Internet Access (ISP Services)

Wow, talk about a confusing business... the ISP world, what the heck does that mean anyway?

ISP is "Internet Service Provider" and an ISP sells you and many other folks the link to the Internet for a monthly fee.  Without an ISP you cannot access the Internet.  Now we will look at some the many options available to you:

• Dial Up

  • The oldest method

  • Well proven technology over your existing phone line

  • Is the slowest, from 16 kb to 56 kb (kb = kilobyte or 1,000)

  • Available virtually everywhere there are phone lines
    

• DSL

  • Is available in many locations, but must be within 1 mile of the telephone service provider's CO or central office

  • The speeds can be up over 2 mb (megabytes or 1 million)

  • Frequently the speeds are less than 1.0, but greater than 300 kb

  • Much faster than dial up

  • The phone company likely charges you to "condition your line for DSL" which is a separate charge not usually spoken about and locally this can easily be $25 per month

  • They also charge you for the DSL service which is actually the Internet Access charge ranging from $29.95 up
    

• Wireless

  • A growing technology that is finally feasible for many

  • Does not require a phone line

  • Does not require an extra charge for line conditioning

  • Speeds tend to be much higher than DSL

  • Consistent performance and becoming more and more reliable

  • Competitively priced

• Cable

  • High speed

  • Can be packaged with TV

  • Service can be sporadic since the infrastructure was put in many years ago before high quality was important

  • A growing technology that is finally feasible for many

  • Does not require a phone line

  • Does not require an extra charge for line conditioning

  • Speeds tend to be much higher than DSL

  • Competitively priced
    

• T-1

  • The most expensive

  • Recent prices (Sept. 07) were around $499 per month

  • 1.5 mb both directions

  • Highly reliable

Just like computers there are business or commercial providers and consumer providers.  Give us a call at 303-678-2927 to discuss the list of those you may wish to avoid in your organization.