Netzero Dial Up Speed vs. DSL Speed
NetZero dial-up and DSL are two very different ways of connecting to the Internet. They both have advantages and disadvantages. They differ by connection speeds, availability, performance and security.
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Connections
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NetZero dial-up connections use voice telephone connections. When using dial-up connection, an active phone line is attached to the modem on your computer, which dials into the Internet Service Provider (NetZero). A NetZero dial-up connection is much like other dial-up providers by offering connection speeds of up to 56 K per second.
DSL, on the other hand, is a high-speed digital Internet connection that supports connection speeds up to 100 MB per second or faster. It provides digital data transmission using the wires of your telephone network, but does not use the voice line (meaning you can use the telephone while the DSL connection is active).
Advantages of NetZero Dialup
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The main advantage that NetZero dial-up has over DSL is its lower cost. NetZero dial-up costs an average of about $10 a month, compared to DSL, which can cost about $30 a month or more.
NetZero dial-up also has a secure connection because the IP address keeps changing every time you dial online. That limits the ability of hackers to access your computer, unlike with DSL, which uses the same IP address all the time.
NetZero dial-up is also available in remote areas where DSL may not be available.
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Advantages of DSL
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Besides being a much faster Internet connection speed, DSL also allows you to stay connected to the Internet and still use your telephone line to make calls or check voice mail. DSL also does not require new wiring; it can use the phone line you already have to connect easily with very little effort.
DSL can be integrated with wireless routers to provide wireless access to other devices, such as laptops. That is one of the biggest advantages DSL has over NetZero.
Misconceptions
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NetZero dial-up cannot be optimized to DSL speeds. There are many companies that offer "Dial-up Optimizers" and promise that you will have blazing connection speeds. While optimizers can somewhat improve connection speed, they do not come close to the caliber performance of DSL modems.
DSL Internet connections do not automatically supply Wi-Fi access. Many people are convinced that you can get wireless access on portable devices using a stand alone DSL modem. You need additional hardware (Wireless routers) to set up a wireless network.
Expert Insight
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If DSL is available in your area, it's advisable to go with it as your Internet connection instead of NetZero dial-up. Because many websites are now using sophisticated Flash and high-resolution video files, you are only bound to get frustrated using a slow 56K connection speed. Additionally downloading Internet files will be a daunting task because you will have to wait a long time (sometimes hours) to download files that would take DSL minutes to complete.
A 56K NetZero connection may be advisable if all you want to do is use e-mail and use the Internet once in a while, due to its lower cost.
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