Choosing the ISP (Internet Service Provider) plan that is right for you can be confusing if you are unsure about what each plan offers and the types of Internet connections that are available in your local area. Here is some information that will help you discover what types of connections are available as well as the type of ISP plan that will suit your individual needs.
Types of ISP Connections
There are different types of ISP connections which are available and if you know what they are you can find out which ones are available in your local area.
- Dial-Up: A dial-up connection is an ISP connection that uses your telephone line to connect to the Internet. Dial-up requires you to have a telephone and a modem installed in your PC. Although dial-up is available in just about every area, it is also the connection with the slowest speed.
- DSL: DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line and uses your telephone line to establish a broadband Internet connection. Unlike dial-up, broadband is a much faster connection and does not tie up your telephone line to connect to the Internet. With broadband you can talk on the telephone and surf the Internet at the same time.
- Cable: To acquire a cable connection, you must have cable service available in your area. A cable Internet connection is a permanent connection to the Internet and runs at a much faster speed than a modem connection. Cable is convenient because you do not have to log on every time you want to check your email or access the Internet.
- Satellite: A satellite Internet connection is achieved through the use of a satellite dish. This is also a much faster connection but is more expensive than some of the other types of connections. Satellite is helpful if you live in a rural area that has limited choices when it comes to Internet connectivity. All you need is a clear view of the south so you can establish a connection with the satellite dish.
Choosing the Right ISP Plan
To make sure you choose the right ISP plan, there are some things you should consider before reviewing the plans that Internet Service Providers offer.
- Your Purpose for Using the Internet: Decide on the purposes for which you will be using the Internet and if you will be using it for business or personal use.
- How Often You Use the Internet: Determine how often you will be using the Internet. If it is quite often, you will want a faster connection to save time with daily tasks.
- Types of Applications: Decide on the types of applications you will be using. For example, if you are using a lot of multimedia, a dial–up connection will be too slow to run these types of applications.
- Tech Support: Determine whether you will need tech support around the clock or just during normal business hours.
- Download Requirements: Decide on how much downloading you will need to do such as emails, movies, and games. If you plan on downloading a lot, then you will need a fast Internet connection.