Akron, Ohio
What You Need to Know About High Speed Internet
What is High Speed Internet?
You have probably seen the commercials for "high speed Internet" service, and wonder exactly what high speed Internet is, what makes it so different from, or better than, the dialup service you have now, and how you can benefit from it.
High speed Internet is exactly that - connection to the Internet at very high speeds. There are two primary forms of high speed Internet access: cable Internet high speed service, offered in Akron by Comcast and Embarq, and DSL, offered by AT&T/Yahoo and Verizon in Akron.
Types of High Speed Internet: DSL vs. Cable Modems
Both cable modems and DSL provide the speed and convenience of high speed Internet connections along with strong security. Cable companies boast that cable high speed Internet connections are faster than DSL. While this may be true, some technical factors, which are difficult to explain, can cause cable modems to be slower than advertised, though still very fast.
In Ackron, AT&T offers DSL service starting at as $14.99 monthly, at their slowest high speed Internet connection speed, which is still much faster than dialup. They offer various packages with higher speeds, as well. Verizon DSL starts at 12.95.
Comcast\\\\\\\'s high speed Internet access on cable modems, are comparable to DSL for current cable customers, start with a $19.99 per month package for the first 6 months. Comcast says their speeds are up to 7 times faster than DSL. That may or may not be true for you, but if speed is very important to you, it\\\\\\\'s probably worth trying cable modems over DSL.
Can DSL Cable Modems Change the Way You Surf?
You may not realize how valuable high speed Internet service can be to you, especially if you don\\\\\\\'t download large files on a regular basis and use your Internet connection primarily for personal surfing
However, there are several distinct advantages to high speed Internet service.
- When you use DSL or a cable modem instead of a dialup Internet connection, you do not tie up your phone line while you\\\\\\\'re on the Internet.
- Since you\\\\\\\'re always online, there are no frustrating "inability to connect" errors.
- With high speed Internet services, you are always online, so if you use the Internet often, you don\\\\\\\'t have to keep dialing up.
- DSL and cable modems are not as likely to time out or disconnect as dialup connections. There is the obvious advantage of being able to surf faster, and download faster, which may or may not really matter that much to you.
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Another Advantage of High Speed Internet: Internet Phone Service
Businesses have been using Internet phone service, called Voice Over IP (VOIP), for some years now, but it\\\\\\\'s finally coming to residential customers. Advantages of VOIP include pricing and convenience, and several companies offer VOIP service in Akron, including First Communications and Vonage.
Making the High Speed Internet Decision
If you use the Internet frequently, want the advantage of high speed Internet connections, and want more reliable service, a cable modem or DSL could be the right choice for you.
High Speed Hot-Spots in Akron
High speed Internet has another advantage - you can take your WIFI-enabled laptop to a hot-spot and connect to the Internet while drinking a cup of coffee, collaborating in a meeting, or reading a magazine.
In Akron, You can find hot spots in several coffee shops, including Angel Falls Coffee Company on Market Street, if you\\\\\\\'re in the mood to sit back and sip a cup of joe while you surf.
Barnes and Noble on Medina also has wifi service, and there\\\\\\\'s nothing like doing your research while drinking a tall latte. The advantage to B & N is that they have books and magazines you can look at.
You can also find wifi service at Chapel Hill Mall, if you fancy yourself a mall rat, or even a mall cat. |
