Can I Get My Own Internet In An Apartment?

When you move into a new apartment, one of the first concerns after unpacking the boxes is setting up your internet service because sooner or later, you would want to access social media, your email, or anything else on the World Wide Web. Some apartments usually come with

pre-installed Internet that you can easily get connected to, but what happens when you want to get an individual connection?

Can I get my own internet in an apartment? Yes, you can get your own personal internet connection. If you feel like your needs are not being met using the preferred ISP (Internet Service Provider) or your apartment does not provide this service, you can opt to set up a new ISP.

There are many conveniences of using the provided ISP in your apartment block, but it is not all smooth sailing Opting to use your own internet has its upsides and downsides as well. Here is an in-depth look at the various options and their merits and demerits

1. Using a preferred ISP

If you are on the fence about using the internet services already provided by a selected ISP in your building, here are some pros and cons to help you make up your mind:

Pros

• Using the preferred ISP is simply the easiest choice if it is readily available. You can get connected as soon as possible, and it saves you the need of having to find your own ISP.

• You won’t have to go through the process of installing internet services in your apartment or bear the cost of paying an installation company to do it for you.

• Many landlords typically include the charges for internet services in your monthly rent, so you don’t have to worry about setting up an entire budget for this utility.

• Even if your internet costs are not included in your rent, there are some apartment buildings that strive to make it convenient for you by investing in a pre-wired service offered at a discount by their preferred provider.

Cons

• As the tenant, you don’t have any say about the Internet Service Provider you get- In a building with pre-wired internet service, you are stuck with whichever provider your landlord invests in, no matter your reservations.

• The speed of the preferred ISP may not be ideal- The speeds that you get are not in your control either

• The price you pay for your pre-installed internet services is determined by the agreement that your landlord and ISP reach, so you have no input as a tenant.

• Since you are probably sharing internet services in an apartment building, the speeds are bound to slow down, especially when there are multiple tenants simultaneously using the internet.

2. Setting up a new ISP

Here are two aspects of setting up a new ISP to help you determine if it is a viable option:

Pros

• You are able to choose an ISP that you believe best suits your needs

• You also get control over the speeds you get.

• You can opt to go for an internet provider that supplies services at pocket-friendly prices

• Since you are exclusively using internet services, you don’t have to worry about issues such as too many people using the connection at once and slowing down your speeds.

Cons

• You will probably have to overcome many hurdles in order to add internet from another service provider. This is because there is already another provider using the main line to supply the rest of the apartment building with an internet connection, which means your provider will have to set up a new separate line.

• Your lease agreement may not allow you to set up a new line so you might have to confirm with your landlord before making any decisions.

• If payment for the preferred ISP is already included in your rent, you will end up paying for both services.

Factors to take into consideration before switching to a new ISP

1. Speed

If you just need the internet for social media use and email replying, then you probably don’t need lightning fast internet speeds. However, if you are a regular gamer or you stream content from the internet, fast and reliable speeds are important, especially if there are several users and devices in your apartment. Find out if the preferred ISP in your building offers reliable and fast enough before making the switch.

2. Cost

Switching to a new ISP means that you have to bear with the cost of the connection you receive from them. Go for providers that offer affordable prices and regular discounts and promotions in order to save some of your hard earned cash. If you are already paying for a service provider in your monthly rent, carefully consider whether you can afford to add a new ISP.

3. Availability

You may prefer a certain ISP, but if they are not available in your area due to limitations such as infrastructure, there is little you can do about it.

4. Latency

Latency refers to the time that it takes for data transfer to occur. If there is a significant delay when you load a page or in buffering a video, the issue might be the latency. This issue is usually brought about by many users simultaneously using the same connection, resulting in high bandwidth consumption. In this case, it might suit you best to seek an alternative to the preferred ISP.