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These days, many of us work some or all of the time from home. We stream movies, TV series and documentaries from one or more streaming services; listen to music and podcasts online; and log on to play the latest video games. We ask Alexa to order a pizza for dinner or head into the kitchen to make our own meal with our smart appliances.
All this goes to say that modern life for many is heavily online and digital, which means that one of the top items on the list when someone moves into a new home is setting up an account with an internet service provider. But how much do consumers know about the fine details of the services ISPs provide? Below, 12 members of Forbes Technology Council share valuable information—both cautionary tales and little-known features—about ISP practices and services that many consumers don’t know (but should).
1. You Should Check The Fine Print For Fees And Changes
Often overlooked is that the price you initially pay for internet service may not be the final price. Many ISPs lure in customers with attractive promotional rates that eventually increase after a certain period, sometimes without clear communication. Also, add-ons, equipment rentals and additional fees can quickly inflate your monthly bill. Always check the fine print. - Marc Fischer, Dogtown Media LLC
2. ISPs Can Monitor Your Online Activity
ISPs have the ability to monitor and analyze users’ online activities, including the websites they visit, the content they access and even their location data. This information can be used for targeted advertising and data monetization and potentially be shared with third parties without users’ explicit consent. - Dmitry Mishunin, HashEx
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3. You Need To Know How Many Devices You Have Connected
When subscribing to a metered connection service (for example, cellular or satellite service), consumers need to be aware of how many personal, Internet of Things and automation devices they have connected. Often, these devices use bandwidth even when you think they’re powered off or idle. Too many unmanaged or unsupervised devices can lead to loss of service early in the month or an exceptionally high bill due to overages. - Robert Martin, Oil City Iron Works, Inc.
4. Your Personal Data May Not Be Protected
Internet service providers have the ability to gather and monitor extensive amounts of data from their users. This data includes information about the websites users visit, the applications they use, their location and other online activities. Internet service providers may utilize this data for marketing purposes and analytics or even share it with third parties without obtaining users’ consent. - Igor Pertsiya, Hypra Fund
5. You Have The Right To Question Your ISP About Adherence To Regulations
Consumers should always stay up to date on the current regulations and rules for their ISPs, both on the national and state levels. They shouldn’t be afraid to ask their ISP’s customer service team members hard questions, because they should know the current rules. Ultimately, consumers should know the importance of asking questions, because ISPs may share misleading data to achieve greater profitability. - WaiJe Coler, InfoTracer
6. You May Be Subject To Bandwidth Throttling
Consumers need to learn about bandwidth throttling, which happens when ISPs intentionally slow down internet speeds for certain activities, websites or users. Understanding this practice can help consumers make informed decisions about their internet service and advocate for net neutrality principles that ensure equal access to online content and services. - Sheraz Ahmed, STORM Partners
7. Your ISP May Provide Cybersecurity Services
Many consumers don’t know that their ISP may be an untapped resource when it comes to cybersecurity information and solutions. Most reputable ISPs provide low-cost security services that help their clients protect their networks, sensitive information and identities. - Mark Schlesinger, Broadridge Financial Solutions
8. Your IP Address Regularly Changes
ISPs’ practice of dynamic IP assignment is a fact that most people aren’t aware of. Your IP address often changes over time, and while this usually has a minimal impact on browsing, it can affect services that rely on a static IP. Understanding this can help you troubleshoot certain issues. - Sandro Shubladze, Datamam
9. Your Plan May Include Data Caps And/Or Usage Limits
ISPs can implement data caps or usage limits on internet plans, restricting the amount of data consumers can use within a certain period. These limitations can result in additional fees or reduced internet speeds once the cap is reached. Consumers should carefully review their internet service contracts and understand the potential limitations to make informed decisions. - Jagadish Gokavarapu, Wissen Infotech
10. You May Be Getting More Than You’re Paying For
An unobvious but impactful practice some ISPs engage in is “over-provisioning.” ISPs often supply a little extra bandwidth—about 10% to 20% more than the advertised speed—to help ensure customers receive their full purchased speed even during peak usage times or unforeseen hiccups. It’s like a secret buffer! You may want to run speed tests at different times to see if you’re actually getting more than what you’re paying for. - Andres Zunino, ZirconTech
11. Your ISP May Not Always Provide The Best Hardware
You should almost always upgrade the hardware your ISP delivers to you, with the one exception being the modem. Routers, extenders, signal boosters and so on should all be upgraded, since ISPs very rarely have the best tech. I was actually told this by an employee of a major ISP while they were installing internet service at my house. - Jordan Yallen, MetaTope
12. Not All Fiber Internet Is Created Equal
Fiber internet is often lauded as a superior option to cable, but consumers should know that not all fiber service is the same. The only fiber service that is superior to cable is “fiber to the home,” which ISPs rarely provide. Instead, they provide “fiber to the neighborhood”—essentially, shared fiber—which is only marginally faster than cable or, sometimes, just the same speed. Marketing “superior fiber internet” could simply be a money grab by ISPs. - AJ Abdallat, Beyond Limits