Options today for internet service providers (ISP) are much greater than they were ten years ago. At that time, the only choice was dial up internet service, which tied up the phone line, lost connection with incoming phone calls, and was torturously slow when trying to download or upload any type of information.
Today, there are several options for broadband ISP providers on the market. Not only are there numerous companies out there that provide the service, but there are several types of service to choose from depending on individual needs and the area in which the customer lives.
Three Choices
There are three basic choices in a broadband ISP provider, each of which has its own strengths and weaknesses: cable, DSL and satellite broadband providers.
Cable internet has been around the longest of the three and is probably still the most popular. Cable internet works by running the signals through the same fibers that the cable TV signals run through so that there can be concurrent service without interrupting either. It also serves to open up the phone lines again, whether through the traditional phone service, or through cable phone service. Cable broadband ISP providers also bundle their services so that cable TV and phone can be included with the internet, providing a discount from buying each service separately.
The main downfall of cable broadband ISP providers is bandwidth, since at high usage times of day, such at evenings; the speed of the service is reduced. Some companies have tried to offset this problem by giving customers a limit of downloads, but that has cause more complaints from the customers than the slower speeds caused, so most have been done away with or gone to a pay by GB plan.
DSL providers are very similar to cable providers in the speed of service and the bundling of services, which makes their pricing comparable. Both of these providers are viable options as business broadband providers, since they each have strong networking capacities. The main downfall of DSL broadband ISP providers is the slowing of service the further the customer is from the source, normally the main phone company.
Satellite broadband ISP providers are usually the last choice due to the price as well as a service that is not as fast as cable or DSL. Satellite providers require the buying of the equipment, which can be very expensive, close to five hundred dollars at the top end plus installation.