Austin, Texas:
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, how you can benefit from it, and what makes it so different from, or better than, the dialup service you have now.
High speed Internet is exactly that - connection to the Internet at very high speeds. There are two primary forms of high speed Internet access: DSL, offered by Verizon and Earthlink in Austin, and cable Internet high speed service, offered in Austin by Comcast and RoadRunner.
Types of High Speed Internet: DSL vs. Cable Modems
Both DSL and cable modems offer the speed and convenience of high speed Internet connections. Both also offer strong security. Cable companies boast that cable high speed Internet connections are faster than DSL, and this may be true, though some technical factors can cause cable modems to be slower than advertised, though still very fast.
In Austin, Verizon offers DSL service for as little as $14.95 monthly, and Earthlink DSL starts at $12.95. In most areas, faster service is available for a higher monthly rate.
Most people find cable to be faster than DSL. You may or may not find this to be true, but it's probably worth checking out RoadRunner's cable Internet services at $29.95 for the first 6 months, if speed is important to you.
How DSL and Cable Modems Can Change the Way You Surf
You may not realize how valuable high speed Internet service can be to you, especially if you use your Internet connection primarily for personal surfing, and don't download large files on a regular basis.
However, there are several distinct advantages to high speed Internet service.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Since you're always online, there are no frustrating "inability to connect" errors.
Another Side 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 Austin, including SunRocket and Vonage.
Is High Speed Internet For You?
If you use the Internet frequently, want more reliable service, and want the advantage of high speed Internet connections, DSL or a cable modem could be right for your needs.
High Speed Hot-Spots in Austin
High speed Internet has another advantage - you can take your WIFI-enabled laptop to a hot-spot and connect to the Internet while reading a magazine, drinking a cup of coffee, or collaborating in a meeting.
In Austin, check out Arturo's Underground Café on 17th.
If you're a beer drinker, try Alamo Drafthouse on Colorado.
And another option you might want to take a look at is Portabla on 6th. |
