Which Broadband Service Do I Need

These days everything is fast. Fast food, fast cars, and of course high speed internet are necessary to life in the 21st century. You know you need it, but how do you decide which high speed internet service is right for you?

High speed internet, also known as broadband, moves information at 200,000 bits per second. Broadband lets you surf the web without blocking your phone line. It is also faster than dial-up. There are three widely available types of high speed internet services. These are DSL, cable, and satellite.

DSL is a type of high speed internet provided by your phone company. The signal travels over traditional phone lines to your computer. DSL is very fast. However, the speed of the connection may depend on how far the signal has to travel. DSL is not available in all areas. Also, this type of high speed internet connection requires a modem and an Ethernet card, which represent an additional up front cost.

Cable broadband requires no new hardware and is as fast as DSL. It uses the same coaxial cables that provide your cable television service. However, the service area is more limited than DSL. Additionally, too many users on the cable network can cause slower download and upload speeds.

Finally, high speed internet can be provided by satellite. This is convenient when you live outside of a Cable or DSL service area. Unfortunately, service is slower and can be interrupted by inclement weather.

Any one of these three types of high speed internet could work for you. When choosing between broadband services the most important question to ask yourself is: what is the fastest, most reliable service available to me?