Internet Access Options
By Jonathan Meyers

Broadband at home - broadband is quickly becoming the number one way to get on the internet for consumers. Broadband comes in two main flavors: cable modem and DSL. Cable modem service is usually provided by your cable company, such as Time Warner and Comcast. DSL is provided by your local phone company. Generally speaking, cable modem service is more expensive than DSL but faster. Service for DSL generally ranges from $25-$45, ISP service for cable modems is usually $45-$55. Cable modem service has a wider are of availability since DSL service is limited by your distance to the phone company's "central offices".

Wireless internet - now you can get hi-speed, broadband-quality internet service on the road. Hotels, coffee shops, and hotels frequently offer Wifi service. Some Wifi hot spots are free, while others are paid services provided by T-Mobile, Wayport,



and more. Paid services are by the day ($5-$20) or by the month ($10-$50). You must have a wireless advice that's Wifi-ready.

Dial-up - dial-up services are still the primary way people get online, despite being as slow as 1/100th of the speed of broadband. Primary dial-up providers include AOL, NetZero, and Netscape Internet Service. These ISPs are offering more services to keep customers from flocking to broadband internet service providers. Some of these dial-up providers have found ways to simulate higher browsing speeds (up to 5x) than regular dial-up by using intelligent caching. They are also rich in content and extras. Dial-up requires the use of a phone line and some areas have to dial long distance numbers to get a connection.

What's next for ISPs? In one of the biggest competitive threats to DSL and cable modem service we've seen yet, electric companies are getting in on the action with a service called broadband over power lines (BPL). Soon you'll be able to get broadband service through any outlet in your house. This should add pricing pressure to cable and DSL providers, which may result in lower prices. Additionally, BPL might bring high speed internet to households that aren't serviced by DSL and cable modems.

Jonathan Meyers is a staff writer for IAMethods.com, your internet access resource.

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