Checking on your internet service provider is prudent. Know the company and keep the contact information accessible to assist during outages. Private homes are required to pay for internet, and the internet providers are found through billing processes.
Who is My Internet Provider?
If you are unsure about the provider, start by checking your billing statements. Internet is rarely a free service and you are likely paying for the service. In many cases, home internet is packaged with other phone and television services. Many free websites will also identify your service provider in a matter of seconds. Run a quick web search to yield numerous free "my ISP" identifier options.
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In the case of a shared community like a college dorm, hotel or apartment complex offering inclusive internet, the service provider is only accessed by the administrators. You must contact the administrators about issues and must ask them for the actual provider name. Acquiring the name of your provider is prudent to help quickly check for outages. While the provider will not allow account access, they can relay information about areas experiencing difficulties while sharing timelines for repairs.
Ultimately, determining the actual company responsible for delivering internet access is relatively easy. A quick investigation will help to determine this information and most providers offer a customer service phone number or email for contact about issues.
Run a Speed Check
One way to actually check the service quality coming from the provider is through a speed check. Internet providers commonly advertise speed as a selling point but few consumers know they can easily check the speed for accuracy.
A quick web search for free speed tests will yield ample results. Typically, the results are displayed in megabytes per second, or MBPS. A faster connection will measure in kilobytes per second, or KBPS. A fast connection is important for streaming media and loading large media packets.
Keep in mind that the speed test is not always gauging the actual speed through the Ethernet cable. On a Wi-Fi connection, the speed can slow due to issues with the router or the distance between the computer and the router. Connect directly to the Ethernet cable for a true speed test. If the difference between the Ethernet speed and Wi-Fi speed is significant, consider diagnosing problems stemming from the router.
Wi-Fi Service Provider
The Wi-Fi service provider is the same as the primary internet provider. The Wi-Fi connection is established by connecting a wireless router to the Ethernet. In many cases, the wireless router is provided by the internet service provider. Look on the bottom of the router for a model number and information regarding the service.
Any time the system is experiencing issues, first check the router and perform a reset to restore the service. If this fails, try connecting directly to the Ethernet to test for the internet. If the Ethernet is functioning but the router is not transmitting internet through a signal, the router itself may require replacement.
Lastly, a connection that is not delivering any internet is often an issue related to the internet service provider. Obtain the customer service phone number and contact the provider directly to discuss the problems. Temporary outages do happen and reporting the issue can help to restore the internet more quickly. In the worst case scenario, a service tech can visit to investigate the problem.