I can't figure out what internet to order?

[dan]

800 Kbps is too slow.

I'll attempt to make this as non-tech as possible.

Internet speeds are measured in bits per second (bps). Most broadband Internet services provide at least 1 million bps expressed as 1 Mbps.

If you look at Netflix minimum speed recommendations, https://support.netflix.com/en/node/306 You'll see that need at least 5 Mbps to stream a Netflix HD movie.

You can stream Netflix at lower quality with less speed. The absolute slowest service I would recommend is 1.5 Mbps assuming you are the only user at your home.

Your Internet speed (bandwidth) is shared among all of the users of your home ISP account. So any speed that others are using will be deducted from the total Internet speed that is available to you. Multiple simultaneous users will require more speed.

Most ISP's have monthly data caps. Streaming video such as Netflix consumes a lot of data. If you go over the cap, some ISPs will slow your connection or charge overage fees. Here is a blog post on current speeds and data caps for the major ISP providers in the US: http://isp1.us/blog/current-data-caps-fo...providers/

That being said,

Internet speeds and pricing vary greatly by geographical area. Depending on your exact location, you may be able to choose from several different types of broadband Internet access. They include DSL, cable, fiber, satellite, and wireless from a cellular provider.

DSL is generally the cheapest broadband option, however it is also usually the slowest. DSL Internet is transmitted over standard twisted pair copper telephone lines. DSL speeds typically range from 256 Kbps to 12 Mbps.

Cable Internet is transmitted over coaxial television cables. Cable Internet speeds range from 1 Mbps to over 300 Mbps. The speed of the service depends on your exact area and service package that you order.

Fiber optic services can be as fast as 1000 Mbps https://fiber.google.com/about/ , Fiber connections can also provide on demand HD television and digital telephone service on the same line.

There are also 3G and 4G wireless mobile broadband services and satellite Internet, but these are normally only used where cable or DSL are unavailable due to the higher cost, slower speeds and low monthly bandwidth limits.

To compare speed and prices of your local competitors, go to a ISP comparison site that lets you input your address, and compare the pricing and terms of the offers that are available in your area. In the US you can use this one http://isp1.us/find/ otherwise do a search for "ISP comparison" at your favorite search engine.

The physical address is needed because some services, particularly DSL, are very distance sensitive. For example you might be able to get a specific level of service while your next door neighbor can't.

You'll want to pick the fastest plan that fits your budget. In some areas this can be 300 Mbps+. But these high end broadband plans are expensive.

For a super tight budget, DSL will likely be the cheapest option. You may find that something in the 1.5 to 10 Mbps range that will be adequate for your needs.

Good Luck.