail and webhosting, but these might be of little use to you if you already have an e-mail address or never plan to build a website. However, you may want to inquire about cloud storage or computer security software, both of which can add greater value to your service.

While it's possible to access the internet without a security program installed, it's never a good idea to do so. Look at the suite being offered, and find its retail equivalent to get a good idea just what kind of money you'd be saving. This often justifies a good deal of your service fee, given the cost of an anti-virus subscription. In addition, access to cloud storage can allow you to keep files and information in a remote location, thus freeing up your computer's hard drive for other things.

In addition to the equipment and the additional services provided, many internet services offer more than you might expect. Access to hotspots and streaming video services are just a few to look for. Knowing everything you're getting from your provider, or from your next provider, can make it easier to justify the cost, and help you make your final buying decision.

For more information, contact a professional internet service provider, like Solarus.