Selecting a Reliable Internet Provider---Satellite, Wireless, DSL, Cable, or Dialup
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009
by Sandra E. Graham
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With the Internet quickly becoming our lifeline to unlimited information access, it is imperative that we find and select a reliable Internet provider. Not an easy task with all the available competition out there to keep a person dazed and confused. There are the so-called broad band satellite systems-Hughes Net, Wild Blue, Skyway, and Starband. There are also the DSL systems that go through your phone line without tying up your phone. There is also Cable, along with the old familiar dinosaur-dialup-which does go through your phone line, and will tie up your phone unless you are computer savvy enough to work your way around it.
The pros for Satellite Internet service at the time were the facts that beyond dialup, it was the only other service available in my particular area and the fact that they promised very high speed Internet.
The cons for Satellite service, I regret to say, were many. The initial cost for installation and equipment was astronomical and has come down very little over the years as first-time products usually do. Secondly, the after installation service is very hard to obtain; first you must go through the automated menu questionnaire that leaves you in a quandary as to which button to push. Then you are placed on hold to enjoy the entertaining ‘elevator music' so graciously provided at no cost to you, while waiting for the next available technician for the next fifteen to twenty minutes.
Finally, provided you have punched the right button, a real true-to-life person will come on the line. However, unless you have just emigrated from India, you will have problems understanding what the technician is trying to tell you. Frustration quickly sets in on both ends of the phone line and you know the guy is trying very hard to maintain his the-customer-is-always-right demeanor-your cool having been lost shortly after the start of the conversation.
Hughes Net, another satellite provider with which I am familiar, quickly washes their hands of any issues or problems you have by explaining to you that you must take up your questions or point of contention with the contractor that has come out to resolve your problem. They (Hughes Net) no longer seem to know you and definitely have no interest in your problems with their service. If the service technician seems to know very little about his job and takes four trips and a two-hour conversation on the phone with a real technician before he can finally get you up and running, then sends you an outrageous bill for taking up his valuable time; well, that has nothing to do with the Hughes Net personnel. Oh, and by the way, their high speed Internet is only as fast as the amount of money you wish to line their pockets with each more-where more is slightly faster.
As I have only had personal dealings with dialup and satellite, I can't debate intelligently about the good, bad, and ugly of wireless, DSL, or cable. But, since I will be moving into the city around the first of August, I will be dropping my satellite provider like the proverbial ‘hot potato' and signing up with Sudden Link cable Internet. I'm looking forward to the new experience and hope to finally find a reliable service in my new neck of the woods.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)In my experience, I recommend cable. My cable provider gives me television, internet and telephone (including long-distance) for one low price. I pay around $150.00 a month and all three services are provided (unlimited world-wide long distance is included with that price.) Also service calls are absolutely free of charge.Sounds like cable may be the way to go. Thanks for the info.Sandra
Sandra, there are a lot more options than there used to be, especially with moving to a city. We've been pleased with cable, most of the time. I hope your move is going smoothly! I know you will be happy to be near family.Thanks, Lorrie. The move is going smoothly but slowly. I'm thankful not to have to rush. I pack about two boxes per day--then rest. We're having movers, but I wanted to pack my things myself. If anything gets broken, I will only have myself to blame.I'm really dreading all the electronics that I will have to unplug--then figure out how they were plugged up again afterwards!Thanks for the comments.Sandra
Sandra, this is loaded with great information. Glad you are going to have more opportunities and choices for better internet service in the city, but sad you are leaving the country -? Thanks for sharing your experience. I know it will help many. Blessings! TeresaThanks, Teresa. Yes, it is sad leaving the country--such a beautiful place filled with all God's creation. But you can get too old to handle all the things it entails to live a country life. In town we will still have our "God's Little Acre"--in smaller version.Thanks for reading and commenting.Sandra
Cable is costing me an arm and leg but it is reliable and fast. I have the bottom line cable package and high speed cable and pay about 55.00 a month. I have Vongage for phone service which runs me another $25. My cable company offers a bundle but I don't want them putting vonage out of business and I never really watch tv anyway.Thanks for reading and commenting, James. Right now I am paying $99 a month just for internet service. It's fast enough and reliable enough--at least on sunny days.Chow.Sandra
Sandra,Oh you must switch to cable now that you are moving. It is the only way to go. Reliable, very fast, and convenient. We've had it for years and I can't imagine going with anything else.Good article!NancyI am hearing many good things about cable and am looking forward to trying it out for the first time. I like the idea of not being tied to a 2-year contract as you are with the satellite services. I will now have to pay a penalty for opting out early, but it will be worth it to get away from satellite.Thanks for reading and commenting.Sandra
I would not recommend satellite Internet unless there are no other options available. Sadly, this is typically the case for most who live in remote rural areas. Hope everything works out.
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