Jul 18 2008
Is Broadband Right for You?
The choice between accessing the internet from a high speed connection or from an archaic dial-up connection is abundantly clear. If you have ever made the mistake of trying to visit a webpage that had even the simplest graphics, you quickly realize that life without an accelerated internet connection is no life at all. The question really is not do you need a faster connection but what will this upgrade cost and how much of an inconvenience will it be to get it set up.
When it comes to money, many broadband providers like “Comcast” are running a number of “Comcast Specials” to help ease the transition from a $9.95 a month service to the higher amount paid for broadband. They will offer lower introductory rates to allow a person to “try” the service. 95% of the people who try broadband will stick with some kind of high-speed access due to the convenience, speed and just plain fun of surfing at light speed.
Okay, so you realize that surfing the web with dial-up is no longer an option, and you know that you will have a much more rewarding experience with a high speed internet connection. However, the challenge to you moving forward may be the confusion of exactly who to choose for your service. Let’s face it, companies like Comcast are advertising daily for you to try their Comcast Specials on radio, television and of course online. So, who do you believe?
In addition to being affordable, high speed internet service providers like Comcast are also including in their packages, some of the very best security options available today. With a faster connection you can easily have all of your virus and spam protection software updated. With the old style 56k modem, this was unheard of.
The reason for this is simple. There are far too many ISPs out there who will take the time to explain the details to you. If not managed, the internet can be a dangerous place. You need a company you can trust and rely upon to deliver fast and affordable service.
The next thing you should pay attention to when choosing between service providers is the level of speed you need from an internet connection. While it’s clear that everyone in this day and time needs something more than a dial-up connection, it is not as clear as to what that would mean. While it may be cool to have the fastest internet on the block it may not be necessary.
If you go with DSL, there is another security layer added in that broadband DSL users have their own private telephone lines connected to their service provider. If you use broadband, and security is an issue, it is very easy to firewall and cable or hardwire your connection to the Internet, increasing the speed of connection (wireless connections until recently ran at 50-75% the speed of hard wire cable connections).
Although privacy and secure online connections are quickly becoming the norm, if you are still concerned about your protection, then you should definitely consider a cable connection. Just imagine, being able to connect with friends during live chat sessions or watching your favorite television shows all at the click of a mouse.