| How Much Does Internet Access Cost? |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
| Typical costs: | - Low Cost Internet Access: It's possible to get dial up modem Internet Access for as little as $6 a month, up to $22 a month. Examples of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) include Juno at $10/month, Earthlink at $15-$22 a month, Fry's/Outpost at $6-$9/month, and NetZero at $10 a month.
- DSL service at 1.5 Mbs can cost $30 as little a month; 3Mbps service can cost $35 a month; combined local phone+DSL plans usually cost around $50/month. Many service providers offer discounts as low as $15/month for the initial 3-12 months.
- Cable modems at 3.5+Mbs usually cost around $45+ a month, but can be as low as $30.month. There may be discounts, as low as $20/month, for the initial 3-6 months. There may be some discounts if you are also a cable subscriber. Popular nation-wide providers include Road Runner, and Comcast Cable. You'll need to check with your local cable company.
|
| What should be included: | - Typical Internet Access will come with an account that will enable you to send and receive email and put up a small personal website.
- High speed access, especially DSL, often will come with a dialup modem service you can use if the DSL connection is down.
- High speed providers (DSL and cable modem) will often provide the DSL or cable modem for free with a one year subscription.
|
| Additional costs: | - If you need a technician to come to your location to help you install the high speed service, the service call can cost $100-$200.
|
| Discounts: | - Many providers will give you a promotional lower rate for the first 3-12 months. Be sure to also know what the rate will change to afterwards.
|
| Shopping for internet access: | |
| |
Article updated November 2006 |
|
|
|
| |
Recent Posts |
| Amount: $46.00 per month |
Pretty happy with Comcast Cable Modem
|
| Posted by: PCGuyinCali in San Jose, CA. | Purchased: August, 2004 |
| Provider: Comcast | Type of Connection: Cable modem |
| Speed: 2.3Mbps |
Even though DSL was available at our home, I subscribed to the Cable Modem because I wanted the fastest thing possible. Right now, according to CNet's bandwidth test
(http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html), I'm getting 2.3Mbps, which is OK, but almost as slow as a good cable modem. We got an introductory rate of $14/month for 2 months, before it went up to $46/month. We also get standard cable from them; I don't know if this gives us a small discount on Internet access. |
|
|
| Amount: $40.00 per month |
T*Mobile at Starbucks is expensive
|
| Posted by: Coffee Fiend in San Mateo, CA. | Purchased: March, 2007 |
| Provider: T*Mobile Hotspot | Type of Connection: wifi |
| Speed: happy with the speed |
| I occasionally get my work done at cafes, especially when contractors are working on the home and I need to be productive elsewhere. In March, I signed up for the T Mobile because I go to Starbucks a lot and they had a deal where your first month was free. But I was checking my bills over recently, and I realized $40 a month is a lot considering a few months I didn't surf at Starbucks at all. I'm thinking about cancelling my plan and either paying by the hour or subscribing only during months when I think I'll be working there a lot. Also, more and more restaurants offer wifi for free. |
|
|
|
|
Post About Your Experience With Internet Access |
| |
|
|
| *=required field. |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Digg this
del.icio.us
E-mail
Post