How to Choose a High-Speed Internet Access Method

High-speed Internet access is becoming more available. Depending on where you live, you may be able to get a cable, DSL or satellite connection. Weigh the pros and cons carefully.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cable Modems
• DSL Lines
• Internet Service Providers
• Satellite Internet Access
• Computers

1. Find out what services are available in your area. For cable modems, call your local cable company. For a digital subscriber line (DSL), call your local telephone company, but other providers may also offer DSL pack-ages. Contact your current ISP to see if it offers DSL, and also check the Web. Consider a satellite service if other high-speed services are unavailable in your area.

2. Compare prices and speeds for various services.

3. Compare all hardware and installation costs, if any, including satellite installation and setup.

4. After completing your basic research, decide whether the extra cost of increased speed is worth it. You may choose to wait until competition drives down prices.

5. Expect actual cable modem and DSL speeds to vary according to your location, neighborhood and usage at any given moment. Cable should be faster. Expect satellite to be slower than DSL or cable. Recognize that your connection may not ever achieve the maximum speed advertised by the provider.

6. Before choosing your current telephone or cable TV company as your Internet provider, consider your level of satisfaction with its service, especially its customer service.

7. Make sure your cable wiring can support two-way modem transmission before choosing cable. (Ask the cable company. Some cable modem services require a dial-up modem connection for Internet uploads.)

8. Find out how many other users will ultimately share your cable access before choosing cable.

9. Compare extras offered by high-speed ISPs, such as multiple accounts, domain aliasing and extra Web space, if you'll use them.

Tips & Warnings

• DSL service has two parts: the actual line, set up by the phone company, and an ISP to connect your DSL to the rest of the
• Internet. The phone company will offer ISP services in addition to the line, but you might wish to choose a different ISP (for better rates; different features, such as more Web space or more e-mail accounts; or for better technical support). ISPs that offer DSL services will typically interface with the phone company for you.
• Telephone and cable companies often provide free or subsidized hardware and installation. A service-term contract is required with these deals.
• You must have unobstructed access to the south to use a satellite dish.
• Regardless of whether you select your telephone company to be your ISP, you will be dependent on them for asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) service.
• Satellite requires a phone line for uploads.

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[Comet659]

on 1/5/2007 your info does not help me.I have no need for a phone as a cellphone is adequate for my needs and I do not have cable TV.I do not even know if I can have the internet service without the cable tv .I have e -mailed about this and all I get is a reply to call a certain number.I do not want to do that,because you wait forever for someone to answer the phone and then they try to sell you every service they have available.I told the phone company 3 times I did not want inside maintenance,before finally giving in just to shut the customer service operator up.That was with Bell South.If you use their web site they list options for adding services,but do not offer options for removing services.

on 8/8/2006 We had no land line telephone or cable service when we moved into our new house. We chose DSL after being frustrated with the local cable company for 12 weeks over installation issues. Our house was 300+ feet from the road and they refused to perform the installation. We then contacted Qwest and they installed their voice and DSL service the following weekend. Our DSL modem/router reports a network speed of 4.5 Mbps - more than fast enough for our needs.

on 11/22/2005 Unless you know your high-speed cable connection won't be very good, I suggest going with cable. I bought into the "not shared" bit the DSL people (Covad in my area) push and changed to cable modem because of really slow speeds. Choose cable, if possible.

on 11/22/2005 As a cable modem installer, I replace disgruntled DSL connections at least 4-5 times a week. You figure it out. Also, I'm a contractor and don't use either. My apartment complex has OC-3 (read: "not biased"). Good Luck!

on 11/22/2005 Check out this really great site for DSL providers. Offers reviews and comments from real people who have gone through the process.
http://www.dslreports.com