Internet & Broadband : Checklist: Before Purchasing Internet Service

Dial-up or broadband? DSL, cable, satellite, wireless, even broadband over power line are options for broadband service. Broadband connections differ significantly from the dial-up services many of us used when we first connected to the Internet. Broadband is much faster than traditional dial-up, and the connection is always on.

Practical Tips from ConsumerReports.org

ConsumerReports.org provides many practical tips for comparing options for Internet access. Most are free of charge. (Click here to access the latest reports on Internet services from Consumer Reports Online)

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Here are some of the basics for comparing Internet access options.

Dial-up

• Connection to the Internet via a modem and a traditional phone line.  The connection is slower than with broadband, and ties up your phone line so you can’t make calls. Downloading large files, such as video and music can take a long time. Dial-up will eventually disconnect without continued activity.
• Generally, less expensive than broadband, especially if the modem shares a phone line with your voice service.  However, users in some areas might incur toll charges for dialing in to the Internet Service Provider.

Broadband

"Broadband" services connect to the Internet at speeds significantly higher than dial up service.  Here are things you need to know about all broadband services.

• Generally more expensive than dial up service. There are often installation charges and installation can sometimes be complicated. 
• Doesn't tie up your telephone line.  Even if the service uses your current telephone wiring (like DSL does) you can still make calls and surf the Internet.
• Connects at faster speeds than dial-up. Higher speeds allow for faster downloading of large files, such as video and music.
• Continuous connection means that you can access the Internet without dialing a number. It also means that your connection is vulnerable to "hacking". Users should install Internet security software. Find out more inside this September 2007 ConsumerReports.org article.

The following types of broadband service, digital subscriber lines (DSL), cable, wireless, fiber optic, satellite and broadband over power lines (BPL) have their own issues to consider.

DSL ("Digital Subscriber Line")

• The technology uses the telephone lines already installed in homes and businesses and a digital modem. There is no need to "dial in" to DSL.
• Speed is impacted by the distance of the user from the telephone company's "central office."  If you are too far away, the service won't be available at all. When considering DSL the first thing to do is find out whether DSL is available to your home, and if so, how far away you are from the central office.
• You might need to filter your phones.  All the phones in your home might need to be attached to an inexpensive "DSL filter" that ensures that DSL will work with your telephone service.

Cable Modem

• Your home must have access to cable TV service in order for you to use a cable modem to access the Internet.  A cable modem is a device connected to your computer that connects to the Internet over the coaxial cable used for cable TV service.
• Connection speed is affected by the number of users on the system. The more of your neighbors using the cable modem at the same time, the slower the service.
• You rarely have a choice among cable Internet services.  About 98% of the country only has one cable company in their area.

Wireless Broadband

• Connection is through radio technology, rather than hard wires. There are two types of wireless Internet access.

• Fixed wireless uses a radio link from the customer's home or office location to the Internet service provider, such as through a rooftop antenna. 
  
• Mobile wireless, or "wi-fi" works the same way as wireless phone calls.  Wi-Fi allows users to connect their laptop computers to wireless "hotspots" at tens of thousands of different locations.
  
• Wi-Fi hotspots don't always let you roam.  Many consumers patronize businesses like coffee shops and cafes that provide free wireless Internet access to their customers.  Some businesses charge extra for the feature.  If you like to surf the web at a coffee shop near your home and their Wi-Fi hotspot is managed by one company, and the café close to the office's hotspot is managed by a different company, you might have to pay fees to each. Not every Wi-Fi hotspot provider lets you roam for free on another hotspot.

Internet Access Via Satellite

• Satellites are used to transmit phone, TV and data signals. High speed Internet access via satellite is another alternative that does not require a phone line.
• Installation can be tricky.  Activation can be more costly and complicated than other types of high speed service because a user must have a satellite dish, satellite Internet modem, and clear line of sight to the provider's satellite in the sky. Typically, only professionals can install satellite broadband.
• Sometimes the only choice for rural consumers. But the prices are among the highest.
• Typically, the download speed is considerably faster than the upload speed. Speeds are impacted by factors including the satellite provider, the consumer's line of sight to the orbiting satellite, the service package, and the weather.

Fiber-to-the-Home or Fiber-to-the-Neighborhood

• Competitive alternative. Communities across the country are being connected with high-speed fiber-optic networks directly to the home.  Several large telephone companies including AT&T and Verizon are building these networks to the home, or close to it.  Some of these networks directly compete with established cable companies, but in many areas they are the first high-speed options available for communities.
• More likely to be built in dense neighborhoods than rural areas.  Some smaller communities are being connected with fiber optic networks, but it can be very costly to deliver service to remote areas of the community.

Broadband over Power Line (BPL)

• An emerging technology for accessing the Internet over the existing electric power distribution network using a special modem. The signal is transmitted over the low voltage distribution grid and uses the existing electric wires and outlets for delivery of the signal inside the home or business.
• BPL is expected to access the Internet at speeds comparable to DSL and cable modem. Availability, however, is extremely limited to a few test markets.
• Interference between BPL and other communications and electronic devices is a potential problem.  Licensed amateur radio operators, also known as ham radio, argue that BPL reduces the range and increases static on their communications.  The problem stems from a lack of interference shielding and insulation on power lines.