2torial #0913:
Learn2 Choose an Internet Connection

The need for speed

In recent years, great leaps and bounds have been made to speed up your Internet access. In fact, technology industry pundits expect the majority of U.S. users to have access to extremely high-speed (also called "broadband") access in the next few years (the rest of the world may be a bit behind that schedule).

Meanwhile, if you feel like you're spending half your life waiting for webpages to display on your computer, it may be time to look at different access options. And while not everything is available in all areas, choosing the right one that's available to you will likely heighten your Internet experience and lower your stress level overall.

Nearly everyone in the U.S. has access to Internet speeds that are faster than a standard 56k dial-up connection. This brings us to an old fable that's been told and retold by automotive enthusiasts for years: A youngster driving his first car takes it to a mechanic who is famous for building the fastest cars in the state. When the youngster asks the old hot rodder just how fast he can make the car go, the sage replies, "Speed costs money. How fast can you afford to go?" The same is true for Internet access.

Beyond 56k, higher speeds cost more money--in both equipment and the price of the access itself. With a little information, you'll be able to find a balance between what you want and what you can afford.