How to choose your Internet connection

The following is a list of the different options you have when connecting to the Internet.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
DSL is a digital data service offered by numerous local telephone companies - with ISP partners like Universal Internet - that provides telecommuting capabilities at speeds up to 200 times faster than a standard 28.8 modem. That means you can download data, graphics or audio and video files at high speeds while simultaneously talking on the phone or sending a fax--and you don't need additional phone lines to do it. DSL is a full time connection, meaning, among other things, that a DSL client can host their own web servers. Availability of DSL is dependent on your location.

Dial-Up Accounts - Analog & ISDN
Connections are offered starting at 9.6 Kbps (standard is 56 Kbps) and go up to 128 Kbps. Each account includes one email address. Extra email addresses are available for a nominal set-up fee and monthly charge. Local access phone numbers are available in most areas of the country and world. Most companies will order your ISDN line, if needed, from the phone company at no extra charge.

ISDN Workgroup
The best deal for multiple users. For not much more than an individual ISDN dial-up account, approximately 5 users can enjoy ISDN. The low monthly charge includes 300 hours per month and 5 email addresses, at no extra charge. Set-up fee applies and a router is required to distribute the connection to multiple PCs. A network card is also required for each PC. Ideal for small businesses. (The phone company charges per-minute usage fees unless the ISDN line is Centrexed - see below).

Centrexed ISDN
Eliminate phone company per-minute usage charges. 128 Kbps single-user dial-up account with 300 hours per month. Accounts with no time limits are also available with a slightly higher monthly rate. This account includes one email address. There is an activation fee for Centrexed accounts. Availability depends on location of client.

Frame Relay & Leased Lines
Dedicated lines available in 128 Kbps, 384 Kbps, 1.544 Mbps and (T-1) speeds and higher. Fully upgradable to higher speeds. A router is required. UI set-up fees apply. Phone company charges set-up and monthly fees.

Wireless Connections
Eliminate all phone company charges for high-speed access. Available for line-of-site situations. Equipment required.

Internet Global Roaming Services
Traveling? Use local-call access to the Internet from every major city in the world, and pay only when you use it. Roaming charges are significantly less than long-distance charges, and you can access all Internet services such as e-mail and the Web. Use existing (and familiar) Web browser/e-mail and receive only one bill for all Internet and roaming charges. Very reasonable. Dialup account required.

Speed Tip:
What's the best type of Internet speed? 56 Kilobits per second is 56 Kilobits per second. It doesn't matter if you are connected to the Internet with wireless methods, cable, fiber-optic, or tried-and-true phone lines. You can't get a faster speed than your modem will allow - so don't pay extra for "faster" speeds or be fooled by claims that fiber, for example, is better than other Internet connections.