What is Broadband Hi-Speed Internet?

Broadband has come to mean any internet access faster than 56K dialup speeds, which includes both DSL and Cable. Broadband cable internet access beats dial-up hands down: much higher speeds, always on (no need to dial-up, get connected, get disconnected), surf the web without using phone line. High-speed Internet access makes it possible to handle much larger audio and video and multimedia files. Since people normally download much more than they upload, download speeds are optimized and can normally achieve several MB/sec. Upload speeds are normally a fraction of that - more like 400KB/s. Companies like Comcast normally have special sign up offers for new customers - first 6 months or 12 months at $19 per month, then the rate increases to their normal higher rate. They sometimes throw in a free modem as well, so be sure to contact them (or whoever your local cable company is) first before going out and buying a cable modem.

Cable vs. DSL vs. Satellite:
In some areas, DSL is another option instead of cable. It uses your normal phone lines for high speed internet access, but is only available in locations that are within a specific range of a telephone company switching station (normally a few miles). You can also get broadband internet access via satellite (like Dish network TV) - however you still need a phone line connection for uploading data or communicating (since the satellite dish only RECEIVES data from the satellite and cannot SEND info, like what web page you want to see next).

Buying a Cable Modem

• Motorola SURFboard Cable Modem - about $69
• D-Link Cable modem - about $45
• Linksys Etherfast Cable Modem - about $59