Here's a few comparison's and what to look for that may shorten your calls to Internet Providers...
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Cable providers usually have Internet speeds around 5 Megabytes (5,000 Kilobytes)
Some Common Providers are Cox Communications, Charter Communications, and Comcast Communications. They will always try to get you to bundle Tv phone and Internet I would advise against this.
Hi Speed DSL Providers usually require a Phone Line with Internet Speeds up to 3 Megabytes (3,000 megabytes)
Hi Speed DSL Providers speed and prices vary as to whether or not bundled services would be required (Phone and Internet Bundle) which some do require. You will need a phone line regardless so factor that into your budget along with the up sells, taxes, and FCC Charges.
Verizon Fios Internet and ATT Uverse Bundles.... No
Air Card Internet Providers / Wireless DSL Providers (speed Unknown) Very tricky... Many people have paid 60 dollars and lost that money to find out the area they live is too far away from a cell tower to receive a solid signal. Good Idea yes...reliable no.
Satellite Internet Providers....
The two most popular are Wild Blue and Hughesnet .... Wild blue Satellite Internet offers speeds of 512 kilobytes to 1.5 Megs (10's -30 x's Faster than Dial Up). Hughesnet Satellite offers Speeds of 1 Megabyte ( 1000 Kiloytes) to 5 Megabytes (5000 Kilobytes) and is priced accordingly.
Mom and Pop satellite Internet Providers.... No
Alternative Internet Providers.... The Internet is comprised of a lot more than a mom n pop shop can provide you and their going to be really expensive and or service is going to lack.... Satellite Internet Providers have actual Satellites in Space. They are not random 3-5 person operations advertising in local yellow pages and driving pickup trucks.... When it comes to reliability you need to really think about whom you want to rely and depend on as your internet provider.
To sum it up place these calls in order when looking for Hi Speed Internet providers
There is a quite a comparison of speeds
Cable, DSL, then Satellite as an option to any cable provider not faster than 3 Megs.
Your option if no Cable Internet provider or DSL Internet Provider is available should be a Satellite Internet Provider. We all know no matter how well you dress up a pig ( DialUp Internet Providers ) it is still a pig. The hispeed alternatives for dial up users do little to no improvemet.