Coppernet Vs. AOL
Today's technology makes it easy to access the Internet, a vast electronic library full of information and entertainment. Whether for business or pleasure, millions of computer users rely on connecting to the Internet on a frequent basis. The variable involved in the process is what company provides this connection. Two longstanding companies, America Online (AOL) and Copper.net have been offering reputable services for years.
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
AOL was first created in 1983 under the name of Quantum Computer Services, but has been Windows-based since 1993, and was one of the first pay-based online services that came into existence along with Compuserve, Prodigy and Genie. Copper.net was first released by Michael Hawk in 1997 as an alternative to the online services that charged users for extra content like chat and built-in web browsing. It later became the first Internet provider to cost less than $100 annually.
Cost
-
AOL offers a wide variety of plans ranging from $9.99 to $25.90, depending on the number of features, connectivity support and security programs available. AOL also offers broadband speed as well as dial-up connections without a difference in cost. Copper.net, on the other hand, offers two basic plans of $9.99 and $14.99, the more expensive of which is a high-speed connection that offers speeds similar to that of DSL.
-
Features
-
AOL offers a lot of extra content in all of its plans, such as built-in spam blockers, pop-up blockers, virus protection, parental controls and a firewall. There's also a section called AOL Hometown that allows the user to create a blog or journal. Copper.net comes equipped with a feature called modem on-hold, which allows dial-up users to talk on the phone and remained connected to the Internet. They also do not sell advertising, so there are never any pop-ups. Overall, AOL gives the user a lot more additional features.
Speed
-
Both providers offer both dial-up and high-speed connections, with a difference separating them. While Copper.net's high-speed service is an extra $5 a month and accelerates web browsing speeds up to seven times faster, AOL offers broadband connections only in conjunction with a local cable or phone company, so the router is not provided and the extra costs of the cable provider are not factored in the price of their plans.
Coverage
-
AOL is a nationwide company that offers extensive service throughout the United States. As long as the home is qualified for landline phone service, it is likely the service will have no problems connecting the user to the internet. Copper.net is based in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and provides 25,000 access numbers across the United States and Canada, so coverage is very widespread.
-
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Blake Patterson
