ISPs: The Best Speed for Your Money
Unsure how much internet speed you need? Here's a look at what the major providers have to offer.
May. 30, 2008 — by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) The World Wide Web is the place to be, and the options for getting there have never been greater. We’ve investigated the deals, the speeds, and the availability to help consumers choose a high-speed bandwagon to jump on.
Comparison Points
When placing an internet service provider under the microscope, we’re looking for a few things, including price, speed, and availability. Today’s ISPs are giving consumers a wide range of choices regarding the first two categories. It is not uncommon to see two or three “packages” to choose from, with the more expensive options bringing faster upstream and downstream speeds.
We’d all love fiber optic run to our premises, but let’s face it: currently only a select few in our country have access, so availability is a crucial comparison point when stacking providers up against one another. You might have the fastest speeds, but what do I care if I can’t get it?
Providers are keen to get the edge on one another, so extras like multiple email addresses/mailboxes and large mailbox storage are considered as well. Teaming up with a security software provider (e.g. McAfee) is another growing commonality among internet service providers.
Dial-up
It’s hard to believe that as we approach the second decade in the new millennium there are still those for whom dial-up is the best – or only – option. Still, if checking email occasionally is one’s only need, the 56K or 128K connection will suffice. Here’s a few better-known dial-up ISPs, with and their respective offerings and rates.
| Package Name | Cost per Month | Speed | Addresses / Storage | Extras | Availability |
| Basic ISP | $6.95, unlimited | 56K | U.S.-based customer service, 24/7 online support | 50 States and Canada | |
| Basic ISP HiSpeed Accelerated | $9.95, unlimited | 56K, 7x faster using compression software | 5 | U.S.-based customer service, 24/7 online support | 50 States and Canada |
| Copper Internet | $9.95, unlimited | 56K | 5 | U.S.-based customer service, 24/7 online support | 25,000 access numbers in US and Canada |
| Copper HiSpeed | $14.95, unlimited | 56K, 6x faster using compression software | 5 | U.S.-based customer service, 24/7 online support | 25,000 access numbers in US and Canada |
| NetZero | $4.97 (first 3 months), then $9.95, unlimited | 56K | 1GB | Spam protection, free “mysite” website | 50 States |
| NetZero HiSpeed 3G | $14.95 | 56K | 2GB | Norton Antivirus, pop-up blocker | 50 States |
| EarthLink | $9.95 (first 3 months), then $21.95, unlimited | 56K | 8 | 10MB of webspace | 50 States |
Cable Broadband
As with any deal, it’s good to read the cable company’s fine print. For example, Comcast’s website advertises rates applicable only to existing customers (i.e. those currently subscribing to either digital voice or cable services). The table below lists rates for internet only followed by the rate if coupled with some other service. To cover rates for all the permutations (those with Comcast video but no internet, those with Comcast voice but no internet, those who have no subscription with Comcast, etc.) we’d need a much bigger table.
| Package Name | Cost per Month | Speed Down / Up | Addresses / Storage | Extras | Availability |
| Comcast High-Speed Internet Basic | $39.95 / $24.95 | 786 Kbps / 382 Kbps | 7 | Free McAfee Security | Roughly 25 states |
| Comcast Performance High-Speed Internet | $59.95 / $52.95 | 6.0 Mbps / 348 Kbps | 7, and 175MB online file storage | Free McAfee Security, free streaming audio through Rhapsody | Roughly 25 states |
| Comcast Performance PLUS High-Speed Internet | $67.95 / $52.95 | 8.0 Mbps / 768 Kbps | 7, and 175MB online file storage | Free McAfee Security, free streaming audio through Rhapsody | Roughly 25 states |
| Charter HSI | $54.95 / $44.95 | 5 Mbps / 512 Kbps | 10, 1G storage limit per box | F-Secure Security, Parental control, 20MB personal webpage | |
| Charter HSI Plus | $59.95 / $49.95 | 10 Mbps / 1 Mbps | 10, 1G storage limit per box | F-Secure Security, Parental control, 20MB personal webpage | |
| Charter HSI Max | $79.95 / $69.95 | 16 Mbps / 2 Mbps | 10, 1G storage limit per box | Protection, 24/7 free technical support, no modem fees | |
| Time Warner Road Runner Basic | $29.95 | 1.5 Mbps / 384 Kbps | 3 | Protection, 24/7 free technical support, no modem fees | 31 States |
| Time Warner Road Runner Standard | $44.95 | 10 Mbps / 1 Mbps | 10 | Protection, 24/7 free technical support, no modem fees | 31 States |
| Time Warner Road Runner Turbo | $59.90 (Currently on a $39.90 1-year promotion) | 15 Mbps / 2 Mbps | 25 | Protection, 24/7 free technical support, no modem fees | 31 States |
| Cox Economy | $16.99 | 768 Kbps | 7 | McAfee Security, 70MB of personal WebSpace | 15 States |
| Cox Value | $26.99 | 1.5 Mbps | 7 | McAfee Security, 70MB of personal WebSpace | 15 States |
| Cox Preferred | $41.99 (currently on a $25.95 6-month promotion) | 10 Mbps / 2 Mbps | 7 | McAfee Security, 70MB of personal WebSpace | 15 States |
| Cox Premier | $51.99 (currently on a $39.95 6-month promotion) | 20 Mbps / 2 Mbps | 7 | McAfee Security, 70MB of personal WebSpace | 15 States |
DSL
Speed-wise, DSL sits somewhere between fast dial-up and cable broadband. The cost for DSL service is usually a little cheaper than cable as well, though companies will offer promotional rates and waived fees from time-to time, just as with any other service.
| Package Name | Cost per Month | Speed Down / Up | Addresses / Storage | Extras | Availability |
| Verizon High- Speed Internet Starter | $19.99 (first month free) | 768 Kbps / 128 Kbps | 9 | 10 MB for personal web page, 24/7 live technical support | 25 states |
| Verizon High- Speed Internet Power | $29.99 (first month free) | 3.0 Mbps / 368 Kbps | 9 | 10 MB for personal web page, 24/7 live technical support | 25 states |
| Verizon High- Speed Internet 7.0 Mbps DSL | $39.99 | 7.0 Mbps | 9, 4GB storage | Verizon Internet Security Suite | 12 States |
| AT&T Basic DSL | $19.95 | 768 Kbps/ 384 Kbps | 11 | All-in-one Protection Suite, Webbased email | |
| AT&T Express DSL | $25.00 | 1.5 Mbps / 384 Kbps | 11 | All-in-one Protection Suite, Webbased email | |
| AT&T Pro DSL | $30.00 | 3.0 Mbps / 512 Kbps | 11 | All-in-one Protection Suite, Webbased email | |
| AT&T Elite DSL | $35.00 | 6.0 Mbps / 768 Kbps | 11 | All-in-one Protection Suite, Webbased email |
Satellite
DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) digital television service wowed rural dwellers by bringing the multitude of channels to the remotest of locations. Broadband satellite is doing the same thing, and though speeds might not compare to cable broadband or fiber optic, it still beats dial-up. Users can experience the same weather-related disruptions as occur with satellite television, and costs seem a little high, but such is the price for availability where other options are non-existent. Look into changing promotions, like waived equipment and installation fees (which can be $300+), and lower fees for year or two-year commitments.
Satellite
| Package Name | Cost per Month | Speed Down / Up | Addresses / Storage | Extras | Availability |
| WildBlue Value | $45.95 | 512 Kbps / 128 Kbps | 5 | F-Secure Security service, free for one year | 48 states |
| WildBlue Select | $69.95 | 1.0 Mbps / 200 Kbps | 5 | F-Secure Security service, free for one year | 48 states |
| WildBlue Pro | $79.95 | 1.5 Mbps / 256 Kbps | 10 | F-Secure Security service, free for one year | 48 states |
| HughesNet Home | $59.99 | 700 Kbps / 128 Kbps | 5 | Email defense (spam filter and anti-virus; 24/7 live support | 48 states |
| HughesNet Pro | $69.99 | 1.0 Mbps / 200 Kbps | 5 | Email defense (spam filter and anti-virus; 24/7 live support | 48 states |
| HughesNet ProPlus | $79.99 | 1.5 Mbps / 200 Kbps | 5 | Email defense (spam filter and anti-virus; 24/7 live support | 48 states |
Fiber Optic
The best of the best? Some would describe fiber optic service in such a way. The consumer will be hard-pressed to find faster internet service, though the consumer may be hard-pressed to find an area where fiber is available. The rolling-out phase of Verizon FiOS is still in progress, leaving many to pine for the blazing downstream and upstream speeds. Even if you can get it, you’re going to pay for it. $42.99 for the lowest service plan isn’t cheap, and you’ll pay more to go with a month-to-month contract, and a $79.99-per-computer installation fee may apply as well. Note: Although the Verizon FiOS website markets their “Fastest” tier at 30 Mbps downstream speed, some markets in the FiOS areas can actually get 50 Mbps downstream, enabling complete movie downloads in the blink of an eye.
| Package Name | Cost per Month | Speed Down / Up | Addresses / Storage | Extras | Availability |
| Verizon FiOS Fast | $42.99 | 5 Mbps / 2 Mbps | 9 | 10 MB for personal web page, 24/7 live technical support | 16 states |
| Verizon FiOS Faster | $52.99 | 15 Mbps / 2 Mbps | 9 | 10 MB for personal web page, 24/7 live technical support | 16 states |
| Verizon FiOS Faster Plus | $64.99 | 15 Mbps / 15 Mbps | 9 | 10 MB for personal web page, 24/7 live technical support, Verizon Internet Security Suite, 1GB Online back-up and sharing | 16 states |
| Verizon FiOS Fastest | $139.95 | 30 Mbps / 15 Mbps | 9 | 10 MB for personal web page, 24/7 live technical support, Verizon Internet Security Suite, 1GB Online back-up and sharing | 16 states |
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Networking: http://www.electronichouse.com/topic/C121/
Info & Answers: http://www.electronichouse.com/topic/C155/
View all topics: http://www.electronichouse.com/topic/all/