What should I look for in high speed internet access?
Freddie asked:
This is for my home. I want wireless high speed internet for multiple users. I also intend to use a VOIP telephone as the primary phone phone, so it also needs to be capable of supporting that.
I’m trying to find a reliable service that includes wireless internet and I’m not certain where to start.
Related posts:
- Do soldiers in Iraq get access to high speed internet at the base? Lions88 asked: Do all American soldiers/servicemen get access to high...
- What company offers cheap high speed internet service? BluEyes asked: I am paying $140 a month for high...
- How can I get Embarq to send me high speed internet? Heidie asked: Embarq, our telephone company has high speed internet...
- Can I get high speed internet through my phone line if I do not have a home phone? roaderfan61 asked: I cancelled my home phone service and only...
- How do you get high speed internet without using a phone line? Brian K asked: I was wondering if it’s possible to...
Filed Under Computer Networking |
Tagged With High Speed Internet, Multiple Users, Wireless Internet
Comments
3 Responses to “What should I look for in high speed internet access?”
All ISP`s support wireless, all you need is a wireless router (most ISP`s give you these when you sign up) or simply buy one yourself (bout £30)
Start with asking among your neighbours and friends - what Service Provider they are having and for how long? Are they satisfied and would gladly recommend their SP tp you? What is the cost they are incuring? Can you afford that much?.
Go in for a reliable (rather than reputed) Service Provider. Sometimes only the name is big!
If you already have a Cable TV Service, ask them. They can also send the Internet connection through the same cable. Will also cost you less.
If you are in the US, a good Bandwith - say 8Mbps or 8000 kbps-is easily available. It is essential for fast voice and video streaming. If the IService Provided can throw in a Wireless Router (free or at a marginal cost - you can also buy these for $ 30 to 40) then go for it. They will also install and run it for you.
It depends on where exactly you are, what services you can get, and what uses it plan to put it to.
Cable will generally provide higher download speeds than DSL but cable is a shared medium so your speeds can go down drastically during peak periods if your circuit is busy (eg lots of other users). Unfortunately, there’s no way to know if this is the case before ordering (unless you have a neighbor with cable and similar usage of broadband).
DSL will generally provide higher upload speeds and should always be more consistent on both (as it is a dedicated circuit). If you want very high speeds, DSL is more limited in areas available (you must be near the DSLAM). Also, DSL quality can vary some with the quality of the phone lines in your area (the phone company should be able to give you good info on this before you get the service).
If you happen to be in an area with FIOS or similar, I would definitely get that over other options (higher speeds, generally more reliable, etc).
If you will be running web servers (or any sort of server) accessible from the internet or if there will be a lot of file sharing (torrent, etc), you probably want DSL. If not, cable should be sufficient.
If by “wireless internet”, you mean WiMax or similar for accessing the internet directly, I have no experience or knowledge of it.
If by “wireless internet”, you mean a wireless router for use in your home, your best bet is to buy one from a decent local store (I like MicroCenter if there is one near you). You can
rent them from cable/DSL providers but will always end up paying more than the cost of buying one rather quickly.
I agree with Ich’s comment on VOIP. I would not recommend it as your primary phone as if your internet connection goes down so does you phone. If you don’t want a land line, I would recommend just using a cell phone over using VOIP.