High-Speed Internet or "Broadband"

High-speed Internet access, also known as "broadband", is both faster and more reliable than dial-up. As you may know, dial-up uses a telephone line connected to a modem. When you're online, you cannot use your telephone. That's very inconvenient or very expensive, if you, as some people do, have a seperate phone line for dial-up. With dial-up line noise that would not upset voice can cause problems for computers. Problems shown up as delays or dropped connections. Dial-up is very slow, too, by modern standards. That's easy to observe when compare the speed of home dial-up to a network speed where you work. Broadband is also "always on". Simply power on the computer and go -- again, just like most people are accustomed to at the office. So, speed, reliability, and convenience are why broadband is what everyone wants.

How do you get broadband?

You've got a few choices. Broadband access is available through most cable TV providers via existing CATV connections. You give them your credit card and they give you a cable modem. You plug your PC into the cable modem using the Ethernet card in your PC and an Ethernet cable. If you PC is less than 5 years old, it probably has an Ethernet card but you better verify that.

Another great alternative is DSL. DSL is carried over convential telephone wiring. This makes it easy to get the service to your home. But note, DSL does NOT interfere with your telephone the way a dial-up does. That is, with DSL you can be online and on the phone at the same time. Unfortuneately, DSL has distance limitations. Check with a provider to see if it is offered in your calling area. Verizon makes it easy to check, simply visit their web site and put in your area code and phone number - land line of course - and within a few seconds you'll know if it's available in your home. Many other companies are DSL providers but Verizon is an excellent choice. Not only is Verizon a top-tier vendor with a superior infrastrure (wiring, electronic gear, and so on) but they offer great pricing. In fact, you can get Verizon DSL right now for about the same price as dial-up.

So, check your calling area and get onboard. No more dial-up will let you surf at high-speed with no dropped connections. And, you'll be able to listen to music, download file with amazing speed, surf the web, and talk on the phone, all at the same time!