Dialup, DSL, or Cable: Which One Do I Need?
Selecting the best ISP (Internet Service Provider) for your specific need will depend on, well, what your specific needs are. Most commonly, your ISP choices are dialup, DSL, and cable internet. Dialup is the most primitive of the bunch, and you'll be lucky to achieve a transfer rate of 6 KB/sec (thousands of bits per second). However, dial-up is still the least expensive method, that is, least expensive service and hardware accommodations (all you need is a modem and phone line).
DSL typically allows transfer speeds of up to 70 times faster than dialup, and so does cable, with max download speeds of 1.5 Mbs and 2.0 Mbs respectively (though you will never achieve actual transfer speeds that high!). To use DSL you must be within three miles of a phone company central office that has been upgraded to support DSL. If you are not within three miles, you're out of luck.
Almost any house with a pre-existing cable TV infrastructure can be hooked up to cable internet. Prices for DSL and Cable ISPs are very competitive, and typically range from $35-60 a month.
Here are some great tips on choosing the right ISP or equipment:
Finding DSL and Cable Information: Most people do not comparison shop for broadband Internet. Contacting each provider in their area is a daunting task. Instead, they see an ad on the TV or internet and simply sign up. There is a great resource called Cheap Internet Access Provider that allows you to discover the DSL and Cable providers that serve your area and their best deals--all in one place.
Cable modems: In the case that you decide to go with cable internet, you will now need a cable modem . You will typically have the choice of "renting" one from the cable internet provider, or you can opt to purchase your own cable modem. Such hardware will typically cost you $40-100. Make sure it is 2.0 Mbs download capable.
ISP Needs Checklist: Choosing the right ISP should be based on an established set of criteria . There are a lot more important factors than just price. Take into consideration whether or not you are buying service for just yourself or multiple users. Also, a good way of weeding out the “bad apples” is to ask around, and listen to what people have to say about their experiences with certain ISPs. You will learn a lot by using the hearsay method, and the info is most importantly unbiased.
Local vs. Nationwide: There are numerous pros and cons between local and nationwide ISPs. Local providers typically offer more intimate customer service as their customer-to-tech support technician ratio tend to be much better. However, the larger nationwide ISPs commonly will be able to provide more extensive and complete services for less money, thanks to their well built existing infrastructure.
Unbiased Reviews: In the quest to find good information regarding ISPs, unbiased information is always the best information. There is a great resource called epinions that has a great section with nothing but reviews from people like you and me. The ISP reviews are conveniently categorized into DSL, Cable, and Dialup.
Web Hosting Requirements: It is also important that you take into consideration as to whether a potential ISP has the ability to act as your web host. Even if you aren't considering your own website at the present moment, most likely you will eventually want one. Take into consideration as to what their web hosting capabilities are before you make a commitment.
Contribute your tips and ideas here and get a quality link to your site from your added content. Email us at ppmlinks@polepositionmarketing.com for details.
It is not always necessary to upgrade to DSL or cable if you are currently using dialup. In many cases, internet users are very satisfied with their dialup connection, especially if they have never experienced DSL or cable. However, once you have experienced the faster connection speeds, it's difficult to go back.
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