To choose the right high-speed internet service provider, consider options like cable and DSL for city dwellers, and satellite or 4G WiMax for those in remote areas. Compare pricing, connectivity, and speed capabilities, and consider whether your home is prewired for cable or telephone service. DSL historically has been faster than cable, but cable may be faster in some areas. Satellite internet may be the best choice for those in rural areas, but high latency may be an issue. WiMax can be a solid high-speed ISP, but proximity to cell towers is important.
High-speed Internet options have come a long way since the days of dial-up. To choose the right high-speed ISP it is important to understand your options and weigh them against your needs. If you live in or near a city, you likely have a choice between Cable and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service. Considerations between these two options include whether your home is prewired for cable service, what bundle packages may be offered, and how fast each is capable of in your area. Sometimes it’s easier to use your current landline or cable provider as your high-speed ISP, but to get the best price and service, it’s a good idea to weigh all your options. If you live in a remote area, your only options for high-speed ISP may be satellite service and 4G WiMax. To pick the better of these two options you might do well to compare pricing structures, connectivity issues, and speed capabilities.
Cable Internet is provided over the existing cable television infrastructure, while DSL is provided over the existing telephone infrastructure. If your home is already wired for cable and telephone, it should cost little to get started with a high-speed cable or DSL ISP. These two major sources of high-speed Internet are often available from existing providers of cable television and telephone service. This has the effect of simplifying billing, and these providers often offer bundled packages to save you money. However, often you are not locked into using their services. Third-party providers will sometimes be able to offer cable or DSL Internet service, so it’s a good idea to look for these options in your area as well.
As far as speed and performance are concerned, DSL has historically been faster than cable, although the infrastructure in your area and available plans will be the determining factors. Many times cable will actually be the faster of the two services in some areas, although it’s important to consider that cable Internet typically suffers more from slowdowns than DSL during peak hours. If consistent, uninterrupted speed is important to you, then DSL will likely be the way to go. However, if cost is the more important concern, be sure to look at comparable speed packages from both cable and DSL providers. DSL providers have commonly offered faster speeds at higher prices, and cable providers are also doing so in various markets. So it’s important to compare apples to apples in terms of speed.
Satellite internet for those living in rural areas usually involves a small satellite dish, similar to those used for satellite television, while 4G WiMax uses wireless signals from existing cell towers. Each of these has advantages and disadvantages to consider. If you live in a rural area or travel a lot in an RV, satellite internet may be the best choice for you. It is often not possible to get cable or DSL in remote areas. However, when considering satellite Internet, it is important to take into account the high latency that may be experienced in some applications, such as games. If you don’t play on the internet, you probably won’t care.
WiMax can also exhibit high latency, although this is largely dependent on your location as far as 4G-enabled cell towers are concerned. This can be a solid high-speed ISP in terms of both speed and price, although you should determine where the closest cell towers are located before choosing one. If you are too far from cell towers, your speed may be fast, but your latency may also increase with a high-speed WiMax ISP.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
