Networking

There are few places in the country changing at the speed of Seattle. Its population grew 18.7% from 2010-2018, according to The Seattle Times, making it the fastest-growing city in the U.S. over that time. Along with the growth, the city wants to ensure that technology and infrastructure can keep up.Several internet providers serve the Seattle area to provide connectivity to everyone. The city of Seattle wants to make technology accessible to all as well, offering programs that provide discounted smartphones and free computer access. And residents who cannot afford home broadband service may qualify for low-cost internet access for as little as $10 per month through a city program. Take a closer look at the best Seattle internet providers.The four best internet providers in Seattle  CenturyLinkFrontier FiberWave BroadbandXfinityDefining traitBest Long-Term DealBest Speed OptionsBest Local ProviderBest BundlesConnection typeFiber and DSLFiberFiberBroadband CableDownload speeds (Mbps)100 Mbps940 Mbps50 Mbps500 Mbps940 Mbps100 Mbps1000 Mbps (1 GB)25 Mbps300 Mbps600 Mbps1000 Mbps (1 GB)Prices starting at$49 per month for life$29.99 per month$69.95 per month*$29.99 per monthContract lengthNone24 monthsNone12 monthsData capNoneNone100 Mbps plan, limited to 400 GB data cap1000 Mbps plan, unlimited data, although speed is throttled after 2 TB1 TB per month to unlimited, depending on the internet service planAll information accurate as of 02/26/2020.* Wave Broadband offers discounts, including $19.95/month for the first six months.

Best long-term deal

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CenturyLink offers unique internet services to Seattle customers. When you sign up for a plan, they’ll guarantee the same price “for life.” The Price For Life plan locks in your monthly price as long as you keep your plan current. Here’s more of what CenturyLink has to offer in Seattle.Price: Two high-speed internet plans of $49 and $65 per month are available. Either are guaranteed for as long as you keep the plan through the Price For Life offer.Speed and Data: CenturyLink’s $49 internet service plan provides speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Or you can opt for 940 Mbps download and upload speeds in the higher-priced plan.Plans/Packages: Add unlimited local and nationwide calling to the 100 Mbps internet plan for $85 per month.Contract Options: CenturyLink won’t require you to sign a long-term contract, but they do guarantee the price of your service plan as long as you keep it.

Best speed options

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Frontier Fiber is available in downtown Seattle, as well as Bellevue, Edmonds, Kirkland, Bothell, Lynnwood, Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Redmond.Price: Frontier has three pricing tiers of $29.99, $39.99 and $74.99 per month.Speed and Data: Frontier doesn’t cap data in any of its three internet plans, which come with 50 Mbps for the $29.99 per month plan, followed by 500 Mbps and 1000 Mbps (1 Gb) speeds.Plans/Packages: The Double Plan includes 500/500 Mbps Internet and FiOS TV (Basic) for $64.98 per month and the Triple Plan with Voice, Gig Connection internet and FiOS TV (Basic) for $109.98 per month.Contract Options: To lock in the best price, Frontier FiOS requires a 24-month contract.

Best local provider

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For an internet provider that knows all about the Seattle neighborhood you live in, Wave Broadband is a great choice. Wave offers local customer support 24/7 to provide help anytime you need. Wave also has a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy, you can cancel the service and receive a refund within the 30-day limit with no obligations.Price: Wave offers two service plans — High Speed 100 Internet is regularly $69.95 per month and GigaBit Internet is $99.95 per month. The internet provider has specials as low as $19.95 per month for the first six months for new subscribers.Speed and Data: Expect speeds of 100 Mbps when you sign up for the High Speed 100 Internet plan and 1,000 Mbps with the GigaBit Internet plan.Plans/Packages: Besides the two internet plans, you can create a TV bundle starting at $19.95/mo for six months. Add equipment, such as TiVo Streaming DVR, to personalize your TV bundle.Contract Options: Wave doesn’t lock customers into contracts. You can cancel at any time.

Best options

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Xfinity Comcast delivers cable internet to much of the Greater Seattle area, including downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Renton, Vashon and Kent.Price: Internet prices start at $29.99 per month for the Performance Starter Plus plan. You’ll get 25 Mbps download speeds and can add a Flex 4K streaming device for free.Speed and Data: Xfinity claims the Performance Starter Plus plan’s 25 Mbps is enough for one to two individuals online at once. Data is capped to 1 TB per month.Plans/Packages: Xfinity bundles high-speed Internet at various speeds from 25 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps with phone service and cable TV for $34.99 to $159.99 per month, depending on the cable channels.Contract Options: Internet service comes with a 12-month contract, while cable TV requires a 24-month commitment.

How we found the best internet providers in Seattle

We analyzed several companies to find the best internet companies in Seattle. Some of the key features we examined are:Coverage: Seattle and its suburbs are growing every day. We focused on internet providers with a wide coverage area to ensure that the plans and offers reviewed are available to most Seattle residents.Value: We weighed features such as speeds, data caps, bundles available and contract lengths to determine which internet providers in Seattle provide customers the most value for the monthly price.Customer Satisfaction. Consumer satisfaction ratings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and J.D. Power are an important part of the decision-making process on which services and products are the best. While internet service provider ratings are mediocre across the board, we analyzed each internet provider individually by comparing the company to industry averages.

How much speed do I need to stream music and movies?

The speed you need for streaming depends on how many people will be streaming at once in your household. A service plan of 1,000 Mbps would be ideal to avoid lag times, although 100 Mbps could work if more than one device isn’t streaming high-definition movies.

How fast is internet service in Seattle?

Seattle residents are in luck — fiber is available in most neighborhoods. Many in the area are likely to have access to high-speed internet service as fast as 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps).

Is fiber internet faster than broadband cable?

Yes, fiber is faster than broadband cable. Fiber-optic cable can carry more data faster and straight to your home. Broadband cable is shared with your neighbors — the more neighbors online, the slower your speed is likely to be. More

CenturyLink boasts two claims to fame: a generous menu of high-speed options, including fiber gigabit, and the ability to lock in a low rate for life. Both are exceptional in the DSL world. Even more impressive is the generous no-contract option for all DSL speeds up to 100Mbps. Few providers offer such attractive high-speed plans without a commitment on your end. To better understand these offerings, we spent over four weeks analyzing six popular plans and comparing them across the four largest DSL providers. We found a service that offers exceptionally high speeds, though your experience will ultimately depend on your connection and location.Pros:Low-cost Fiber Gigabit planA wide array of DSL speedsPrice for life on DSL plansCons:Limited bundling optionsMediocre customer service ratingsLow customer satisfaction scoresCenturyLink Internet plans and pricesLow-cost price for life plans without the contract.PlanPriceDownload/Upload SpeedsConnection TypeBest for1.5Mbps$49Up to 1.5MbpsDSLCasual Browsers10Mbps$49Up to 10MbpsDSLLight Streamers40Mbps$49Up to 40MbpsDSLLight online gamers60Mbps$49Up to 60MbpsDSLBinge-watchers100Mbps$49Up to 10MbpsDSLHouse of MultitaskersFiber Gigabit$65Up to 940/940MbpsFiberMega UsersData effective 02/05/20

* Package availability depends on location, prices may vary. For more details on these plans click here to learn more from our partner site, Allconnect.Fiber plans, speed and dataCenturyLink offers one fiber plan: Fiber Gigabit. At a highly competitive $65 per month, this fully unlimited Fiber Gigabit plan is one of the cheapest gigabit offers we’ve seen on the market. The catch? Unlike other CenturyLink plans, Fiber Gigabit is not price-for-life, meaning it will increase over time. Although CenturyLink doesn’t provide any specifics around the rate change, most gigabit plans — such as Verizon’s Fios Gigabit — start around $80, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see this service follow suit. Even with an eventual price hike, the starting offer makes this gigabit plan a steal for larger households looking to stream, game, and download across dozens of devices.DSL plans, speed, and dataAs far as DSL internet goes, CenturyLink offers an array of speeds ranging from 1.5Mbps to 100Mbps. While the majority of people will experience somewhat slower speeds, between 10 to 40Mbps, these virtually unlimited no-contract plans are more than enough for a family of users looking to surf the web, watch videos, and play games online without having to endure long load times or worry about going over a data cap.Price for lifeCenturyLink offers a price lock on all speeds up to 100Mbps for as long as you remain with them. This offer is pretty much unmatched among DSL providers — and among internet providers in general — and could be extremely valuable if you are looking to keep your costs low for the long haul.Who is each plan best for?1.5Mbps: Best for a single user with 1-2 devices10Mbps: Best for a single user with 3-4 devices40Mbps: Best for two users user with up to 5 devices60Mbps: Best for three users with up to 6 devices100Mbps: Best for four users with up to 8 devicesFiber Gigabit: Best for 5+ users with 10+ devicesHow fast is CenturyLink Internet?In the FCC’s latest report, CenturyLink’s actual speeds were lagging behind its advertised speeds, with 80% of panelists only receiving 77.9% of their advertised download speed, well below other providers like AT&T and Verizon. These findings align with the low Performance and Reliability score from J.D. Power’s Satisfaction Study; however, it’s worth noting that the FCC only tested CenturyLink speeds up to 40Mbps in this report. Fiber-based connections often have a greater consistency in speed and performance.Internet availabilityWidely available DSL plans with a growing fiber network.With availability across 35 states, CenturyLink provides high-speed internet in all four major regions of the U.S., with the greatest coverage in the West. Although most CenturyLink customers will be limited to a DSL connection, the company is working on expanding the fiber network, which is currently limited to 18 cities. Use our zip tool to check if your address is serviceable.Other factors to considerSimple equipmentSimple equipment, with the ability to opt-out to avoid the monthly fee.The type of modem, and its costs, will depend on your speed and connection type, though most range from $10-15 per month. To avoid shelling out $120 per year on equipment fees, we recommend either purchasing the modem upfront ($100) or using your own. The upfront cost may seem like a lot, but it will ultimately save you hundreds of dollars after the first year. Should you choose to opt-out of CenturyLink’s equipment entirely, make sure your router is compatible. If you only have a fiber-dedicated connection available, your old DSL modem may not be able to deliver the speeds you’re paying for.Notable feesEquipment lease fee: Up to $15/mo.*Professional installation fee: Up to $125*Self-installation fee: $50 shipping/handling**Sometimes waived for online ordersNo TV bundlesCenturyLink is extremely limited in its bundling options, offering only one: internet and unlimited nationwide home phone. Given that providers like AT&T and Verizon offer their own TV service, or at the very least, offer some discount with partnered providers, CenturyLink falls considerably short. However, it’s not all bad news. With an internet connection and a compatible streaming device, CenturyLink users can look into one of the many TV streaming services that are often cheaper than traditional TV packages. Mediocre customer service ratingsCustomers of any telecom provider know the industry’s customer service could use some work — including CenturyLink. It’s received low-to-middling feedback from customers across review sites and in third-party surveys. ACSI’s 2019 report and recent J.D. Power rankings both place CenturyLink below other big names like AT&T and Comcast Xfinity when it comes to customer experience. If you value customer service over the price and speed of your internet connection, you may want to look elsewhere. More

The major positives uncovered during the Earthlink internet review were no data caps, speeds up to 1GB, and several different plans to choose from. Additionally, the faster plans were notably cheaper compared with other major service providers.Like most providers, though, the company doesn’t offer service in all areas of the country. Even in the states where service is advertised, not all cities have coverage. And even in the cities that make the service list, some addresses don’t offer service. But if you contact customer support, a technician can run a test to tell you what’s available in your area in a matter of minutes.Overall, EarthLink looks to be a decent ISP option, depending on where you live and what types of speed you’re looking for.EarthLink internet overviewIn general, the reviews on EarthLink internet are a bit mixed. While the company does have an ok rating of a B with the Better Business Bureau, a quick search for company complaints turns up a decent-sized list of unhappy customers. While it’s common to see polarized reviews that only show the over-the-top good or bad experiences, it’s still something to take note of to consider.Additionally, the number of states serviced is a bit misleading. While the company has active pages for 47 of the 50 states, it doesn’t mean there’s blanket coverage across the state. In fact, a lot of the states leave you hard-pressed to find any cities that offer service, even though the page claims service in the state.Pros:Fast internet speeds: Solutions for residential and business customers looking for fast internet speedsCustomizable plans: Customizable plans and no teaser rates, ensuring no billing surprises down the lineNo data caps: No data caps or throttling based on data usageCons:Service is not available in all statesService is not available in all cities in the states servicedLower-speed plans are more expensive than some competitorsAvailabilityEarthLink internet plans and pricesPlanDownload SpeedPriceNumber of Devices Supported110Mbps$  49.95 N/A230Mbps$  59.95 N/A380Mbps$  69.95 N/A4100Mbps$  79.95 N/A5200Mbps$  89.95 N/A61000Mbps$  99.95 N/A*Data accurate as of 9/21/2020EarthLink speeds and data capsPlan Upload SpeedDownload SpeedData Cap1Not listed10MbpsNo Cap2Not listed30MbpsNo Cap3Not listed80MbpsNo Cap4Not listed100MbpsNo Cap5Not listed200MbpsNo Cap6Not listed1000MbpsNo Cap*Date effective as of 9/21/2020EarthLink estimated speeds

When it comes to the speeds of EarthLink internet, your options depend heavily on where you live. In some areas, you can get upwards of 1000Mbps, which is on par with the “Gig” internet speed options many companies advertise. While EarthLink is very forthcoming with download speeds, you won’t find upload speeds listed for any of the available plans, which isn’t ideal.Overall, the faster plans are on par with the rest of the industry. For people who want to save on internet costs and don’t need much speed, it’s nice to see some slower plans available. But the higher-tiered options aren’t available everywhere, which is disappointing.Data capsOne nice thing to see during the EarthLink reviews is the company has no data caps on any of the accounts. Additionally, there is no throttling of accounts, which lowers speeds for heavy data users. Out of everything we looked at during the review, EarthLink’s data policy was the biggest highlight.Our picks for EarthLink internet plan1000Mbps plan: Best for gamers and video streaming100Mbps plan: Best middle-of-the-road optionEarthLink internet highlightsContracts and feesEarthLink’s website does not detail minimum contract lengths. Additionally, you’ll need to go through an extensive service check and pre-sign up with the company’s customer support to learn what contractual options are available in your area. Based on past reviews and the lack of advertising for month-to-month plans, it’s safest to assume that most geographical areas require at least a one-year service contract.To learn more about the true cost of internet service, make sure to check out guides on hidden costs and calculating the cost of an ISP.Notable fees:Early termination fee: If you cancel your service early, you may be subject to the fee outlined in your service agreement.Variable equipment fees: Those who need a modem or other internet service devices are available through the company for an additional charge.Customer serviceWhile internet reviews can be polarized, a quick look at the BBB complaints website did show several recent issues from customers on a myriad of different issues. However, it looks like the company is active on the forum and has responded to every complaint with some attempt to rectify the situation.If you need help as a customer of EarthLink, there are several helpful ways to get assistance. EarthLink provides 24/7 phone support, live online chat, and helpful FAQs and self-help guides to assist with the most common issues.Additional featuresYou can get some nice additional features with your plan. These include up to eight traditional email addresses, up to 10 anonymous email addresses, automatic antivirus protection, spam protection, and a customizable internet homepage to enhance your overall experience.

Is EarthLink internet any good?

Answering the question of whether EarthLink internet is any good depends on what you’re looking for. For customers looking for the fastest internet, the company delivers. Speeds are available up to 1GB (1000Mbps), and the associated price in the areas checked is competitive with other major providers.However, EarthLink’s internet plans don’t seem quite as valuable at slower speeds. Other providers offer similar or cheaper plans for the same speeds.The company also offers a host of additional services that may be helpful for businesses. These include things like website design, custom branding, reputation management, and free business listings. While you might be better off sourcing these services individually from a company specialising in the service, the options are there if you’re looking for a true one-stop-shop.

What is EarthLink’s best plan, and how much does it cost?

The best plan available from EarthLink is the HyperLink (1000Mbps) plan. With speeds on par with other companies “Gig” plans, you can get blazing fast download speeds for under $100.

Where is EarthLink available?

EarthLink advertises services in 47 states across the United States. While this may seem great on the surface, this doesn’t mean blanket coverage in each state. In fact, in some of the states where service is advertised, it’s challenging to find any cities currently offering coverage.Additionally, a spot check of some of the advertised cities showed addresses without coverage.

What is EarthLink HyperLink Internet?

 EarthLink’s HyperLink internet is the company’s fastest internet plan. With upload speeds of up to 1000Mbps (1GB), the internet plan is on par with the fastest options at other major providers. The HyperLink plan may be a great option for people who use a lot of bandwidth.

Is EarthLink internet DSL — cable or fiber?

EarthLink offers dial-up service, DSL service, and fiber optic internet connections. The types of service offered vary by location, and you will need to contact the company’s support team to see what types of internet (if any) are available in your area. More

Kansas is a diverse state with a combination of both dense urban areas and sprawling plains. It can be difficult to find an internet provider that reaches your area at an affordable price with such varied geography. But finding the best Kansas internet providers doesn’t need to be a headache. This guide will help you select the best internet company in Kansas for your family.  Here’s a summary of our top picks for the best internet service provider in Kansas:Comcast XfinityAT&TCenturyLinkSpectrumDefining traitBest customer ratingsBest fiber optionsBest contract termsBest TV bundlesConnection typeCable, FiberDSL, FiberDSL, FiberCableDownload speeds (Mbps)25Mbps100Mbps200Mbps300Mbps600Mbps1000Mbps100Mbps300Mbps1000Mbps100Mbps940Mbps200Mbps400Mbps·  940MbpsPrices starting at$20/mo.  $50/mo.  $49/mo.  $49.99/mo.  Contract length12 Months12  MonthsNone12 MonthsData capUp to 1TB/mo.Up to 1TB/mo.  Up to 1TB/mo.  None

Best customer ratings

Comcast Xfinity gets the top spot on our list due to overwhelmingly positive customer reviews across the board. J.D. Power’s U.S. Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study ranks the provider #1 in the region, getting a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in overall satisfaction and several other areas. The one category that Comcast Xfinity really lags behind in is the cost of service; customers find that the pricing is a bit high for the service provided. Ultimately, it’s up to you as to whether excellent customer service is worth paying a bit more each month.There is also a great range of package options available through Comcast Xfinity. Internet-only services include six different speeds, allowing you to carefully choose which service you need and what you can afford with your current budget. There are also packages available with a TV and a landline.Features:Price: $20/mo., $40/mo., $50/mo., $60/mo., $70/mo., or $80/mo.Speed and Data: 25Mbps, 100Mbps, 200Mbps, 300Mbps, 600Mbps, or 1000MbpsPlans/Packages: Internet only, internet + TV, internet + TV + landlineContract Options: 12 months

Best fiber option

AT&T

AT&T comes in at a close second to Comcast Xfinity in the J.D. Power U.S. Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study. The provider also gets a 5-star overall satisfaction score, and the cost of service (where Comcast Xfinity fell behind) receives a perfect 5 stars. However, customers rate AT&T as less than reliable; the company only receives 3 stars in performance and reliability.At $70/month, AT&T offers the best value in fiber internet for super speeds of up to 1000Mbps. Just keep in mind that this service isn’t available everywhere in Kansas, so you should check with AT&T to see if your address is serviced. You also have the option to bundle internet with TV and/or a landline if you so desire.Features:Price: $50/mo. or $70/mo.Speed and Data: 100Mbps, 300Mbps, or 1000MbpsPlans/Packages: Internet only, internet + TV, internet + TV + landlineContract Options: 12 months

Best contract terms

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CenturyLink is the only Kansas internet provider on our list to offer service without a contract. Internet service is available on a month-to-month basis, so you won’t have to commit to 12 or even 24 months like some competitors.In terms of ratings, CenturyLink scores a bit below average on the American Consumer Satisfaction Index, receiving a score of 62 out of 100 compared to the nationwide average of 64. The provider didn’t make the list for the J.D. Power study in the region and only receives a D rating from the Better Business Bureau.Features:Price: $49/mo. or $65/mo.Speed and Data: 10Mbps or 940MbpsPlans/Packages: Internet only, internet + TV, internet + TV + landlineContract Options: No contracts

Best for bundles

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Spectrum is a widely available provider in Kansas with three different speed options, ranging from 200Mbps to 940Mbps. Internet service on its own tends to be a bit pricier than competitors, with top speeds running upwards of $109.99/mo. However, the real value comes in when you bundle with a TV service or a landline. Customers who sign up for multiple services can benefit from free HD channels and unlimited phone service.Spectrum receives an average 3-star rating from the J.D. Power U.S. Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, with the cost of service ranking the highest in all areas. Unfortunately, the provider’s BBB score is shockingly low; it receives an F rating and is not accredited.Features:Price: $49.99/mo., $69.99/mo., or $109.99/mo.Speed and Data: 200Mbps, 400Mbps, or 940MbpsPlans/Packages: Internet only, internet + TV, internet + TV + landlineContract Options: 12 months

How we found the best internet provider in KansasIntro sentence explaining that there were a few key features we looked for:Coverage. Kansas is a large and diverse state, and it’s hard to find an internet provider that services all areas. We opted to evaluate providers with the most widespread coverage for cable and DSL as well as fiber.Value. Each provider offers different kinds of value, so one might be preferable over the other depending on your needs. We assessed the pros and cons of each service type and contract and compared it to the advertised price.Customer Satisfaction. To get an unbiased look at customer reviews, we compiled data from J.D. Power, the American Consumer Satisfaction Index, and the Better Business Bureau, among other sources.

Which providers offer the best internet service in Kansas?

Comcast Xfinity, AT&T, CenturyLink, and Spectrum are all great choices for internet providers in Kansas.

Can I get fiber internet in Kansas?

Many of the top internet service providers in Kansas provide fiber-optic internet as an option, but only in some geographic areas. Check with each provider to see if your home has access to a fiber connection.

What is the cheapest internet provider in Kansas?

Comcast Xfinity offers the cheapest overall internet service in Kansas, with low-speed internet plans starting at $20/month.

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Looking for the best internet providers in Memphis? We have you covered. However, with Tennessee coming in below the national average of 18.7 Mbps for internet speed, it can be challenging to find the ideal internet connection in Memphis. In this review, we’ll go over the plans and pricing available from the top three Memphis internet companies and explain how each company differs to help you choose the best internet service for your home.  Here is a look at our top picks for the best internet service provider in Memphis:AT&TXfinityEarthLinkDefining traitTop-rated providerMost flexible plansBest contract termsConnection typeDSL, FiberCable, FiberDSL, FiberDownload speeds (Mbps)100Mbps300Mbps1000Mbps25Mbps100Mbps200Mbps300Mbps600Mbps1000Mbps15Mbps30Mbps80Mbps100Mbps200Mbps1000MbpsPrices starting at$50/mo.   $20/mo.  $49.95/mo.  Contract length12 Months12 Months12 MonthsData capUp to 1TB/ mo.Up to 1TB/ mo.None

Top-rated provider

AT&T

AT&T is the award recipient of the 2019 J.D. Power U.S. Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study. The provider nets perfect “Among The Best” five-star reviews in all aspects of the study, including overall satisfaction, cost of service, billing, and customer service. The provider’s fiber-optic plan comes in cheaper than competitor Comcast Xfinity’s comparable plan at just $70 per month.In addition to stellar reviews by J.D. Power, AT&T is also ranked second by the American Consumer Satisfaction Index. The company comes in just one point behind Verizon Fios, with an overall score of 69 out of 100, with the average for all providers being 62.Features:●  Price: $50 or $70 per month●  Speed and Data: 100Mbps, 300Mbps, or 1000Mbps●  Plans/Packages: Internet only, internet + TV, internet + TV + landline●  Contract Options: 12 months

Most flexible plans

Customers love Comcast Xfinity for its performance and reliability. The 2019 U.S. Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study by J.D. Power gave the provider five out of five stars in this area and a four-star overall rating and additional “Better Than Most” reviews in overall satisfaction and communications.Aside from this, plan flexibility is a great perk provided by Comcast Xfinity. There are six different speeds available in Memphis, from 25Mbps for just $20 per month to lightning-fast 1000Mbps fiber service for a respectable $80 per month. You’ll also find opportunities to bundle and save with other Comcast Xfinity services like TV and landline phone.Features:●  Price: $20, $40, $50, $60, $70, or $80 per month●  Speed and Data: 25Mbps, 100Mbps, 200Mbps, 300Mbps, 600Mbps, or 1000Mbps●  Plans/Packages: Internet only, internet + TV, internet + TV + landline●  Contract Options: 12 months

Best contract terms

Although the provider only offers internet services, EarthLink still provides plenty of options for both DSL and fiber internet plans. Although you might find they’re a bit pricier than competitors, speeds start as low as 12 Mbps and go up to 1,000 Mbps. We do like EarthLink because, unlike AT&T and Comcast Xfinity, the provider doesn’t put data caps on internet customers.EarthLink gets an A rating and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Since the provider is fairly regional, it’s not included in J.D. Power or the American Consumer Satisfaction Index ratings.Features:●  Price: $49.95, $59.95, $69.95, $79.95, or $99.95 per month●  Speed and Data: 15Mbps, 30Mbps, 80Mbps, 100Mbps, 200Mbps or 1000Mbps●  Plans/Packages: Internet only●  Contract Options: 12 months

How we found the best internet provider in MemphisMany reviews of Memphis internet providers are biased, so we looked at trusted data to develop a factual analysis of each provider. Here are the indicators we used:●  Coverage. There’s nothing more frustrating than researching an internet provider, only to find out they don’t provide service at your address. That’s why we only included internet providers in Memphis that cover the vast majority of the city and surrounding area.●  Value. One common pitfall with internet service is that you don’t always get what you pay for. We made sure each top provider offers a balance of speed, service, and contract terms for the price.●  Customer Satisfaction. J.D. Power, the American Consumer Satisfaction Index, and the Better Business Bureau all assess customer satisfaction with their internet provider. We looked at data and reviews from each of these organizations to evaluate how happy current customers are with their internet service.

What are the best internet providers in Memphis?

With each customer’s needs varying depending on numerous factors, taking time to compare each company can help indicate which provider is best for you. After much research, we found that AT&T, Comcast Xfinity, and EarthLink are the best Memphis internet providers based on data and reviews.

How much does internet service in Memphis cost?

Internet service in Memphis starts at $20 per month for low speeds and can go up to $100 per month for fiber internet. How much you spend on internet service will depend on your internet connection speeds, location, and provider terms.

Is fiber internet available in Memphis?

Fiber optic internet with up to 1000Mbps download speed has arrived in Memphis. However, it’s not available in all areas. You’ll have to check with individual providers to see where service is available. More

Detroit has 4.3 million residents in the metropolitan area, which makes it one of the largest urban regions in the country. That’s good news for you if you’re looking for an internet service provider (ISP) since quite a few providers service the area. You can find a broad range of plans available for fiber-optic, cable, DSL, and satellite connections, similar to other large cities in the U.S. Finding your best Detroit ISP involves looking at multiple factors. We’ll review the top Detroit ISPs here and suggest the options that might work best for a variety of users.  Here are the best internet providers in Detroit Summed up:AT&TComcast (Xfinity)HughesNetDefining traitBest customer serviceWidest range of plansBest satelliteConnection typeDSL and fiber (partial fiber coverage)CableSatelliteDownload speeds (Mbps)Up to 100Mbps (DSL); up to 940Mbps (fiber) Up to 1000MbpsUp to 25MbpsPrices starting at$40$39.99$59.99Contract length12 months12 months24 monthsData capUnlimited (DSL); 1 TB (fiber)1 TBDepends on plan

Best customer service

AT&T

AT&T has extensive coverage via DSL and, in some areas, fiber-optics. If you’ve got a phone connection, you will be able to access the company’s DSL network. AT&T’s fiber-optic network also includes parts of Detroit — you’ll have to find out if your address is covered by talking to a customer service rep or inputting your complete address online. AT&T scores well above average in rankings by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), with 69 points — that’s a good sign in an industry not known for stellar customer service. It also scores well with J.D. Powers, ranking a very close second in the organization’s 2019 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study listing. AT&T offers some great introductory prices you can lock into for one year. Even though it is common for most ISPs to raise prices after introductory periods, the AT&T rates go up pretty significantly. Also, the company does not include some supplementary fees, from equipment rental to taxes, which may leave you feeling nickel-and-dimed to death. Features:Price: $40 – $79.99 (introductory pricing, one year contract)Speed and Data: download speeds of 25 – 940Mbps; 1TB data cap (fiber), unlimited DSLPlans/Packages: fiber-optic internet + TV/Phone/Wireless, 1TB data cap, $40/monthContract Options: one year

Widest range of plans

With six basic internet plans, including a fast 1000Mbps option, as well as the opportunity to bundle your choice of Xfinity TV, Xfinity Voice, and two home security options, you’ll be able to customize a plan that best suits your needs. Xfinity’s prices are reasonable, too, though, as with most ISPs, your rates increase after your one-year commitment is up. Xfinity’s customer service is about average. It scores 61 on the ACSI scale, one point below the industry average of 62, and consumerreports.org names Xfinity as a “big name in need of big improvement” in its Customer Service Buying Guide.  That said, if you need a fast connection for gaming, HD streaming, or video conferencing, Xfinity is an excellent choice. In fact, Speedtest.net rates Xfinity as the fastest internet provider in the U.S. for 2018. Features:Price: $20 – $80Speed and Data: download speeds of 25 – 1000MbpsPlans/Packages: starter package with 25Mbps for $20 for the first year; $53 afterwards ($10 discount for autopay brings it to $43, though); includes free self-install kit and Flex 4 K streaming device, plus voice remoteContract Options: one year

Best satellite options

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A satellite internet connection will never out-perform more high-tech options like fiber-optics, but if you’re located in a neighborhood that doesn’t have broadband access, it can be a lifesaver. HughesNet Gen5 satellite network is available throughout the U.S., and the company offers four no-frills internet plans with a contract period of two years — twice as long as our other top choices. It doesn’t nickel-and-dime you to death with additional fees, and sometimes you will see a tempting introductory rate if you’re a new customer. All plans come with built-in WiFi service and a bonus of 50GB of additional data per month. The catch? You need to use additional time during non-peak hours of 2 – 8 a.m. On the plus side, according to the FCC, HughesNet is modest in its speed claims: a 2018 FCC report on broadband performance in the U.S. showed HughesNet providing almost twice as much download bandwidth as it advertised. Features:Price: $59.99 – 149.99Speed and Data: download speeds up to 25MbpsPlans/Packages: range from 10GB to 50GB of data, with a bonus pack of 50GB additional — but for only a few hours a dayContract Options: 2 years

How we found the best internet providers in DetroitWe spent a great deal of time scouring ISP websites to find data for this report. We also looked at rankings for ISPs with federal and non-profit organizations and checked out consumer reviews at the BBB and other watchdog groups.Coverage. We were looking for providers who had the most saturation in the city, and thus were available to most residents of Detroit and its suburbs. AT&T DSL was the winner here, though our other choices also work for most Detroit addresses. Fiber-optics are still sparse throughout the country, which was true of Detroit, but AT&T’s fiber network does include parts of Detroit. HughesNet offers satellite coverage that is steady and always on, if not available, at the highest speeds for those on the outskirts of the city or in more rural areas.Value. Of course, you want to pay as little as possible for your internet access, and that can be a tricky proposition. Many ISPs list a temptingly low introductory price and then slam you with smaller but still considerable fees for installation, equipment rental, and taxes. The introductory rate is likely to disappear after your first year, too. Xfinity gave us the broadest range there, but your rates will vary depending on your needs and the package you choose. One takeaway: speed costs more. If you, like many people, use the internet mainly to check email, scan your social media, and watch the occasional Netflix special, you can generally get by with a lower-end plan.Customer Satisfaction. We look at customer satisfaction ratings from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and J.D. Power. The caveat here is internet service providers, as a whole, have pretty dismal ratings for customer service. Consumer Reports rates the industry near the bottom of its Customer Service Rating List. The internet is rampant with tales of customers on hold for hours or made to deal with surly representatives. In looking at the rankings, we weighed each company against the industry averages. Our choices all featured near the tops of most lists (although HughesNet, being a smaller company, is not as widely rated). 

How do I get connected to the internet in Detroit?

You’ll want to do your homework — start by reading our coverage of the best internet service providers in Detroit. Think about how heavily you use the internet, and this will give you a good idea of the right plan for you.If you’re not sure, check out our chart of what constitutes light, medium, and heavy internet use.

Why is download speed important?

Most people download files — from movies to large photos — more than they upload, so the download speed is a good indicator of the overall speed of your connection. Plus, for most home internet set-ups, the download speed is considerably more than the upload speed, so ISPs like this as an indicator of the quality of their network.

Who has the cheapest Internet in Detroit?

Of the Detroit ISPs we looked at, Comcast Xfinity had the cheapest rate at $20 for 20Mbps for the first year. Your rate will depend on how you use the internet. If you’re a heavy multiplayer gamer or spend your evenings watching HD Netflix videos, you’ll pay more — probably in the three digits — for the speed you need.

Can I install an internet connection by myself?

Yes, most ISPs offer a self-install kit if you’re getting a DSL or cable installation and already have the wiring available in your home. If you’re going with a fiber-optic connection or don’t have phone or cable wires coming to your home, you’ll need to have a professional installation, which may cost as much as $125. More

Cellular connectivity in the enterprise has been hyped for more than a decade, but it had largely flopped because WiFi has remained the only viable option for wireless. Older versions of cellular, such as 3G and 4G, didn’t have the necessary speed or ease of deployment to compete with WiFi, even though the latter does have reliability problems. Many industry analysts, myself included, look at 5G as a game-changer, because standards such as CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) bring speeds that exceed WiFi with the reliability of cellular. Some businesses will choose to deploy the technology themselves, but many will defer to a managed service because of a lack of familiarity. 5G is fundamentally different than 4G and every other version of wireless because it is the first cloud-era technology standard in networking. It uses modern software-defined principles, strict policy enforcement, and cloud-native microservices. With the latest advancements in this space, organizations have the opportunity to deploy private 5G (P5G) networks that are specifically customized for their business and highly adaptable to changes; however, a lack of best practices could create some risk, and managed services de-risk deployment. NTT launches managed private 5G service using Celona Telecom provider NTT has launched the first globally available private P5G Network-as-a-Service platform that can be deployed via cloud, on-premises, or at the edge. The platform is pre-integrated with an end-to-end stack of services from various network and software partners, giving enterprises flexibility when implementing it.The primary 5G provider for this service is Celona Networks, a startup that developed an enterprise-class P5G that configures, and is managed, like WiFi. The technology uses a technique called MicroSlicing, which is based on a 5G multi-tenancy principle in which a single physical infrastructure has multiple tenants or slices. MicroSlicing automatically enforces and tracks key service levels, including latency, jitter, and packet error rates. This allows applications to perform over a wireless network much as they would over a wired network.The P5G platform goes beyond connectivity to help organizations build highly agile enterprise networks, NTT’s Shahid Ahmed told ZK Research in an interview. Ahmed recently joined NTT as Executive Vice-President of New Ventures and Innovation to lead the company’s P5G service portfolio. The portfolio includes a rich ecosystem of network and edge devices.NTT will offer public/private 5G roaming “Out of the gate, we’ll be offering public-private roaming. That’s a key use case for many of the transportation logistics companies, but also increasingly for warehouses,” Ahmed said. “Whether they’re using a phone or a RealWear (wearable industrial) device when performing a complex task or workflow in a warehouse, we’re going to work with our third-party partners to enable digital transformation for that frontline worker.”

NTT is taking a subscription-based approach with the platform, rather than a pay-per-use approach. Organizations will have cost certainty by choosing different tiers of service based on the network design and their needs, similar to Amazon Web Services. The intention is to provide organizations with an end-to-end solution that offers full visibility and administration of P5G networks, said Parm Sandhu, Vice-President of Enterprise 5G Products and Services at NTT. Using the platform, chief information officers and IT administrators can control items such as policy management, security management, and configuration management—all from a single self-service portal.Security intrinsic to NTT solution Security is another major factor why some compliance-driven industries might prefer an end-to-end solution. Health care, for example, has strict regulations for how data moves around the network. To meet the needs of those organizations, NTT’s P5G platform uses zero-trust network access (ZTNA) principles to secure access to applications and services both on-premises and in the cloud. With ZTNA, access to network resources is tightly managed and various restrictions can be applied down to the app level.”Security must be built into network design,” Sandhu said. “There’s no way a telco is going to integrate any kind of authentication into the land network an enterprise is using. So, there are some really exciting future things we’re going to be doing by bringing 5G into the enterprise.”It’s important to understand that P5G should not be viewed as a replacement for WiFi–at least not yet, because the number of WiFi-connected devices dwarfs 5G-capable ones. Businesses should look at augmenting their WiFi deployment with P5G and use it when network reliability is a must. Manufacturing, health care, facilities, and factories are great examples. Also, many of the IoT devices that will be used to ensure that the workplace is safe should use P5G, but the typical knowledge worker use case is fine using WiFi. NTT’s managed service can help organizations plan where best to use the two technologies.The promise of cellular as an enterprise technology has been on the horizon, but the hype never lived up to the reality. The most recent version of cellular, 5G, has been completely redesigned to address a world where everything is connected, making it something all businesses should consider. More

It’s Not a Passing Phase; It’s a LifestyleIf you dream of freely traveling between sandy beaches and snow-capped mountains, you’ll be happy to know others have made it a reality. Digital nomads are taking the internet by storm and inspiring millions with their alternative lifestyles. Technology allows them to work and live a location-independent lifestyle while still supporting themselves. MBO Partners found that 4.8 million independent workers identify themselves as digital nomads, while another 17 million aspire to be at some point.There is no cookie-cutter person who’s best suited for a nomadic lifestyle. The population varies by socio-economic class, profession, and generation. That said, the data generally skews toward males. It’s reported that only one-third of location-independent workers are women. In this article, we explore the life of a female digital nomad, how their experience is different, and what role technology plays in their life. Instead of just telling you about it, we took the time to talk to the experts: female digital nomads.Common jobs for digital nomadsA digitally nomadic way of life is a growing trend welcomed by most industries in the workforce. Make no mistake; digital nomads work hard for a living. It just looks different than a 9-to-5 corporate job. While not all industries are compatible, there are still plenty of jobs available. Marta, the founder of A Girl Who Travels, suggests that anyone interested in becoming a nomad secure a job before starting on their journey. She said, “start your connections and network as much (both online and off) as much as possible.” Some common jobs for nomads include:4.8 million independent workers identify themselves as digital nomads, while another 17 million aspire to be at some point.Running your own blogFreelance copywriter or editorSoftware engineerTeacher or online tutorOnline marketing or social media managementIllustration or graphic designIf you don’t work remotely for a company and want to go down the freelance path, use resources like Fiverr and Upwork to flaunt your skills and find something that works for you! Another option is PowerToFly, which gives women access to jobs, career advice, video training, and coaching. “If you want to start your digital nomad journey soon and don’t have time to learn an entirely new line of work right now, start by freelancing while you figure out what it is you really want to do,” suggested travel blogger Katie Diederichs. “Freelance work is great when you’re first starting because it’s not a big commitment, and it can help you test the waters of working remotely without making a huge leap.” Meet the fierce female nomadsCarolin Pilligrath, travel writer and marketing strategist
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Founder of Breathing Travel and Breathing Retreats, Carolin is a marketing consultant and digital nomad. Traveling around the world since 2014, she described sitting in her apartment in Frankfurt, Germany and realizing there must be more from life. “I never hated my job; what I disliked was the lifestyle of getting up in the dark, coming home from work in the dark. Winter and cold are not something I liked much either.” 

When asked what being a nomad means to her, Carolin said, “It means ultimate freedom, getting up and ‘going to work’ when I want to. Taking time off over lunch, going for a swim in the ocean and heading to a new country when I want, not when work permits me to go. Life shouldn’t be all about work and building someone else’s dream; I want to build my own dreams.”Jayme Serbell, co-founder of Gnomad HomeJayme described a narrative whose threads we’ve all heard. A husband with a corporate job, juggling three jobs herself, buying a house that was too big for them, filling it with stuff they didn’t always need. Realizing they wanted more from life, Jayme and her husband, John, bought a 1996 Chevy Express 1500, which they call Gnomie. They completely renovated Gnomie, took to the open road, and started Gnomad Home, leaving most of their possessions behind. Jayme described her journey thus far as something that “revamped who we are and who we want to be.” “Freedom. Freedom to control our income, to choose the direction we want our life to go, freedom of self.” – Jayme Serbell
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Here’s the inside of Jayme and John’s rig; check out how they did it here.Jenny Lachs, PhD, founder of Digital Nomad GirlsWith an academic background as a chemist, Jenny started Digital Nomad Girls as a Facebook group with the intention to ask what questions she had and to hear other women’s experiences about traveling as a nomad. Digital Nomad Girls has since blossomed into an online community of female digital nomads. Jenny said that her decision to become nomadic came from the desire to travel and travel often. Starting out, she picked up any freelancing gigs she could find, from writing to social media management to German translating. Now she successfully runs Digital Nomad Girls and offers a thriving community for those who are living as a nomad or are interested in becoming one. Katie Diederichs, co-founder of Two Wandering Soles
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Originally from Minnesota, Katie started her journey traveling and living abroad over a three year period that included teaching English in South Korea. When the money started to run low, her desire to travel (and her need to pay her student loans) didn’t lessen. Katie has been working remotely for nearly four years, two of them as a full-time travel blogger. She started Two Wandering Soles in 2014 with her husband, Ben. Katie said, “Becoming a digital nomad has given me the freedom to build a lifestyle I love and schedule my work around that. I don’t have to say ‘no’ to opportunities or travel plans because I can bring work with me or carve out ‘time off.’ But all this freedom comes at a cost. I am incredibly grateful that I’m doing work I’m passionate about, but this means that I rarely really ‘clock out’ or turn off my work brain completely. I have to try extra hard to maintain a work-life balance that doesn’t leave me burnt out (which is still something I’m very much working on).”Di Minardi, travel blogger at Slight NorthDi decided to pursue a nomadic lifestyle because of her love to travel and her dislike of how limited vacation time is in most U.S. companies. After graduating in 2014, she started her journey and spent two years teaching in the UAE. During this time, she was able to travel for about 7 months because the vacation time that was allotted was so generous. Moving about every 5 weeks with her husband and 55-liter backpack, Di has been living as a digital nomad since 2017. She is a travel blogger at Slight North, which offers travel guides, nomad tips and some of the mistakes and triumphs she made along the way.Marta R, founder of A Girl Who TravelsQuitting her office job in northern England back in 2010, Marta spent half a year traveling through south and southeast Asia. She created A Girl Who Travels as a way to inspire other women to follow in her footsteps and take complete control of their lives. Marta cites the freedom to live on her own terms as what started her down the nomadic path. Sarah Vandenberg, founder of Vandenberg Digital CommunicationsSarah’s first trip abroad was a sea turtle conservation volunteering program when she was in college. Living as a nomad since 2017, Sarah owns Vandenberg Digital Communications, a consulting company that supports startups and small businesses with innovation and development. Sarah also operates the Frayed Passport, a travel blog that includes travel tips, helpful guides, and destination information.Johanne Jacobsen, Founder of Climate VagabondA speaker for sustainability and climate change, Johanne travels solo around the world. She focuses on demonstrating via her website Climate Vagabond how traveling can be done in an eco-friendly way. Currently living in Indonesia, Johanne recently finished creating a documentary about plastic pollution in West Papua. When asked about her lifestyle, she said, “Being a digital nomad gives me the freedom that I always wanted. I was stressed and depressed back in Denmark and hated going to work and school — I feel like being a digital nomad saved my life.”Katie Marshall, co-owner of Round The World MagazineKatie and her partner Nicola have been digital nomads for the past five years. She described the start of her journey as a 9-to-5 job at an IT corporation that left her wanting more. A nomadic lifestyle gave her just that: freedom and flexibility. Katie co-owns Round The World Magazine, which covers topics like living as a vegan, travel, well being, and being part of the LGBTQIA+ community. She spoke about how the LGBTQIA+ experience is unique to both the traditional male or female nomad experience. Melissa Smith, CEO of the Association of Virtual AssistantsThe CEO of the Association of Virtual Assistants, Melissa, has been location independent since 2017 when she traveled to 16 countries in 12 months. Unique among most nomads, Melissa described a lifelong fear of flying that she finally overcame in 2015. She took the trip of a lifetime and attended the Monaco Grand Prix in 2016, and spent 11 days in south France. When she cried almost the entire way home, it wasn’t because she was scared. It was because she knew she couldn’t wait to travel again. The female digital nomad experienceGiven that most digital nomads are men, specific considerations for female travelers are discussed less often. While there is a lot of overlap, we’ve highlighted a couple of things that stand out. SafetyEvery digital nomad should have safety concerns on their radar, regardless of their gender. Women may just think about it a little differently. Johanne said, “There are also some practical and safety differences when being a full-time traveling woman. I’m in Asia right now, and as I travel alone, there are simply some places that I can’t visit. I could, for example, never visit India alone like a lot of the male digital nomads do because it is too dangerous for a solo woman. I chose this lifestyle to live a more free life, but some realities you can never escape in this society.” Sarah spoke about the different cultural considerations women have when traveling between countries. “Different countries’ customs and lifestyles are incredibly important, say when it comes to how to dress and how to act in public. While it is a truly amazing lifestyle that affords you a great deal of freedom, it’s super important to understand some destinations are more conservative, particularly with women’s rights and lifestyles, than we might be used to at home.”Pregnancy and traveling with childrenConsiderations that are unique to women, especially when traveling, are pregnancy and family planning. When sharing her story, Di brought up the issue of finding birth control while traveling. “It was hard to get extended prescriptions for the pill to cover six- to ten-month trips, so after a year of frustrating calls with my insurance and running out of my pills while traveling.” She switched to a Nexplanon implant that only needs to be changed every two years to avoid trouble. Many women successfully continue their lifestyle as a digital nomad while pregnant and continue to do so after giving birth. Having children does not mean their nomadic way of life is over. It may just change the way they think about it. Every digital nomad should have international travel insurance if they regularly move between countries. This type of insurance will cover the bumps in the road when traveling, but it does not cover potential pregnancy and any additional doctor visits. Jenny suggested that female digital nomads should consider an international health insurance policy that would cover these things. Make sure you compare all your options to make sure you’re covered.How do they stay connected?Technology is a lifeline for the nomadic population. Without the internet, digital nomads wouldn’t exist. It is the basis of what starts their journey, and allowing them to work from wherever they are, it helps them to sustain their need to travel. The availability of internet connections influences where they live and where they will go next. Katie Diederichs said it is one of the first things she considers when deciding where to set up.”I use a number of apps, the nomad list slack chat is also very handy, and I have a mobile wifi hotspot as a backup. I often get a local SIM card too, especially when I will be in the country for a while or I know I have to get work done and cannot waste time searching for internet every day,” said Carolin Pilligrath.Ways to find consistent internet”A quick google search will tell you the state of the internet in any country before you travel there, and some of the results may surprise you,” said Di Minardi. “I loved living in Romania because they have some of the fastest internet speeds in the world! However, even if a country generally has fast internet, it can vary from city to city and home to home.”Mobile hotspotMobile hotspots are a way of life for those who are a part of the Van Life movement. Jayme cited her successful use of the internet while on the road to her cell phone booster and mobile hotspots. Carolin also mentioned always having a mobile hotspot as a backup, “which has worked great for me around the world and hasn’t even let me down while driving around Iceland in a campervan.”Contact your hostAnother way to make sure you will have access to dependable internet is to contact the host of where you will stay next. Jenny, Di, and Sarah, who are frequent Airbnb users, suggest that you always ask the hosts for confirmation of internet access and a screenshot of a speed test they ran. Internet speed tests assess the latency, download speed, and upload speed of the internet connection. The score you receive from your host will give you the best possible idea of their internet status. Some popular speed testers are:Coworking spaceCoworking spaces offer both the opportunity to connect with other nomads but also a steady source of internet. Thankfully, coworking spaces have cropped up all across the globe. If you find you are in an internet gap at any point, deferring to a coworking space or public space with Wi-Fi is recommended. Carolin spoke about how frequented digital nomad spots and coworking spaces make it easier to meet new people and connect over shared topics. Tips from the expertsFrom finding the internet to international health insurance, the expert nomads we spoke to — understandably — had a lot to say. Here are some of the tips and advice they had for aspiring female digital nomads.Do your researchSuccessfully living as a digital nomad isn’t something you can go at lightly. It’s hard. There are a lot of moving parts, and it can be exhausting. Making sure you’ve researched your next move will be may help you avoid some potential issues along the way. You want to plan as much as you can, but know that things do go wrong, and sometimes buses just don’t come. You have to be ready for change and be able to react accordingly. “There is such a hype around this lifestyle, and there’s a message out there that, ‘everybody can do this! Just quit your job and move to Thailand! You can do it! And I think you have to be really careful with that …” warned Jenny Lachs. “This is not a lifestyle that is suitable for everyone because it’s actually quite exhausting; you’re uprooting your life every couple of months.” Define your valuesSometimes it’s easy to be discouraged when you see the success people have on social media. A healthy understanding that it takes time to get used to this lifestyle will serve you well. Take baby steps towards your goals and decide what you want to get out of your experience. Jayme suggests to everyone who wants to be a nomad to “find where your passions and strengths intersect” and then hopefully find a way to make money off it.When Carolin was asked what tips she had for budding nomads, she said, “Don’t compare yourself to other people, just start doing and do it your way, and you’re already ahead of everybody else. Remember WHY you started and keep at it.””Your days aren’t necessarily all going to be spent at a pool with a cocktail in hand and your laptop at your side. There will be times when you get tired and lonely and want to give up. And the most important thing you can have is a belief in yourself and your dreams. You’ll need to spend time learning skills you were never taught in school, and you’ll need to keep up with an ever-changing digital workforce,” said Katie Diederichs.Find a communityFinding a community is a vital part of successfully living as a nomad. Katie mentioned that “one hard part about this lifestyle is that it can feel lonely, especially in the beginning when you are living in places where you know no one. And a lot of digital nomad communities can be quite transient, as people come and go frequently.” Social media platforms are a great way to connect and create friends all over the world. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to meet up and travel with them. Whether virtually or in public spaces, coworking is another way to meet people and stay connected with your friends.Jenny emphasized how surrounding herself with people who understand what she was doing was a game-changer and cut out the need to justify her dreams. She went on to say, “surround yourself with other people who are doing it. It’s already a scary thing to do something totally new. You have to learn new skills, and you have to put yourself out there.”Katie Diederichs stressed the importance of finding mentors who are already living the digital nomad lifestyle. “Reach out to them with succinct and specific questions (being respectful of their time). Creating connections like this and having someone to ask all those questions swirling around in your brain can make this process so much easier.”Hold yourself accountableOne of the most important facets of succeeding as a digital nomad is personal accountability. At the end of the day, if you are a freelancer or work for yourself, the pressure to do your work comes from you. Find a way that works best for you. Jayme said, “It’s up to you if it’s going to work out or not.” She mentioned using a daily journal to keep track of what her goals are, how she made progress and what she learned. The life of a digital nomad is rewarding in so many ways, but no one can deny it’s hard. From the time of adjustment to the intense planning, this way of life is not something anyone should go into lightly. Thankfully, there are a ton of online communities that foster friendship, travel and the desire to control your life. More