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Step 1
Consider dial-up if you rarely use the Internet. If you are online everyday for work, school or leisure time, dial-up can be a major pain. It runs very slowly in comparison with other types of Internet connection and can take several minutes to connect every time you want to get online. It also ties up one phone line in your house while it's in use. While these things can be annoying, if you are using the Internet only to check your email and check the weather once in a while, you may want to look into it. Dial-up is a fraction of the cost of other connection types. A 56K modem can be purchased for less than $100 and if you have a limited plan, you can end up with a monthly bill of less than $20.
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Step 2
Check into satellite options. In many rural areas, DSL and cable Internet are not provided. Satellite companies have found a way to fill that void. Like DSL and cable, satellites can provide high-speed Internet access. If you live in an area where DSL or cable Internet is offered, satellite is not an alternative you would likely want to consider. Satellite is slower than both of these and your Internet connection can be disturbed if the weather is bad. If your options are satellite or dial-up, however, satellite is faster but more expensive, usually costing more than $50 per month, plus the initial investment in both the satellite dish and modem.
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Step 3
Choose between cable and DSL. These are the big two when it comes to high-speed Internet options. Cable connections patch you to the Internet using the same line used for cable television. Cable has a high connection speed and is generally cheaper than DSL, but when the lines are overburdened by several people in the same location being online at the same time, this can slow the connection. It is slightly cheaper than DSL at an average cost of $50 compared with the $70 average cost of DSL. DSL is the faster of the two and will not be slowed as noticeably by multiple Internet users. Depending on your location though, general DSL speed can vary substantially. Depending on the speed of the DSL in your area, cable may be just as decent of an option with a lower cost.
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Step 4
Decide if you need a private line. T1 lines are lines that, unlike cable and DSL, are not shared. These lines are a direct link between the Internet provider and your location. T1 lines are often found in businesses that need the Internet for operation. Due to the unshared line, they are faster than Cable and DSL, but they are also steeply priced. Monthly costs can be as high as $2,000. These lines are not offered everywhere and are hardly ever necessary for home use. The only time that you might consider a T1 line at home is if you run several successful websites and you need to have guaranteed bandwidth available at all times.
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Step 5
Determine if you would be better off wireless. Instead of having a room full of tethered equipment, it is possible to have Internet that works wirelessly with all of your devices. In order to get wireless Internet in your home or office, you will need a wireless modem that can reach every part of your location. Wireless speeds are generally as fast as cable or DSL and the service can have a monthly cost as low as $50. If you have one computer in your home, the wireless option won't benefit you. However, if you use lots of gadgets that need to connect to the Internet, a wireless connection can make it simple. For instance, if you have two desktop computers, use a laptop at home, have a Blackberry or other portable device that has on-board Internet and play Xbox Live, a wireless device can get you connected without running wires all over your space.
