DSL Internet Connection
DSL, or digital subscriber line, is one high-speed Internet connection option available. DSL connections work by using your existing phone line and special hardware that allows for a constant connection to the Internet and your voice telephone. You can talk on the telephone and visit websites at the same time. DSL is relatively inexpensive, about $20.00 a month (as of October 2009). There is a connection fee. Different package options are available through most local telephone companies, including AT&T and Qwest.
Satellite Internet Connection
Ideal for rural areas, a satellite Internet connection provides an excellent alternative to dial-up Internet service by offering speeds up to 5 Mbps (a measurement of data transfer) depending on the package you select. Satellite Internet service is available in the contiguous 48 states of the United States from a number of carriers including HughesNet Satellite Internet, Wildblue Satellite Internet, Skyway USA Satellite Internet and Starband Satellite Internet. The Internet service does have a higher initial cost than DSL and other Internet options. Satellite Internet connections are affected by weather conditions and can have some transmission issues at times.
Wireless Connections
Wireless or Wi-Fi high-speed connections are a reliable high-speed Internet connection option often found for free at local libraries and coffeehouses. Commercial wireless Internet service providers include T-Mobile, Boingo, Verizon Wireless and Clearwire. Wireless Internet plans generally include country-wide Internet access coverage and free equipment in some cases if your computer is not equipped with a wireless connection card or built-in wireless connection adapter. Wireless high-speed Internet service runs about $29.99 per month (as of October 2009) if you sign a one-year contract.
Broadband Cable Internet
Another high-speed Internet connection option is broadband cable. This connection splits your cable television line into two separate lines, feeding both television programming and the Internet. The high-speed Internet connection is supplied to your computer via a Ethernet cable and a cable modem. Broadband cable connections are available from a variety of cable television carriers including Time Warner and Comcast. The service is generally bundled with another service such as digital telephone service, but can also be purchased separately. Broadband cable is about 70 times faster than a 56K dial-up Internet connection in most cases. Download speeds are generally between 8 to 16 Mbps. Different speed packages vary in price, and a basic high-speed cable Internet package starts around $20 per month during a promotional period (as of October 2009).