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How to Connect to the Internet

The internet is a worldwide network of computers. Connecting to the internet grants you access to the world wide web, a collection of billions of websites—online resources that offer everything from information and games to goods and services. Before you go online, or connect to the internet, you’ll need to choose from a variety of ways to connect. The various services you can use to connect to the internet differ primarily according to:
  • Connection: A connection may be always-on or may have to be established each time you go online by dialing a phone number with a modem (a device that lets your PC transfer data over an ordinary phone line).
  • Speed: This refers to how quickly the service allows data to transfer to and from your computer. Services with high data transfer rates are said to be “faster” than services with low transfer rates.
Most people prefer having a fast, always-on connection, despite the extra cost of such connections.

Dial-Up vs. Broadband

There are two basic ways to connect to the Internet: dial-up and broadband. Dial-up uses regular phone lines to connect, whereas broadband uses a variety of other means.

 
Method
  
Pros
  
Cons
Dial-up
  
  • Inexpensive
  • Available anywhere
  • Can connect using a cell phone and a cell phone modem
  
  • Slower than broadband
  • Can incur local phone charges
  • Need two lines to make phone calls while online
Broadband
  
  • Much faster than dial-up
  • Always on; no wait to connect
  
  • More expensive than dial-up
  • Not available in all areas
 

Finding an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Internet service providers (ISPs) are companies that provide dial-up or broadband internet connections for a monthly fee. Read on to learn how the major ISPs for dial-up and broadband service compare.

Dial-Up

AOL, MSN, Earthlink, and Juno/NetZero are four of the most popular dial-up services. They charge anywhere from $9.95–24.95 per month. The difference in fees reflects the different suite of proprietary services each company offers. For instance, the companies that offer more comprehensive customer service or tech support charge more.

Broadband

Broadband service is available in three main platforms:
  • Cable modem: Uses the same connection that delivers cable TV (though you don’t need to be a cable TV subscriber to get a cable broadband internet connection). This platform is fast and reliable but not available in all areas.
  • DSL (digital subscriber line): This platform uses your existing phone line but doesn’t tie up the line for voice calls. On the downside, DSL requires expensive installation, and your distance from the provider impacts its speed.
  • Satellite: This platform is available where cable and DSL aren’t. As long as you have a clear view of the southern sky, you can get service. However, satellite is slower than both cable and DSL, can be interrupted by bad weather, and requires the installation of a satellite dish on your house or in your yard.

Bandwidth and Broadband Connection Speeds

The term broadband is short for broad bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that a signal or circuit can carry. Broadband internet connections are faster than dial-up connections because their signals carry much more data into your home and onto your computer than conventional phone lines. Broadband connection speeds are measured in mbps, which stands for megabits (of data) per second. Most residential broadband internet connections provide connection speeds of 1.5–3 mbps.

Deciding Which Broadband Service Suits You Best

When it comes to choosing a broadband service, find out what’s available:
  • Contact the cable TV provider in your area and see if they also provide internet service.
  • Call your local phone company to inquire about DSL. If they offer DSL, find out your distance from the DSL transmission location.
  • If cable and DSL are not options, research the major satellite TV services. They probably also offer internet service in your area.
  • Find out which additional services the providers offer, such as email accounts and spam blocking.
  • Compare speeds of various services. Decide whether extra speed is worth the extra cost.
  • Compare prices. Be sure to include setup costs, equipment, and installation costs, if any.

Wireless Internet Access

Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) refers to wireless internet access, which lets you connect to the internet without a direct line from your PC to the ISP. For Wi-Fi to work, you need:
  • A broadband internet connection
  • A wireless router, which relays your internet connection from the “wall” (the ISP) to the PC
  • A laptop or desktop with a wireless internet card or external wireless adapter
Transmitting computer data without wires makes your data especially susceptible to hackers, computer users who can intercept your connection and steal your data (see How to Protect Yourself Online). If you decide to use Wi-Fi at home, be sure that the network you set up is security-enabled. Setting up a secure wireless network can be complicated. If you find that you can’t do it on your own, hire a technician.

Wi-Fi Hotspots

Wireless-enabled laptops give you access to Wi-Fi hotspots in thousands of locations around the world. Hotspots are public locations (such as libraries, hotels, airports, and local bookstores and restaurants) with free or fee-based wireless internet access. If you’d rather not pay for internet service in your home, or if broadband service isn’t available in your residential area, you can bring your wireless-enabled laptop to a hotspot to use the web.
 
 
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