Many people are switching from dial-up
internet services to high speed direct access services such as ISDN, DSL, and
cable. It has been predicted that by 2005 only 8% of internet users will be
using dial-up services. The following is a brief explanation of the differences
between the four types of service. Several helpful links are contained in this
article.
Direct
Dial-Up. Most internet users who are reading this article
are using a dial-up service. The fastest speed available for a dial-up
connection is 56kbps (If your modem is less than 56k, then you're probably
waiting a very long time for most web pages to load). Here's why you may want
to consider switching from dial-up: (1) You don't want to tie up your phone
line whenever you're on the internet; (2) You'd like your web pages to load
faster, or your internet connection is often slow; (3) You'd like to be
connected to the internet as soon as your computer boots up, rather than
waiting while your dial-up service makes the connection.
ISDN (Integrated
Services Digital Network). Although it's a dial-up service, at
68Kbps it's a little faster than regular dial-up. A faster 128 Kbps is
available, but the monthly cost is much higher.
DSL (Digital Subscriber
Line). DSL offers a direct connection to the internet and is not a dial-up
system. It works through your phone line, but uses a different frequency than
your phone calls so that your line is never tied up when you're on the
internet. Connection speeds may vary between service providers, but are usually
faster than dial-up services and ISDN. You don't have to wait to connect to the
internet, as you do with dial-up. With most DSL services, you are automatically
connected whenever your computer boots up. DSL services are not available
everywhere, although that's quickly changing. If you're not sure if it's
available where you live, then inquire with the DSL service provider of your
choice. Some helpful web sites are provided at the end of this article, where
you can check out the various services.
Cable Modem. This type
of service connects you to the internet by linking your computer to the cable
fiber-optic/coaxial network of your cable TV provider. This type of internet
connection is a strong competitor of DSL services, offering comparable speeds
and direct connection. If cable TV is not available in your area, than
cable modem service is not available, either.
DSL vs. Cable: Cable
connections may slow down during peak periods when there are many people in
your area using the internet, or as the number of cable users in your area
increase. There are times, however, when DSL may slow down, too. Also, keep in
mind that if you're using a cable modem, your internet connection will go out
whenever your cable TV does. However, DSL may also experience some down
time.You don't have to subscribe to cable TV to get cable modem service;
however, if you want to have both you might want to find out whether your local
cable service offers a package deal.
Other high-speed access services are
Frame Relay and Fixed-Point Wireless, but these services are not commonly used
at the home because of their high cost (about $250 to $800 a month, compared to
an average of $40-$50 a month for ISDN, DSL and Cable).
How do you select a particular
service provider? One of the best ways to select a service
is through the recommendation of a neighbor or a friend who lives nearby. When
you ask your friends about their experience with ISP's (internet service
providers), keep in mind that the services of any provider may vary in
different neighborhoods; thus, your friend who lives on the other side of town
may have a different experience as you would have in your neighborhood with the
same provider. One of the reasons for this is the distance between your home
and the central office providing the service. The following web sites could be
useful in helping you make a choice:
http://www.dslreports.com/tools: Check out
their Reviews section; be sure to type in your zip code and hit the
"enter" button on your keyboard to get reviews by people in your area
who are using the various services. The site also provides other useful
information. http://thelist.internet.com/: Provides a
list of internet service providers in your area.
Free Emergency Dial-up
Service: Some people who use high-speed access
subscribe to one of the free emergency dial-up services found on the internet.
The only "catch" to using such a service is that you have to put up
with their advertising banners, which isn't so bad in the event of an
occasional "emergency" when your regular service goes out. Check out
the following sites for further information: http://addlebrain.com, offers reviews of the
major free internet service providers and tips for getting the most out of
them; http://geocities.com/ray_baldwin/isps.html, is
an individual who offers a listing of free isp's and provides his comments on
each listing.
©2001 S. Sclair (The
article above cannot be reproduced under any circumstances without written
permission from the copyright holder.)
All rights reserved
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The Senior's Guide to Easy Computing; PC
Basics, Internet, and E-Mail