Types of Internet service

Broadband is an umbrella term that includes several types of always-on Internet access: cable, fiber optic, DSL and satellite. As long as your computer is turned on and your modem is functioning, you're connected to the Internet. Fiber-optic service, usually provided by your local telephone company, is easily the fastest type of service, but availability remains limited. Cable broadband operates through cable TV wires and the services offered in your area depend on your cable television company. Some cable ISPs claim to be up to 100 times faster than dial-up Internet and four times faster than DSL, but actual Internet connection speed depends on a lot of variables.

Digital subscriber line (DSL) technology uses existing copper telephone wires without interfering with voice service, so you can talk on the phone and surf the Internet at the same time. Unlike dial-up or cable Internet, DSL connections vary with distance; the farther away you are from the issuing company's central office, the slower your DSL connection. A satellite ISP is the least-used connection for residential broadband Internet service. Compared to other alternatives it's both expensive and slow, but for those living in isolated, rural areas with no access to DSL, cable or wireless access points, satellite Internet service may be the only option. Mobile broadband is another alternative; see our related report.

For those who can't access broadband or don't want to pay its higher price, a dial-up Internet service may be the way to go. While connection speeds are much slower than broadband, many ISPs offer higher-speed dial-up access with accelerated or optimized services. While these technologies use special schemes to increase the apparent connection speed, the actual throughput speed is unchanged. That means that streaming media, audio/video files, attachments, secure pages and many other types of information won't load any faster.

What ISP connection speeds can you expect?

Speeds for any Internet service are expressed as kilobits per second (Kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps); there are about 1,000 kilobits in a megabit. For broadband, you'll see two speeds -- one for upstream and one for downstream. Upstream speeds determine how quickly you can email photos, send file attachments and upload information to your personal web page. Downstream speed affects how quickly you can perform the most common tasks such as web surfing, downloading music or software, or retrieving email. When you see just one speed listed, it's generally the downstream speed. Since you'll likely download much more than you upload, downstream speed is the more important specification for most home users.

For dial-up, both upstream and downstream speeds are about 30 Kbps to 56 Kbps, and the speeds haven't bumped up much in recent years. In contrast, fiber-optic and cable Internet service downstream speeds are rising dramatically. For example, Verizon FiOS now claims maximum theoretical download speeds of 150 Mbps and upload speeds of 35 Mbps. DSL speeds can vary a lot, but downstream speeds typically range from less than 1 Mbps to 8 Mbps, which is generally enough for most users.

Broadband Internet connections are on whenever your computer is on, so there are some additional security risks you must consider. You'll want to read our other reports on firewalls, Internet security software, anti-spyware and antivirus software. Many ISPs offer some kind of free security software.

Here's what reviews say to look for in a paid Internet service provider:

  • Consider a bundle. You can usually lower your monthly fee by obtaining Internet access from your local cable provider, long-distance company or wireless phone service. The best discounts are typically offered on bundles that include Internet, TV and phone service. Count on having extra fees and taxes added to whatever base price is advertised.
  • While speed is important, reliability is king. Broadband is touted as being about 100 times faster than dial-up and dial-up has been enhanced for faster loading, but if your service is unavailable, speed doesn't matter. CNET suggests the best way to gauge reliability is to ask your neighbors, or check out BroadbandReports.com for user reviews on service reliability in your area.
  • Decide which is more important to you, speed or cost. There's generally a trade-off between speed and cost, which is why fiber-optic Internet access is the most expensive. Given the choice between two reliable providers, for example, one DSL and the other cable, you can get a slower DSL connection for less; two of the DSL providers we review here offer plans for $25 per month.

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