| Do you find yourself waiting around for your Internet | | | | is not yet an option in those areas, even if Verizon, |
| pages to load or digital photo files and other | | | | Earthlink or another provider offers services there. |
| attachments to transfer? | | | | Cable |
| Do your friends and family complain that they can | | | | If you have cable TV available in your area, chances |
| never get through on the phone line because you or | | | | arethat you have access to Internet through your |
| your kids are always online.Chances are you are still | | | | cable provider. This service uses the same wires as |
| using dial up Internet service.Perhaps it's time to | | | | your cable TV programming and depending on the |
| consider an alternative method. | | | | provider and the area, there may be a good deal of |
| The main three types of high speed access include | | | | bandwidth available or a more limited amount. |
| DSL,cable and satellite Internet. At the current time, | | | | Because users share bandwidth, this could be an |
| DSL service providers and cable are not available in all | | | | issue for those living in areas with limited amounts |
| areas. Some parts of the country do not have | | | | available for Internet use. It is a good question to ask |
| access to either option. Good satellite Internet | | | | your cable provider before signing up. Your choice for |
| reception is dependant on an unobstructed line of | | | | cable Internet is typically limited to only those |
| sight to the south. So where you live can make a big | | | | providers who offer cable TV in your area. On |
| difference in which high speed Internet service you | | | | average, cable Internet does tend to be a bit faster |
| choose. | | | | than DSL. Service is often slightly less expensive than |
| Here are some overviews of each service and | | | | DSL, averaging around $45 per month. |
| comparisons for thosefortunate to have more than | | | | Satellite |
| one option available: | | | | If you do not have DSL or cable Internet available in |
| DSL Service Providers | | | | yourarea, satellite Internet may provide a viable |
| DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, | | | | option. Its speed is comparable to other high speed |
| describes atechnology that taps into unused | | | | Internet services, its always on, and you have the |
| frequencies on copper telephone lines totransmit | | | | option of adding satellite TV service. However, it |
| information at much higher speeds. There is no dialup | | | | requires that you have a clear view of the southern |
| and accessing services. So access is immediate. With | | | | sky from your home anywhere in the continental |
| DSL, you can send both voice and high speed data | | | | United States in order to receive good reception |
| over the same line. The bandwidth, or data transfer | | | | from the satellites. The service is typically a good |
| capacity, or DSL ranges from 128 Kbps to 1.544 | | | | deal more expensive than the other two high speed |
| Mbps downstream to your computer. Upstream | | | | options discussed, averaging around $100 per month |
| transfer from your computer is usually limited to 128 | | | | with installation fees of up to $400. |
| Kbps. Bandwidth is dedicated so you don't have to | | | | Some people confuse satellite Internet with what's |
| share with other users, but DSL is also more | | | | knownas WiFi. WiFi Internet services are actually |
| effective the closer you are to service provider's | | | | provided by access nodes located in high traffic areas |
| facilities. If your local area has plenty of cable | | | | such as airports and hotel or through Internet cafes. |
| bandwidth available it may be a better option for | | | | If you have a laptop equipped with WiFi receiver, |
| those located greater distances from a DSL provider. | | | | you can access services from within about 1000 feet |
| Average monthly charges for DSL services are | | | | of the node. There is typically a fee to use this |
| around $55-$65. | | | | service. It is a good idea for travelers but does not |
| Verizon is one of the leading providers of high speed | | | | meet the need for home Internet use because it |
| DSLservice, with a large coverage area. With Verizon | | | | required the access node. |
| DSL you get a monthly package for $34.95 that | | | | Although there are several satellite Internet |
| includes unlimited access with a personalized home | | | | providers,they all use similar technology. DirecTV is a |
| page, 9 e-mail accounts, and 10 megabytes of web | | | | popular provider because they are also a top satellite |
| space. For those customers with multiple computers | | | | TV company. DirecTV satellite Internet service is |
| in the home, there is a homenetworking option | | | | delivered through a wholly owned subsidiary, |
| available. You can connect multiple home computers | | | | DIRECWAY. DirecTV satellite Internet costs $99.99 |
| and laptops to a single high-speed DSL Internet | | | | per month and requires customers to purchase a |
| connection at no additional monthly cost. | | | | satellite dish and modem. Installation is typically |
| Earthlink DSL is another option. Their basic package, | | | | available from the distributor. |
| which includes the same features as Verizon's offer | | | | Comparisons |
| also includes a free dial-up service which allows you | | | | Consult a comparison chart such as the High Speed |
| to enjoy 20 hours of Internet access per month | | | | Internet |
| when you're away from home. This package typically | | | | Guide which should give you a fair idea of the speed |
| costs $39.99 per month. Earthlink also offers cable | | | | and costs involved. However, it is important to note |
| and satellite Internet. | | | | that the data transfer rates you can get from either |
| As noted, DSL uses copper telephone wires. Rural | | | | DSL or Cable will depend entirely on whatever local |
| areas and some cities do not have these wires | | | | providers are in your area. |
| available for large volume use, which means that DSL | | | | |