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Question: My contract will soon expire with my current
Internet service provider, and I might want to switch. How
do I compare companies?
Answer: First decide how much you are willing to pay. Do you
access the Internet at home or do you need it when you
travel? Do you need a fast connection or can you live with
slower, less costly service?
If you plan to use your e-mail mostly to reach family and
friends and can handle the intrusion of advertisements, free
Internet access might be a good alternative for you.
If you spend frequent time online and don't want to deal
with ads, you'll need to pay for service. You can choose a
plan with limited time or you may prefer unlimited time at a
set monthly fee.
You want to make sure that the dial-up access number offered
by the provider is not a long distance toll call. The
largest providers have numerous numbers or a toll-free
number that you can use to access the Internet throughout
the country.
You will probably have a choice between a dial-up Internet
service provider and a high-speed Internet service provider.
Many people use a 56K dial-up connection. It is easy and
fast and the monthly rate is the lowest.
If you access the Internet frequently, you may want
high-speed access. Your high-speed choices are digital
subscriber line, cable modem or wireless satellite.
Digital subscriber line — DSL — is the most common choice at
this point. It uses existing phone lines at a speed of up to
50 times faster than a 28.8K modem. It can cost from
$50-$300 and more per month plus installation charges. You
will need to purchase a DSL modem.
Broadband cable is offered by a cable company at rates
between $30 and $50 per month, plus set up and installation
charges. You must purchase a network interface card.
Satellite access is the most expensive and may not be
available. You must purchase a satellite modem, satellite
access software and a single-function antenna.
You can find local providers on the Internet at http://yellowpages.msn.com.
For more information about
selecting an Internet service provider, go to www.lowermybills.com.
There you'll find comparative
information for a number of different providers, but
remember, there are other providers than the ones listed at
this site.
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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