| Do you still use the internet through dial-up? Have | | | | eight megabits per second, and upload rates of close |
| you considered that there are alternatives and all | | | | to 1024 kilobits per second. That data upload speed |
| access to the internet isn't the same? You may think | | | | is 20 times faster than what is possible using dial-up. |
| that you shouldn't have to pay more for internet | | | | So now, does that mean that you have to go out |
| service, but it's important to realise why you need to | | | | and get the fastest, highest speed possible? Slow |
| join most of your fellow internet users in the 21st | | | | down, you don't have to go from a tricycle to a |
| century. | | | | Porsche! |
| Why ditch your dial-up service? The main reason is | | | | Now that you know that you want to use |
| your internet speed. Let's compare broadband speed | | | | broadband, what do you want to use it for? Are you |
| with dial-up. Using your dial-up service, your PC dials a | | | | using it for general internet access and maybe email? |
| phone number and connects to the internet. Using | | | | Will you use it for downloading lots of files, or |
| this method, your transfer means may reach speeds | | | | possibly for streaming videos? It is important to pay |
| of up to 53 kilobits per second. However, it is not | | | | for only what you need. |
| common to reach those speeds. | | | | Armed with that knowledge, you can begin shopping |
| Compare that with broadband access. Broadband is | | | | for the best deal. You do not have to accept any |
| defined as "high-speed internet access, a fast | | | | broadband service, but the one that you feel will |
| connection to the internet that is always on". There | | | | provide you the best broadband deals. Examine the |
| are several means of obtaining high-speed access, | | | | service of your local phone company, your cable |
| such as: Digital Subscriber Line, Cable Modem, Fibre | | | | company, and whatever other competing service |
| Optic, Wireless and Satellite. | | | | there is in that area. |
| Now, contrast the high-speed internet access speed. | | | | Bring equipped with a better knowledge of what is |
| There are two considerations: download and upload | | | | currently available, you can make it your own. |
| rates. It is possible to reach download speeds of | | | | |