When you use your computer, does it seem to take forever to connect to the Internet? Do you have to choose between using your computer and using your telephone? Do you have time to run a few errands every time you pull up a different website? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, chances are you have a dial-up Internet connection.
With so many high-speed Internet options available today, maybe it's time to switch from dial-up to a cable Internet broadband connection. It's never been easier - or more affordable. Below is a comparison of the two types of service.
Cable Internet vs. Dial-Up: Access and Reliability
Dial-up Internet connections share a line with your telephone. This mean you can use either your computer or your telephone, but not both at the same time. Also, you may face the inconvenience of losing your Internet connection if you receive an incoming phone call. But with cable Internet, you'll have an always-on Internet connection completely separate from your phone line, so the two won't interfere with one another.
Cable Internet vs. Dial-Up: Connecting to the Internet
In order to connect to the Internet with dial-up, your computer must run through a series of access phone numbers until a connection is made which takes time. With cable Internet, your connection is continual. You never have to wait to sign on to the Web because you're connected to the Internet 24/7, every day of the year.
Cable Internet vs. Dial-Up: Speed
A dial-up connection is the slowest way you can connect to the Web. The maximum speed of a dial-up connection is a plodding 56 kbps, but slower speeds of 40 to 50 kbps are more typical. This makes loading Web pages and downloading files incredibly time consuming. By contrast, cable Internet is now reaching lightening-fast speeds of up to 60 Mbps in some cities thanks to wideband technology (with more markets getting these faster speeds in the near future). And even non-wideband broadband connection speeds range from 1.5 to 20 Mbps - 50 to 70 times faster than dial-up. With a broadband connection, you'll be able to load websites quickly and download large files, movies, music, and more in a fraction of the time required for dial-up.
How to Switch from Dial-Up to Cable Internet
If you're ready for the blazing speeds and network reliability that cable Internet has to offer, it's easy to make the switch. Just check in the phone book or online to find out which cable providers serve your area. You can either call them or go to their website to check out special offers for new customers. And then sign up. It's that simple.
