In selecting an Internet Provider or ISP, there are several decisions to be made. First, are you interested in DSL, cable access, dial-up or even satellite service?
Let’s take a look at the first three, the most common, most affordable types of ISP.
DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, provides ISP service through a phone line. With DSL, you can actually talk on the telephone and access the Internet at the same time – a big big advantage over dial-up.
DSL is referred to as a broadband service whose high-speed ISP connections allow for transmission of data 10 to 50 times faster than dial-up. With DSL, you don’t have to dial in and connect with a server. If your computer is on, you have access to the Internet without waiting. Web pages load quickly. Downloading and uploading files is fast and easy.
Cable access, provided through your local TV cable company is transferred through your TV cables. Be assured, though, accessing the Internet through a cable service won’t affect your TV viewing. If you don’t have cable TV, you can still purchase cable Internet service as long as it is available in your area. Like DSL, cable access is a broadband service so you are always connected as long as your computer is on.
With cable access, web pages load more quickly and files are downloaded and uploaded much faster than DSL. One thing to look out for is that, because cable access is a shared service, your cable access can be affected by others in your area who are using the same cable lines as you. If, for example, twenty other households nearby are online at 9 p.m. it may take longer to download large files. In most areas, however, this should not be a problem.
Dial-up is the least expensive way to access the Internet and also the slowest. With dial-up service, an ISP such as
NetZero
,
PeoplePC
or
Copper will provide you with Internet access through your existing phone line and PC modem.
While it can certainly be an affordable choice, the modem's constraints cause web pages to load slowly. Websites with a good deal of videos or graphics may have a difficult time loading at all. Dial-up requires that you use the telephone line to dial into a server before you access the Internet which can take from several seconds to several minutes. The phone line is then tied up and blocks your incoming calls.
If you only use the Internet to check your email and occasionally view other websites, a dial-up connection may serve your needs. If you are going to spend any significant amount of time online, you should consider another option if your budget allows.
Which Service to Choose?
In terms of web page load times and easy access to the Internet, dial-up ISP service doesn’t compare to DSL and cable. Normally, it is the least expensive option. If cost is important and you understand that your service won’t be exactly perfect, then dial-up is a choice.
It is not easy to say whether cable or DSL is better. There are several factors that determine the speed of web page loads and programs and documents downloads. ISPs that deliver access through DSL and cable access service often have different service levels or packages available. Generally, DSL and cable are quite comparable in speed and price. Cable internet has the added benefit of
giving you a choice packaged together internet phone and cable TV along with internet service at substantial savings.
If you use the Internet to view multiple websites, download or upload data, play games, or view audio- or graphic-intensive websites, then DSL or cable will save you lots of stress as opposed to dial-up.
Next Steps
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