Web Access
There are many factors to consider when choosing your ISP (Internet Service Provider). The answers can sometimes be confusing with the seamingly endless number of companies fighting for your business. A review of your current and future business practices on the internet is a good place to start.
Some questions to ask yourself: Do you have a company website? Do you have your own email server? Do you have a remote workforce? Do your critical applications use the internet? What happens if your internet goes down?
In the chart below we'll try to layout some of the differences between your current options.
Dial-up
Requirements
Land-based phone line from your local phone company
Dial-up modem for each computer
Subscription to a dial-up ISP (can do yearly)
Wireless is not an option
Service
56 Kb/s max
56 Kb/s max
DSL
Speed - download
Speed - upload
Land-based phone line from your local phone company
DSL modem (purchase or rent)
Switch for multiple computers to connect
- This is built into many modems supplies by vendor
Optional wireless module
Typically 1 yr - 3 yr contract
Residential
1.5 Mb/s
Commercial
7-12 Mb/s
Cable
T1/T3
Cable modem (purchase or rent)
Switch for multiple computers to connect
Optional wireless router
Typically 1 yr - 3 yr contract
Router
Switch for multiple computers to connect
Typically 3 yr - 5 yr contract
Commercial
7 - 10 Mb/s
1.5 Mb/s
Commercial
1.5 - 3 Mb/s896 Kb/s
Commercial
1.5 - 3 Mb/s1.5 Mb/s
Commercial
10-16 Mb/sCommercial
7 - 10 Mb/s
Notes
Good bandwidth for multiple users. Easily configured.
Inexpensive but potential downtime.
Recommended 2-3 users.
Above average bandwidth. Easily configured. Stable connectivity.
Recommended 5-10 users.
Excellent bandwidth. More complex setup. Stable connectivity.
Recommended 10+ users.
Not a viable option for business use.
Recommended 1 user - web browsing only