ISPs

According to the most recent data from J.D. Power and Associates, about 65 percent of residential U.S. Internet users have a broadband connection (cable, DSL or satellite). And in reviews, experts push the benefits of broadband Internet over dial-up. A dial-up Internet connection requires tying up a phone line and lots of patience, since speeds are much slower than with broadband. However, even as more households make the switch, experts say dial-up Internet service will always have a place in the market. Dial-up service is also cheaper than ever, averaging $17.81 a month, versus $44.09 for high-speed Internet, according to J.D. Powers. Interestingly, dial-up customers are also more satisfied with their services than high-speed customers.

Speeds for any Internet service are expressed as kilobytes per second (Kbps) or megabytes per second (Mbps); there are about 1,000 kilobytes in a megabyte. For broadband, you'll see two speeds -- one for upstream and one for downstream. Upstream speeds determine how quickly you'll be able to do things like e-mail photos, send file attachments and upload information to your personal web page. Downstream speed affects how quickly you can perform the most common tasks like web surfing, downloading music or software or retrieving e-mail. When you see just one speed listed, it's generally the downstream speed. Given that you'll likely be downloading 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. By contrast, cable Internet service downstream speeds are rising dramatically. They can theoretically reach 30 Mbps downstream and 5 Mbps upstream now. Generally, the higher the speed, the higher the cost of service.

For DSL, speeds can vary a lot depending on the type of service and how far your home is from a switching station (more on this below). Typical DSL downstream speeds range from 1.5 Mbps to 3.0 Mbps, which is generally enough for most consumers. However, some companies like Verizon and AT&T offer cheap DSL packages with slower speeds that are fine for checking e-mail and browsing the Internet. For instance, Verizon's basic DSL service (*est. $18 per month) has a maximum downstream speed of 768 Kbps -- that's far slower than typical DSL, but still faster than dial-up. AT&T ’s service is slightly less (*est. $15 per month) and has similar download speeds. However, if you download lots of videos and files, experts say you should consider higher-speed DSL, cable or fiber with download speeds of about 5 Mbps to 20 Mbps. You’ll need to shell out $30 to $50 a month, though.

Fiber-optic broadband is another choice. There are two services: AT&T U-verse and Verizon FiOS. Of the two, FiOS is better known and more widely available, but it still serves only limited areas. If you can get it, speeds are blazingly fast -- up to 50 Mbps in certain regions. However, experts say most people don’t need this much speed and monthly costs can be high (*est. $180 per month). Instead, most people will be more than happy with the typical FiOS speeds of 5 Mbps/2 Mbps (*est. $40 per month) or 15 Mbps/2 Mbps (*est. $50 per month) .

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 Internet security software, including reports on firewalls , internet security software , anti-spyware and antivirus software . Many ISPs offer some kind of free security software.

Types of Internet service

”Broadband” is an umbrella term that includes several types of Internet access: cable, fiber-optic, DSL and satellite. As long as your computer is turned on and your modem is functioning, you are connected to the Internet. You don't need to log on or off and there's no waiting for access. Fiber is easily the fastest type of service, but availability right now is limited.

Cable broadband: This type of Internet service operates through cable TV wires, and the services offered in your area depend on your cable television company. Some broadband cable companies 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. Such an estimate also assumes that no other users are connected, since cable Internet users within a defined area share bandwidth. According to research conducted by PC Magazine, however, most cable providers are indeed faster than DSL.

Cable Internet connection speed fluctuates based on the number of users -- including TV users accessing services such as on-demand programming, which means speed can slow during peak hours. Besides high-speed Internet, another advantage to cable is that you may receive a hefty discount if you also buy your television service and digital phone from the same company. According to PC World’s survey, nearly two-thirds of the respondents said that they buy at least one other service from their ISP.

DSL: Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology uses existing copper telephone wires without interfering with voice service. It depends (among other things) on your distance from a telephone company switching station. 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.

If you're considering DSL, it's important to find out how close you are to the central office (CO). DSLReports.com has a tool to help you do this, and the free service will estimate the kind of speeds you can realistically expect.

So which is better, DSL or cable Internet? According to most reviewers, cable Internet has the edge -- but your decision will start with what's available in your area. Your cable TV provider can tell you what's available, and with which Internet service provider. Cable subscribers in areas served by Time Warner's Road Runner Cable or by Comcast can also opt for EarthLink as their cable Internet provider. Experts say both cable and DSL beat dial-up Internet, but speed differences between cable and DSL will vary depending on availability, provider and location. DSL often has a pricing advantage, though cable companies typically offer double or triple-play packages that include cable TV and VoIP telephone services that can save you money. Also, cable service satisfaction scores tend to be much higher than for DSL.

Fiber-optic Internet service: Fiber-optic is the newest broadband choice. Its main advantage is its very fast speed. Service areas are limited, however, as it requires a brand new network. Verizon's FiOS service is the main player for now, though AT&T is also busily laying fiber-optic cable and plans to reach 18 million households by year-end 2008. AT&T calls its system U-verse, which is sold bundled with television service. Speeds right now are much slower than Verizon's FiOS, though.

The bottom line: if fiber-optic Internet service is available in your area, it could be a great choice -- in speed tests, it smokes both cable and DSL, and costs are now competitive with cable service. Also, according to reports, fiber-optic subscribers -- especially FiOS subscribers -- are much more satisfied with the service’s speed, reliability and technical support than cable or DSL users.

Satellite: A satellite ISP is the last option for broadband. It's the least-used connection for residential broadband Internet service. But for those living in isolated, rural areas with no access to DSL or cable, satellite Internet service is about the only option. Like satellite TV, satellite Internet requires you to attach a dish to your home which then absorbs broadcasted Internet signals. Monthly fees range from $50 to over $80, and that doesn't include the hundreds required for hardware. Maximum data transmission speeds are currently around 1,500 Kbps downstream – quite a bit slower than other broadband offerings. Upload is also exceedingly slow since it relies on a standard dial-up connection.

Dial-up Internet: While a dial-up Internet connection is much slower than broadband, many ISPs such as EarthLink, Juno and AOL offer higher-speed dial-up access with "accelerated" or optimized services. These technologies use special caching schemes, file compression and filtering to increase the apparent connection speed using regular dial-up access. However, while web pages will appear to load faster, the actual throughput speed of 56 Kbps is unchanged. That means that streaming media, audio/video files, attachments, secure pages and many other types of information will not load any faster.

Best cable ISPs

The same cable service providers consistently get the best reviews. Your choice between them will depend mainly on what's available in your area since most people have only one or two available cable Internet providers. Bear in mind that prices and speeds can vary based on where you live.

If you live in the Midwest, WOW! cable (*est. $58 per month for 6.0 Mbps) is an excellent choice. Service areas include various parts of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. WOW! grabs high marks for its reliability, service and support. It offers several speed/pricing choices and its 4.0 Mbps (*est. $47 per month) is most competitive with other companies, but you can choose to pay less for slower connection speeds. Users get 10 MB of web space and five e-mail accounts. Customer service is a highlight; WOW! easily got some of the highest customer service scores among cable providers in J.D. Powers’ survey, and has rated highly in some other surveys as well.

Road Runner cable (*est. $45 per month for up to 10 Mbps downstream, though speed varies by region) is a division of Time Warner and is offered in cable areas serviced by Time Warner. Subscribers get five free e-mail boxes, each with 5 MB of storage. They also get access to free security software, which includes anti-spyware, antivirus, anti-spam and firewall software. Road Runner doesn't yet offer parental-control options, and the service gets only average ratings from PC World and J.D. Power surveys in most areas of the U.S. except the east coast, where it does not do as well.

Bright House also offers Road Runner cable service (*est. $60 per month for 10 Mbps, $45 per month for 7 Mbps; prices vary by region). Bright House's version of Road Runner gets somewhat better ratings than Time Warner’s version and it comes with more e-mail storage. Bright House serves parts of Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Indiana and California.

If you live in areas serviced by either Time Warner/Bright House or Comcast cable, you can also opt to subscribe to EarthLink cable instead. All EarthLink subscribers get eight e-mail accounts with 100 MB storage each, and each e-mail address gets 10 MB of server space for a personal web page (along with tools to help you build a web page). Extras include a top-notch antivirus and firewall tools. Costs vary by region. For those in a Time Warner/Bright House area, service costs about $42 for 5 Mbps, but speeds and prices vary by service area, and higher speed plans are available, as is a low-cost, low speed (768 Kbps, *est. $30 per month) plan. All EarthLink broadband Internet accounts also get 20 hours per month of free dial-up access for traveling Internet service, or if your cable Internet service is disrupted.

Generally, EarthLink gets higher ratings than Time Warner’s Road Runner and much higher ratings than Comcast, but one issue prevents it from being the slam-dunk choice it once was. In recent years, the company has chosen to outsource its customer service and technical support functions. While EarthLink Cable continues to score highly in some surveys, the most recent PC Magazine Reader Satisfaction Survey saw it take a tumble, with four other providers -- including Bright House Road Runner -- surpassing it in readers' eyes. Still, if you live in areas served by Time Warner or Comcast, it might be worth investigating.

Cox cable got mixed reviews this year. Subscribers gave the ISP lower satisfaction marks in the east and higher marks in the south and west. However, Cox (*est. $42 per month) received higher scores for its reliability and service from customers in surveys conducted by Computerworld.com. With Cox, the cable modem is free if you install it yourself. The Cox Security Suite includes a spam-blocker, popup blocker, antivirus software and parental control features, and you get seven e-mail accounts. Standard Cox cable Internet service touts up to 7.0 Mbps downstream, though it’s much slower upstream. Although the service is expensive, the cost drops to around $10 per month if you bundle it with another service, such as cable TV.

Cablevision's ISP division is Optimum Online cable (*est. $55 per month). Optimum Online is rated the fastest cable broadband service -- reaching speeds up to 30 Mbps -- in an article at PC Magazine on the “Fastest ISPs in America.” You get five e-mail accounts and limited dial-up access, so you can access your e-mail anywhere. You also get a free cable modem. Internet security tools include anti-spam software, a popup blocker, antivirus, a firewall and parental controls. Recently, Optimum Online was offering a lower rate of $30 for 12 months. While every ISP has some kind of discount introductory rate, most are only good for three or six months; then the regular rate kicks in. J.D. Power, PC Magazine and others give it generally high grades. Reliability and customer support are said to be top-notch. However, Cablevision is not the largest provider -- servicing mainly the east coast and the NY metro region.

In the end, any of these cable ISPs can be good choices. However, in most cases your choice is limited by your cable company. The exception is EarthLink Cable, which is offered in Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House service areas. Though EarthLink gets higher ratings than Time Warner or Comcast thus far, the recent technical support issues are troubling.

Best DSL Internet service

Though reviews say DSL service isn't generally as fast as a cable Internet connection, DSL is often less expensive. Now that providers are offering different speed/price levels, there's an option for those who want something faster than dial-up, but are willing to sacrifice top speeds for a lower price. As with cable service, your choice depends a lot on what's available in your neighborhood. However, DSL gets lower satisfaction scores than cable, according to PC World. So, if you have the choice, cable broadband is usually the better choice.

Verizon broke the mold when it introduced slower and cheaper DSL. Early on, this service received some criticism; part of the controversy involved a lack of understanding (on the part of consumers) and a lack of total disclosure (on the part of Verizon) when it comes to DSL speeds. Most DSL is now rated at either 1.5 Mbps or 3.0 Mbps. But Verizon's low cost service (*est. $18 per month) was for a much slower type of DSL that runs at a maximum downstream speed of 768 Kbps. While that's faster than dial-up (about 56 Kbps), it’s a lot slower than other DSL or cable connections.

Regular Verizon DSL service runs at a maximum downstream speed of 3.0 Mbps (*est. $30 with one-year contract) . So for the extra $12 over Verizon's basic DSL, you get about four times the speed. On a price/performance basis, there's no question that Verizon's regular $30 plan is the better deal, but Verizon's 768 Kbps DSL is still over ten times faster than dial-up, and it costs less than EarthLink and most other dial-up providers. Plus, it shares the inherent advantages of broadband, in that the service is always on – with no waiting for access -- and it doesn't tie up your phone line. A one-year commitment for the regular plan also includes a free modem and wireless router – which allow you to network multiple computers for a wireless home network. PC World’s recent survey says that Verizon’s connection reliability is above average.

AT&T DSL also offers a low-cost plan (*est. $15 per month) that gets you 768 Kbps speeds. Though the service didn’t get high satisfaction scores for reliability and support, it does offer satisfactory service at a fairly low price according to reports. J.D. Power’s 2007 survey ranked AT&T DSL as average in the west and north central regions, but it was above average in the east. Though customer service and overall satisfaction may generally not be the best, AT&T is still less expensive than most dial-up services, and if cost is your main priority, the low price could tip the balance in AT&T's favor.

We should mention that the fastest DSL provider in PC Magazine's estimation is a Seattle-based company called Speakeasy. Its pricing is higher than average for DSL, but that doesn't seem to bother its satisfied customers. Speakeasy's basic 6.0 Mbps service costs $50 per month – but it’s nearly as fast as cable. The downside is that it shares a line with your phone. Speakeasy's 6.0 dedicated line plan (*est. $60) is also available. Though the company earned the highest satisfaction scores of any DSL providers in PC Magazine's 2006 Customer Satisfaction Survey, it received too few reports in the latest survey to even make the list.

Fiber-optic cable

Verizon has been rolling out a new fiber-optic cable network in its 30-state arena. Dubbed FiOS , it uses a dedicated fiber-optic cable system to deliver typical downstream speeds of 5.0 Mbps to 30 Mbps (2.0 Mbps to 5.0 Mbps upstream) at three different price levels. In addition, downstream rates as high as 50 Mbps and upstream rates as high as 20 Mbps are available in some areas. The base plan (*est. $40 per month) offers 5.0 Mbps speeds downstream and up to 2.0 Mbps upstream -- the upstream speed is generally faster than cable or DSL, and one of the main advantages of fiber-optic. Other plans include 15 Mbps downstream/2.0 Mbps upstream (*est. $50) and 30 Mbps downstream/5.0 Mbps upstream (*est. $180 per month). You must sign a one-year contract to get free installation. The new fiber-optic cable can also carry digital TV signals, although TV availability is even more limited than Internet. If Verizon FiOS is available in your area, PC Magazine, PC World and others say you should get it -- it is far faster than other broadband, and customers give it the highest ratings among any Internet service.

AT&T is also running fiber-optic cable to neighborhoods in 13 states, though it isn’t nearly as fast as Verizon’s offering because AT&T’s version uses copper wiring for the last leg to the home (FiOS is fiber-optic to the premises). Indeed, on the AT&T website, download speeds for its U-verse fiber-optic service are only 6.0 Mbps. And consumers have complained on user forums that it’s difficult to implement. To get U-verse you must buy your Internet service bundled with TV service (starting at *est. $60 per month).

Dial-up Internet service

With companies like AT&T and Verizon rolling out lower-speed, affordable DSL to compete with dial-up, it's hard to recommend a slower dial-up plan except in cases where DSL is not available.

EarthLink dial-up service (*est. $10 for three months; $22 thereafter) gets mixed reviews. PC World Magazine gives EarthLink only average marks for its reliability and support. However, J.D. Power dished out perfect scores to EarthLink‘s dial-up service in the same two categories. PC Magazine also says that EarthLink is the best dial-up provider, but adds, "that's like being someone's favorite black-and-white TV." Software features are similar to what you get with other EarthLink services, with the same spam filtering and antivirus features. EarthLink dial-up has an accelerator feature that helps some text and graphics on web pages load faster (though not as fast as broadband). Given EarthLink’s high price and mixed reviews, AT&T or Verizon’s budget DSL plans make more sense for most people. They’re cheaper and faster, and they don’t tie up your phone line. In addition, EarthLink’s call center issues extend to its dial-up services.

PeoplePC is worth trying if you want a cheaper alternative. Surveys say that PeoplePC has good customer support. The dial-up service starts at about $5.50 a month for the first three months; then the price increases to about $11 per month. You can also try it for free for 30 days and no credit card is required. If you want an accelerator feature and security software, PeoplePC also has a Security Plus plan (*est. $8 for three months, then $16 per month). Features include virus protection, a popup blocker, spam filter, four e-mail accounts and webmail. Given its fairly high rating and low price, PeoplePC is an option to consider if you are looking for an inexpensive dial-up service. PeoplePC doesn't work with Mac computers.

If you only occasionally use the Internet, and don't want to spend $10 to $20 for dial-up or low-speed DSL, companies like Juno and NetZero offer free Internet access in return for being allowed to park advertising windows on your screen. You can generally move around, but not close, the ad boxes. The ad window can be annoying, depending on the size of your monitor and your tolerance level. Some free ISPs also attach ads to your e-mail, incoming and outgoing, resulting in the risk of having your messages perceived as spam by recipients.

Juno and NetZero are both owned by the same corporate parent United Online. But, both can be accessed by their respective names and offer identical services and prices. Both also score relatively well in customer satisfaction surveys. Bottom line: a free ISP is a good way for novices to try out e-mail and the web without making a financial commitment. They can also be useful as a second service. For example, even if you have a broadband Internet connection at home, it may not include a dial-up phone number for Internet access while you're away from home. Free ISPs can also serve as a backup in case your primary Internet service provider has temporary problems, such as power outages. But keep in mind that both Juno and NetZero have a cap on free access at ten hours per month, charging a monthly fee (*est. $10) for any usage above that.

Wireless Internet service

Wireless Internet service is now widely available. For travelers and anyone else needing mobile Internet service, many locations such as cafés, airports, hotels and restaurants provide wireless Wi-Fi connectivity, usually for a fee. The downside is that you need to be close to an access point.

Wi-Fi is now going one step further with WiMax technology, which extends broadband wireless over longer distances (up to 30 miles vs. 300 feet) and at higher speeds than current Wi-Fi systems. In addition to distance and speed advantages, WiMax also eliminates the need for line-of-sight transmission.

Right now, you can get WiMax PC card adapters for your laptop through cell-service companies such as Verizon. Access service usually costs $80 to $100 per month via most providers for unlimited connectivity. Service is getting faster and faster -- you can expect downstream speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps. Excellent high-speed wireless broadband coverage is now available in most metropolitan areas and suburbs, according to a buyer’s guide published in PC World.

For now, the EVDO wireless service is the most established network, says PC World. It’s offered by Sprint and Verizon and speeds reach up to 3.1 Mbps. The UMTS/HSDPA broadband technology is offered by AT&T and is less developed, though it’s being rapidly rolled out in urban areas. It reaches speeds up to 3.6 Mbps. EDGE data service is the least used, and it’s slower than the other broadband technologies with maximum rates of only 236 Kbps. It’s offered by AT&T and T-Mobile.

Less than 8 percent of the 6,400 people surveyed by PC World use high-speed mobile services, though. And the technology is still too young to yield meaningful ratings.

Satellite Internet service

Satellite Internet service is typically seen as the poor cousin to DSL and cable. Traditionally, satellite service is costly, slow and unreliable. But that scenario is changing. Hughes Network Systems is launching satellites that bear more sophisticated technology and greater access to customers. Already, download speeds have increased to 1.5 Mbps.

Even so, satellite broadband is really only a worthwhile option for people seeking a higher speed Internet connection in areas where DSL, fiber-optics or cable are not available. Even with faster download speeds, uploads require a dial-up connection and are very slow. Among satellite Internet providers, HughesNet is one option, but it's expensive (*est. $80 per month for 1.5 Mbps downstream, plus hardware and installation costs).

Important Features: ISPs

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

• Expect to pay less than $15 per month for a dial-up connection and about $40 per month for unlimited broadband Internet. You should check the fine print for extra charges, for example, if you exceed a particular usage quota for e-mail server space, or hits to or downloads from your personal web page. You can usually lower your monthly fee by obtaining your Internet access from the same Internet service provider as your local cable provider, long-distance company or wireless phone service.

• Many people use their home Internet service mostly on evenings and weekends, and can't call and deal with problems when they're at work or at school, so 24/7 technical service is essential. In any case, it's easier to resolve most Internet access problems if you can be at your computer when you call. Many Internet service providers now provide "live chat" customer service, which allows you to type in a question and receive a response in real time.

• While speed is important, reliability is king. Broadband is touted as being around 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.com suggests that the best way to gauge reliability is by asking your neighbors. Or, you can check out BroadbandReports.com for user reviews on service reliability in your area.

• How a service performs for you depends on its network infrastructure in your specific area. Try to check with someone nearby who uses the ISP you're considering, and ask about any busy signals (in the case of dial up) or downtime (in the case of DSL or cable/fiber-optic broadband) they may have experienced.

• If you are considering an upgrade to DSL, cable or other high-speed Internet services, you may have to change your e-mail address. Some users choose to keep an old account open for a while after subscribing to a new service for that reason. But once you're sure everyone has your new address, there's no need to subscribe to two separate services unless keeping an old e-mail address active is essential. You may also be able to upgrade to broadband without switching providers or e-mail address, as many national dial-up ISPs now offer broadband Internet service.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Prices
4	Verizon FiOS (fiber)	(*est. $50 per month)
4	Optimum Online (Cablevision)	(*est. $55 per month)
3	Cox cable	(*est. $42 per month)
3	EarthLink cable	(*est. $42 to $78 per month)
2	WOW! Cable	(*est. $58 per month)
2	Bright House cable (Road Runner)	(*est. $45 per month)
2	Time Warner cable (Road Runner)	(*est. $45 per month)
2	Juno dial-up	(*est. Free for 10 hours per month, $10 thereafter)
2	PeoplePC dial-up	(*est. $11 per month)
2	AT&T Basic DSL	(*est. $15 per month for 768 Kbps)
2	Verizon DSL	(*est. $18 per month for 768 Kbps)
1 each	EarthLink DSL, Speakeasy DSL

Customers are pretty ecstatic about Verizon FiOS fiber-optic broadband, but the service area is limited right now. AT&T scores well for its low-cost DSL plan. EarthLink dial-up gets good reviews, but AT&T’s basic DSL package is less expensive and faster. If you want free dial-up access, Juno is one option, but your access is limited to ten hours per month. At $11 per month, PeoplePC dial-up is less expensive than EarthLink dial-up and AT&T's basic $15 DSL. Cablevision's Optimum Online and WOW! get good grades, but availability is limited. EarthLink Cable also scores well, but concerns about technical support muddy the picture.

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