5 questions to ask before switching your Internet

Ask these savvy questions and you'll have a better chance of finding an Internet provider (and plan) which is right for you.

So, you're thinking about switching your Internet service. For lots of us, a change in telco comes following a period of prolonged frustration.

Maybe your plan is too costly, your service is too patchy or your speeds are too slow. Whatever the reason, it can be easy to make a rash decision in the hopes of finding greener (or faster) pastures.

But before you jump in, there are a few questions you should be asking to give yourself the best chance of finding fast, affordable and stress-free Internet.

What are my household Internet habits?

First things first. You need to understand how your household uses the Internet. This will help you decide which plan will meet your needs and what hardware will work best.

Let's say you work from home, have a partner who loves online gaming and 2 kids who you can't seem to pry from their screens. An unlimited data plan and a router that allows for a strong Internet connection across several devices could help maintain a more harmonious household.

But, if you're living alone and mainly rely on your Internet to stream movies and keep up with social media, a basic package will probably suffice and save you some money.

Do I need new hardware?

Speaking of new routers, you'll also want to decide whether you're ready for some new hardware. Routers are only part of this – you may also want to consider a new modem and signal extenders.

Outdated routers can have a big impact on your Internet speed and strength so it may be worth investing in a newer model if you've been experiencing Internet issues.

If you live in a larger house, signal extenders can help your Internet reach the furthest points of your home, around corners and through walls.

On the other hand, if you're happy with your hardware and are just looking for a new plan, keep your eyes peeled for a provider that will allow you to BYO – this could also be a money saver.

For example, More offers customers a range of modem choices ranging from around $200 to $400. However, you can skip this step and bring your own for a big fat $0.

How much does it cost?

There's no hiding it, home Internet plans in Australia can be pretty pricey. We'd all choose the best package available if it was financially feasible, but that's just not the case.

Compare Internet plans carefully to see which one fits your budget and your needs. You should also look out for discounts or deals that may be on offer. These may come in the form of sign-up promotions, brand bundles or partnerships.

For example, More has a partnership with CommBank. So CommBank customers can get 30% off nbn plan prices.

That means More's XL Speed Boost NBN package (which offers unlimited data and typical evening speeds of 50Mbps) would be $53.90 a month instead of $77 a month. Not bad.

What support is available?

Even with the best Internet connection and top-of-the-range hardware, you might experience issues at some point. That's why it's important to consider the level, type and quality of support that you'll be able to access.

Does your provider have a call centre support line? An online chat? A call-back function? Does the company have decent reviews for customer service and resolutions?

It's all worth looking into ahead of time as you don't want to end up caught out and on a queue for over an hour trying to solve a simple problem.

Is the company sustainable?

If you're keen to make environmentally conscious decisions as a consumer, you'll want to check whether your telco provider is also taking steps towards sustainability.

Thankfully, we're seeing a number of brands roll out green initiatives. Mobile SIM provider felix plants 1 tree for every customer per month, Telstra's Exchange program facilitates ewaste recycling and More is certified as a carbon-neutral workforce.

Get 30% off your internet bill with CommBank and More nbn