Internet articles & resources

Internet guides and resources

Practical guides for comparing US internet plans, understanding connection types, checking provider terms and choosing a plan with fewer surprises.

Guides

Should You Buy Your Own Modem and Router or Rent?

Renting a modem and router from your provider is convenient, but buying your own can replace a recurring monthly fee with a one-time purchase and give you more control. This guide explains the trade-offs, when buying makes sense, when renting is the safer choice, and how to make sure any equipment you buy is compatible with your internet connection.

12 Jun 2026 6 min read

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A modern cell tower with antennas against a clear blue sky, symbolizing connectivity.

Guides

5G Fixed Wireless Home Internet: What It Is and When It Fits

5G fixed wireless home internet delivers broadband to your home over a cellular network instead of a wired line, using an indoor or outdoor receiver that connects to a nearby tower. This guide explains how it works, how it differs from fiber and cable, what affects its performance, and the kinds of households and locations where it tends to make the most sense.

By Caleb Mercer — Senior Internet Plans Analyst

10 Jun 2026 9 min

A couple relaxing on a sofa using laptop and smartphone with wireless home internet.

Guides

How to Check Whether Internet Is Available at Your Address

Internet availability is decided address by address, so the only reliable way to know your options is to check for your specific home rather than your city or ZIP code. This guide explains why availability varies so precisely, the dependable ways to confirm what serves your address, and how to interpret the results so you understand which connection types you can actually get.

By Caleb Mercer — Senior Internet Plans Analyst

10 Jun 2026 5 min

Wireless router with four antennas illustrating wifi internet speeds

Guides

Wi-Fi vs. Your Internet Plan: Often It Is the Router

When home internet feels slow, the cause is frequently the Wi-Fi inside your home rather than the internet plan or provider. This guide explains the difference between your internet connection and your Wi-Fi network, why the router and its placement matter so much, and how to tell whether an upgrade to your equipment would help more than a faster plan.

By Priya Ramaswamy — Consumer Internet Editor

5 Jun 2026 6 min

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Father and children using gadgets on a sofa, balancing work and leisure.

Articles

How Many Devices Can One Internet Plan Really Handle?

There is no fixed limit to how many devices an internet plan can handle, because what matters is how many are actively demanding bandwidth at once, not how many are connected. This guide explains how devices share a connection, why idle gadgets barely count, how your router and Wi-Fi factor in, and how to judge whether your plan can keep up with a growing, device-filled home.

By Caleb Mercer — Senior Internet Plans Analyst

10 Jun 2026 7 min

Beetle car speeding down a city street symbolising slow internet speed.

Articles

Why Real-World Speeds Are Slower Than Advertised

It is normal for the speeds you actually experience to be lower than the figure your internet plan advertises, because advertised speeds are a maximum under ideal conditions rather than a guarantee. This guide explains the common reasons for the gap, from Wi-Fi and equipment to congestion and how speed is shared, and what you can do to get closer to your plan's potential.

By Priya Ramaswamy — Consumer Internet Editor

8 Jun 2026 6 min

Digital code projection creating a tech-inspired abstract vibe illustrating internet speeds.

Articles

Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Speeds: What the Numbers Mean

Every internet plan lists two speeds, one for downloads and one for uploads, and whether they match tells you a lot about how the connection will behave. This guide explains what symmetrical and asymmetrical speeds mean, why different connection types are built one way or the other, and how to decide which balance suits your household based on how you use the internet.

By Priya Ramaswamy — Consumer Internet Editor

8 Jun 2026 7 min

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