In this age of technology, you can’t manage anything without the internet. Even something like grocery shopping has shifted online. As a student, it gets even harder to imagine life and studies without the internet. Projects, assignments, study material can all be accessed online so how is it possible to live without the internet? Where once students used libraries for their research work, now they have digital libraries and e-books for that. Even teachers and professors are taking advantage of this, and shifting to online platforms for their lectures and communication with students.
This switch to online platforms has further been enforced by the pandemic. So, naturally, the biggest question now is which internet is fast and reliable enough for students? Moreover, is it affordable for students? Usually, students have to deal with living expenses, semester fees, and much more with the little money they make doing part-time jobs. Thus, we have written this article to help students on this matter. Here, we have highlighted the reason why CenturyLink internet is the perfect option for students in every sense. Read on to find out more!
How to choose the best internet as a student?
Firstly, you will need to figure out your requirements for the internet. Every student has different requirements for the internet and thus, you will need to make a list of things you will use the internet for. It is obvious that you will not only use the internet for studies but entertainment as well so, here is a table highlighting the bandwidth needed for different activities.
Online Activity | Bandwidth Needed |
Streaming music | 0.5 Mbps |
Browsing, surfing the web | 1 Mbps |
Emailing and social media | 1 Mbps |
Video chat (Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, etc.) | 1.5 Mbps |
Online multiplayer gaming | 4 Mbps |
Streaming HD 4K videos | 25 Mbps |
Streaming HD videos | 5-8 Mbps |
Remote work/learning | Up to 25 Mbps |
Download large files | 10 Mbps |
So, there you have it. The bandwidth or the internet speed you need to do the tasks is as given above. Keep in mind that this is only for someone that lives alone. If you are living in a dorm with other students, then you have to calculate internet speed accordingly. Now, let’s look at the factors that affect the choice of internet for students.
Factors that affect the choice of internet for students
- Budget limits – For a student, options for the internet are limited as many conditions are dependent on their situation. It is just like how different people have different requirements and needs for the internet. One of the biggest factors affecting a student’s decision is the budget. Depending on their income source, expenditure rate, and savings, they need to make an appropriate and calculated decision that doesn’t go over their budget and meets their requirements at the same time. Oftentimes, students are confused regarding their need for internet speed and think that the more they have, the better it is for them. This is a big misunderstanding on their part and can lead them to overspend on the internet. To avoid this, you should properly research and educate yourself on the speeds required for different activities you perform throughout the day.
- Reliability of internet service providers – Reliability of the internet service provider is a big question for students, just as it is for other people. The frequency of internet outages and the response rate and time of the service provider to different issues of the internet all count as the reliability of ISP. To check this, you will need to check the reviews and ask around. The better the reviews for response rates, the better the reliability of the service provider. Naturally, you should opt for a reliable service provider even if it is a little more costly than an unreliable one as it’ll be easier and more convenient for you. If, however, the ISP is too costly for you, you should look for another plan from another ISP. After all, you might need to make last-minute submissions for assignments and projects and you don’t want to experience any internet issues at that time.
- Security of the internet – Security of the internet might not seem so important at first thought, but it is actually the opposite. Security does not just mean being safe from people stealing your data, but also from viruses and other threats. Naturally, you don’t want your laptop to crash on you while you are working. Viruses are often undetected until it is too late. They can also cause your internet to lag and your PC to slow down. Some ISPs offer free anti-virus software with their plans so that you can be safe from viruses and threats. Opt for plans like that to save yourself from any such threats.
- Availability of internet – Once again, your choice is narrowed down by the availability of the internet service provider in your area. It is often the case that you search online and find an affordable and reliable internet service near your location but later discover they don’t serve in your area. So, before anything, it is important to note down which service providers are serving in your area. That way, you will not be wasting your time and you know your options and search accordingly.
- Speed of the internet – This was highlighted in the section above as well. The speed of the internet should be determined using research and making a list of the things you might use the internet for. You should also keep in mind the number of people that will be using the internet.
- Type of connection – The type of connection is essentially what answers most of your questions regarding the speed, reliability, and security of the internet connection. There are many types of connections of the internet, but we will talk about the most common ones.
- Fiber: The fastest connection as compared to any other connection type. It is a great option even in terms of reliability and security. It’s the perfect internet but it can be costly for students so you will need to see if it fits your budget or not.
- Cable: In terms of reliability and security, it is a good option. Speed might not be the best as compared to fiber, but they are pretty good. The cost for this type of connection is also not too much to bear and is generally affordable.
- Satellite: Not the best, not the worst. Speed is slower than others and reliability is also sometimes, questionable. However, it is an affordable option and does get the job done depending mostly on your location.
- DSL: Just like satellite, this option is also affordable and is not the most speedy internet. It is somewhat reliable and is a good option for students with a lower budget limit.
CenturyLink plans
Now that we are done looking at the various factors affecting the internet, it is time to move on to the plans being offered by CenturyLink and see their details like speed, data allowance, and pricing. Attached below is a table of mentioned details and more regarding the CenturyLink plans.
Internet Plan | Connection type | Internet Speeds | Data Allowance | Pricing | Conditions |
CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet | DSL | Up to 100 Mbps | Unlimited | $50/mo. | Paperless billing or prepay requiredAdditional taxes, fees, and surcharges appliedSpeed availability subject to location |
CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit | Fiber | Up to 940 Mbps | Unlimited | $65/mo. | Paperless billing or prepay requiredAdditional taxes, fees, and surcharges applySpeed availability subject to location |
As you can see, CenturyLink offers great speeds at affordable rates which makes it the perfect internet for students. Moreover, if we were to look at the connection types, they are pretty reliable and secure so students don’t need to worry about paying extra for security. The first plan, Simply Unlimited Internet, is the perfect fit for students. The only box left to tick is the availability one and you can check that on our website. The DSL network for CenturyLink covers over 36 states currently and so, there is a high chance that it just might be available in your area.
Conclusion
That brings us to the end of the article. If you have made your decision about getting a CenturyLink internet plan, then all you need to do is go to BuyTVInternetPhone and enter your ZIP code to check availability, and get your internet plan today!
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