根据您居住的地方，您可能有许多不同的ISP选择。为了确保您找到最好的，让我们分解一个实用的过程来找到您所在地区的最佳互联网选项。
在 ISP 中寻找什么
首先，您必须对如何评估ISP(ISP)候选人有一个很好的了解。查找本地ISP(ISPs)的列表并没有多大帮助，也不知道如何区分好的。有四个基本领域需要评估，但要获得更深入的指南，请阅读比较新的互联网提供商时要记住的 7 件事(7 Things To Bear In Mind When You Compare New Internet Providers)。
连接类型(Type of Connection)
互联网(Internet)服务提供商提供各种互联网连接类型。目前的首选是光纤互联网。不过，您也可以选择使用基于铜线的DSL（数字用户线(Digital Subscriber Line)）、固定无线（例如 5G）或卫星互联网（例如Starlink）。
这些连接类型中的每一种都有其优点和缺点，因此请确保在做出决定之前充分了解它们。
塑造、数据上限和合理使用政策(Shaping, Data Caps, and Fair Use Policies)
互联网(Internet)数据计划附带超出基本营销措辞的规则。例如，广告可能会说“无限”数据，但细则表明，如果您超过某个阈值，您的连接速度将会降低。
“整形”是将某些类型的互联网流量限制在比宣传的低得多的速度的做法。例如，视频流和洪流(torrenting)可能仅以您的连接可以达到的速度的一小部分运行，而正常的网络浏览则以全速进行。在与ISP(ISP)签约之前，请务必仔细阅读其数据计划政策。
对称与非对称连接(Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Connections)
大多数用户只关心他们连接的下载速度，但现在每个用户都应该关心他们发送数据的速度，而不仅仅是接收数据。使用远程桌面(remote desktop)、视频会议和云存储应用程序，您将受益于快速的上传速度。
大多数家庭互联网连接仍然是不对称的。换句话说，下载速度比上传速度快得多。您可能会看到诸如 100/10 或 50/25 之类的示例，第二个数字表示上传带宽，以兆比特/秒为单位。使用对称计划，两个数字相同，因此您可以以与下载完全相同的速度上传。
每月与合约订阅(Month-to-month vs. Contract Subscriptions)
一些ISP计划要便宜得多，因为它们会将您锁定在长期合同中。从长远来看，这可能会花费更多，因为当他们在合同期的后半段开始降价时，您无法切换到其他更实惠的提供商或计划。
尽管按月签订的合同可能每月花费更多，但它们允许您在短时间内更改ISP或更改为其他数据计划。(ISP)因此，如果您不再对自己的服务感到满意，您就不会被锁定。
1. 使用 ISP 目录站点
现在我们已经对ISP(ISPs)进行了速成课程概述，下一步是查找您所在地区可用的ISP(ISPs)。最有效的方法是使用ISP目录站点。
这些网站通常允许您输入邮政编码(ZIP)，或者他们可以使用您报告的位置或地址。一个典型的例子是ISP.com。如果我们输入 Beverly Hills 的邮政编码，(Beverly Hills)您(ZIP)将看到为该地区提供服务 的ISP列表。(ISPs)
在多个ISP目录站点上进行精确搜索是个好主意。这样，您可以确保看到所有潜在的ISP(ISPs)，并且一个站点不会显示比另一个站点更好的报价。除了ISP.com，我们还尝试了 allconnect.com(allconnect.com)和inmyarea.com，但是有很多选择。我们发现这三个站点之间的不同ISP(ISPs)报告了相同的邮政编码(ZIP)，因此请花点时间彻底了解。
从那里，您必须将似乎有最优惠价格的ISP列入候选名单，然后继续研究它们在现实生活中的表现如何。(ISPs)
2.检查速度排名网站
有ISP声称它提供的速度，然后是它提供的速度。互联网(Internet)速度排名网站获取用户提交的真实测试结果并将其汇总。这使您可以很好地了解服务的执行情况。
例如，使用 Ookla 的速度指数，您可以检查(Speed Index)美国(USA)不同ISP(ISPs)、其他州和城市的平均实际速度。另一个有用的网站是 Netflix 的ISP 速度指数( ISP speed index)，您可以在其中查看全球各种ISP(ISPs)在Netflix流量方面的表现。请(Just)记住，成形数据计划将不同类型的互联网数据限制为不同的速度。
3.查看社交媒体(Media)或询问(Ask)邻居
当谈到互联网连接的“最后一英里”时，简单地询问周围环境会很有效。如果您刚搬入由管理机构管理的新公寓大楼或封闭式庄园，则ISP的选择可能有限。询问您的邻居或住房组织的经理可能是找出您的选择是什么以及哪些是最好的最快方法。
居住在同一街区或同一地点的人们在社交媒体或NextDoor等专用网站上组建群组的情况并不少见。这使得这些地方成为从体验过实际服务的人那里获得关于哪些ISP是您居住的最佳地点的提示的好地方。(ISPs)
真实世界的广告
在您居住的地方寻找海报、传单和其他广告的肉类空间(meatspace)（即现实世界）也值得关注。有时，提供优质服务的小型ISP会宣传他们可以提供帮助的地方。(ISPs)在主流广告平台上很容易错过它们。如果你在附近走动时睁大眼睛和耳朵，你就有很大的机会获得很多东西。
4 Ways to Find the Best Internet Options (ISPs) in Your Area
Deрending on where you live, you may have many different choices of ISP. To ensure you find the best one, let’s break down a practical process to find the best internet options in your area.
What to Look For in an ISP
First, you must have a good idea of how to evaluate an ISP candidate. It’s not much help to find a list of local ISPs, and have no idea how to tell the good ones apart. There are four essential areas to evaluate, but for a more in-depth guide please read 7 Things To Bear In Mind When You Compare New Internet Providers.
Type of Connection
Internet service providers offer all sorts of internet connection types. The premiere choice at the moment is fiber optics internet. Still, you may also have the option to use copper-based DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), fixed wireless (e.g., 5G), or satellite internet (e.g., Starlink).
Each of these connection types has its pros and cons, so be sure you understand them well before making a decision.
Shaping, Data Caps, and Fair Use Policies
Internet data plans come with rules that go beyond the basic marketing wording. For example, the advertisement might say “unlimited” data, but the fine print indicates that your connection speed will be reduced if you pass a certain threshold.
“Shaping” is the practice of limiting certain kinds of internet traffic to much lower speeds than advertised. For example, video streaming and torrenting may only run at a fraction of the speed your connection can reach, while normal web browsing happens at full speed. Make sure you carefully read the data plan policy of an ISP before signing on with them.
Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Connections
Most users only care about the download speeds of their connection, but these days every user should be concerned with how quickly they can send data, not just receive it. With remote desktop, video conferencing, and cloud storage applications, you’ll benefit from having a fast upload speed.
Most home internet connections are still asymmetrical. In other words, the download speed is much faster than the upload speed. You may see examples such as 100/10 or 50/25, with the second number representing upload bandwidth in megabits per second. With a symmetrical plan, both numbers are the same, so you can upload at precisely the same speed as you download.
Month-to-month vs. Contract Subscriptions
Some ISP plans are significantly cheaper because they lock you into a long-term contract. This can cost more in the long term since you can’t switch to other more affordable providers or plans when they start decreasing prices in the latter half of your contract period.
Although month-to-month contracts may cost a little more monthly, they allow you to change ISP or change to other data plans at short notice. So if you’re no longer happy with your service, you aren’t locked in.
1. Use an ISP Directory Site
Now that we’ve had a crash-course overview of ISPs, the next step is to find the available ISPs in your area. The most efficient way to do this is by using an ISP directory site.
These sites usually let you enter a ZIP code, or they can use your reported location or address. A prime example is ISP.com. If we enter the ZIP code for Beverly Hills, you’ll see a list of ISPs servicing that area.
It’s a good idea to do the exact search on multiple ISP directory sites. That way, you can ensure that you see all potential ISPs and that one site doesn’t show a better offer than another. In addition to ISP.com, we also tried allconnect.com and inmyarea.com, but there are many options. We found different ISPs reported for the same ZIP code between these three sites, so take your time and be thorough.
From there, you have to shortlist the ISPs that seem to have the best deals and then move on to researching how well they perform in real life.
2. Check Speed Ranking Sites
There are the speeds that an ISP claims it provides and then the speeds it offers. Internet speed ranking sites take the real-world test results submitted by users and aggregate them. This gives you a good idea of how well the service will perform.
For example, using Ookla’s Speed Index, you can check what the average real-world speed is in the USA for different ISPs, in other states, and by city. Another helpful site is Netflix’s ISP speed index, where you can check how well various ISPs perform worldwide when it comes to Netflix traffic. Just keep in mind that shaped data plans limit different types of internet data to different speeds.
3. Check Social Media or Ask Your Neighbors
When it comes to the “last mile” of internet connectivity, it can be effective to ask around your immediate surroundings simply. If you’ve just moved into a new apartment complex or closed estate managed by a management body, there may be limited choices when it comes to ISP. Asking your neighbors or the manager of the housing organization could be the quickest way to find out what your options are and which ones are best.
It’s not uncommon for people who live on the same block or in the same locality to form groups on social media or dedicated sites such as NextDoor. That makes these an excellent place to get tips on which ISPs are the best where you live from people who experienced the actual service.
Real-World Advertising
It’s also worth keeping an eye out in meatspace (that is, the real world) for posters, flyers, and other advertising around where you live. Sometimes small ISPs with excellent service advertise where they can assist. It’s easy to miss them on mainstream advertising platforms. If you keep your eyes and ears open while moving around your neighborhood, you’ve got a good chance of picking up on a great deal.
