Update your Windows for FREE

High Speed Internet Options
By: Scott Hendison � Published: September 1999

Well. We are now living in the year of the free computer. All you have to do is commit to three years of 56k Internet access at only 20% higher than the current normal rate, and you can get a "free" computer, worth about $500. Is that really a good deal?
By now, most of you know that the current standard for modem speeds is 56k. This is up from 33.6k, and 14.4k. Will you be happy with 56k access for 3 years? Are you even happy with 56k access now? The Internet is rapidly turning into thousands of multimedia-enriched sites, almost like TV and radio stations. Video and Audio players, along with web phones, etc. are just the tip of the iceberg. Real time Web broadcasts of special events are already happening. Regular dial-up modem access is quickly nearing the end of its life span, since it will not support the bandwidth of many newer Internet features.

Now there are many other options available to the home or small business user . . .

56k Unlimited Access - now priced from FREE (NetZero) to $24.99 per month. Standard telephone line access. Fine for e-mail, but file attachments and web pages load slowly. Microsoft is now even considering making MSN a free service. Watch out America Online, and all ISP's! Some local internet companies we recommend are IPNS and Quik Internet

Cable Modem Access - unlimited access - price about $42 monthly plus $150 for equipment and installation. Very fast, with speeds from 1 to 3 mbs download. That can be 100 times faster than your 28.8 modem. However, uploading is limited to 128k. Availability is limited in our area [Portland, OR], and each neighborhood shares bandwidth. That means that as more of your neighbors get online, your speed goes down. Still, it's very affordable and fast. Paragon & TCI Cable (Now AT&T Broadband) offers access in certain areas with more on the way.

ISDN - unlimited access, and prices start around $80 monthly plus about $270 for equipment. Installation varies greatly too. ISDN allows you to make and receive phone calls while online eliminating the need for a second phone line. Speeds only go up to 128k. It's better than 56k, but only about 3 times faster. If ASDL is not available yet in your area, this could be an option for you to consider. The only provider that I know of off hand in the Portland area is US West (Now QWest).

ADSL - unlimited access, and now much better priced from $40.00 monthly plus an installation fee of about $60. ADSL (or just "DSL") allows you to make and receive phone calls while online, eliminating the need for a second phone line. Speeds start at 256k for two way data transfers, which is easily 8 times faster than your best 56k connection. For only $10 more monthly, it allows for an "always live" connection, with no dialing necessary. Providers in the Portland area are US West (Now QWest), GTE NorthWest (Now Verizon), and Covad.

WantWeb - Priced at $149 monthly, for 150 hours per month, plus about $300 for equipment and installation. This microwave "line of sight" access uses an "antenna" to get blazing speeds of 1.5 mbs. That's 100 times faster than a 33.6 modem! You still need to use your phone line though for your outgoing data, which is still only 56k at best. You also need "line of sight" from your roof to the KGON red and white radio tower on the west hills of Portland. The company says two way access is coming. Find out more at WantWeb.

Satellite - New services available soon, with speeds up to 30mbs! That's 1000 times faster than your 28.8 modem. If you already have satellite TV, check with your provider for availability. One such service is the Dish Network.

Who knows which of these technologies will actually be the standard when the dust settles? Nobody. Probably none of them! It's a safe bet, though, that regular dialup is falling quickly. By the way, would you like to commit to three years of free US mail service? One catch though . . . all your mail will be sent and delivered by Pony Express stagecoach.