How to Determine Whether DSL or a Cable Modem Is Worth It

High-speed Internet access should be at least five times faster than what you can get with a 56K modem. But DSL and cable-modem services are expensive at the beginning of 2000, and the many "catches" and trade-offs associated with the newer technologies might mean you'll be better off waiting for increased competition, improved service, and lower prices.

Things You'll Need

• Cable Modems
• DSL Lines

Instructions

Basic Evaluation Factors

1. Decide if you spend enough time on the Internet to justify paying for more speed.

2. Consider the value of the time you spend online. Will increased speed help you conduct a business better? Or will it just enhance your leisure surfing?

3. Expect legislation, court decisions, and other future government regulation to affect digital online services and use and cost of them in the next couple of years.

4. Expect access fees to change as the services develop.

5. Find out what services are available in your area. Call your cable company to see if cable modem service is available. Call your telephone company to see if you can get DSL.

6. Evaluate offers for both individual service and service bundles that include hardware and installation.

Probable Disadvantages

1. If your current ISP doesn't yet offer DSL, decide whether your current ISP offers extra benefits you don't want to give up (features such as a large amount of free Web space, multiple e-mail accounts, local access numbers from other parts of the country, extraordinary technical support). (If you choose a cable modem, your ISP will change to the cable company.)

2. Figure the number of individuals and businesses you will have to notify about your new e-mail address.

3. Expect that group e-mail lists might take a long time to be updated, and individuals and organizations may be slow to update their records.

4. Consider your need and cost, if any, for new business cards, letterhead, or other materials with your new e-mail address.

5. Understand that you are likely to experience considerably less speed than the maximum possible from your modem and service. (See the related eHow "Understand Why a High-Speed Connection Isn't as Fast as Advertised.")

6. Expect to pay at least $40 per month for a cable modem or DSL, plus hardware and installation expenses.

Probable Advantages

1. Expect extra speed to save time and enhance (or make possible) multimedia capabilities, such as streaming audio.

2. Obtain the convenience of never having to dial into an ISP - your connection is always available.

3. Eliminate a telephone line if you are currently paying for two.

4. Get the convenience of one bill if your ISP is also your local telephone or cable company.

5. Expect a package deal if you already have cable television.

Tips & Warnings

• DSL stands for digital subscriber lines. You can get DSL directly from your local telephone company - if the service is available where you live - but ISPs also offer DSL packages. (The DSL line is run by the phone company; it connects you directly to an ISP, which then connects you to the Internet.)

• If you buy DSL through the phone company, you will use the phone company as your ISP. If you buy DSL through another ISP, the phone company still runs the line, but the ISP may coordinate technical support with the phone company for you.

• Look for promotions that offer free hardware and installation.

• Various incompatible DSL technologies are competing in the marketplace.