Internet 101

Have you looked at your Internet access choices lately? Understand your choices before you decide to upgrade.

Access Alternatives

Fed up with interrupted voice service and snail-like connection speeds, seasoned surfers are looking for alternatives to their dial-up dinosaur. While some have chosen to install a second, dedicated phone line to solve their connection woes, many are wondering whether high-speed cable access is a better solution altogether. Quick transfer speeds and "always-on" cable connections are certainly attractive, but an inexpensive second line appeals to the practical shopper. So, how does this newfangled cable access compare with a trusty phone lineIs high-speed cable access really worth the additional cost

Above all, consumers should make a choice based on their Internet usage, rather than solely on the price of the service. Satisfied users will feel that they are receiving the service that's most appropriate for them at a decent price, regardless of which type of service they use. For users most interested in freeing up their phone line or unwilling to spend extra cash, the choice is easy. Call the local phone company and request a second phone.

Many would-be cable subscribers are too intimidated by the price tag to make the leap to high-speed. Surprisingly, the cost between the two services is not radically different. Though a second phone line with dial-up service will certainly be cheaper, there are additional costs that level the playing field between the two. Make sure you carefully evaluate all of your options.

High Speed Internet Access

Just a few years ago, the choices for connections to the Internet were a few local ISP's and several large, national providers. The fastest they could connect back then was 14.4K. Today, you can choose a 56K dial-up connection from one of potentially hundreds of ISP's on all points of the price spectrum, including a number of free options (advertising-supported). In addition to these dial-up choices, you can also choose from a number of high-speed, always-on connections. These connections include satellite PC at speeds of up to 400K, ISDN at speeds of up to 128K, cable modems at a blistering 3Mbps, and DSL at anywhere from 128K to 7.1Mbps.

Four Ways to Get on the Internet:

1. Telephone Dial-Up Access

2. Broadband Cable Access

3. Broadband DSL Access

4. Satellite Access (DirectPC)

1. Telephone Dial-Up Access

Most people have traditionally gotten on the Internet by using a dial-up ISP service. This means your computer is using your phone line to get access to the Internet. This is the cheapest way to get on-line.

What You Need for Telephone Dial Up Access

• A modem installed in your computer. The standard telephone modem now is 56 KBPS.

• A subscription to an Internet service provider (ISP).

• A phone line with call waiting disabled.

• Modems usually come installed in most new computers as a matter of course. However, be sure to check!

Take Into Consideration

• Your telephone line is the cheapest and the slowest alternative. A regular 56K modem actually does not work at 56K, but somewhat less. You will need a separate phone dial-up line dedicated to Internet service, unless you want your phone service interrupted every time you go on-line. A second phone line may run about $30 per month, which is already about the cost of a cable modem!

• Dialing up and logging on can be unreliable, depending on the state of your phone line and traffic.

• Make sure your Internet access telephone number is in your basic local calling area or you will be charged long-distance fees every time you dial-up to log on to your Internet Service Provider.

2. Broadband Cable Access

The cable company gives you very fast Internet access that is always "on" because of their broadband access technology. Data is transmitted through a fiber-optic cable, so your phone line remains free. Cable modem access is up to 50 times faster than a standard 28.8 KBPS (Kilobytes per second) telephone modem. (It's like data reaching you through a fire hose instead of a garden hose.)

Cable modems, unlike traditional modems, don't need a phone line. The cable company installs a broadband wire to your broadband modem that can be attached to your computer by you or your cable company technician.

Cable Internet access can cost you between $30 to $50 per month, plus set up and installation charges, depending on your service package.

What You Need for Broadband Cable Access

• Network Interface Card (NIC) installed in your computer ($50-$100).

• Special cable modem (leased from the cable company or purchased independently).

• Installation of cable lines to where you live if your house hasn't been wired for cable TV.

• Installation of cable modem to your computer.

Take Into Consideration

• Each cable company has its own hardware and lines, so to switch you would have to get new wires installed.

• If you travel, you will want to keep a separate ISP mail address, as you cannot check your cable email remotely without dial-up access.

• Cable is being offered in various locations, but may not be in your neighborhood yet.

• You may also have problems getting a cable modem if you live in a multi-family dwelling or apartment building.

• The more people who have cable modems in your neighborhood, the slower your service will be. This may not be the case anymore, with new data compression and switching technologies, but it is definitely something to check into.

• Most people who get broadband access swear they will never go back to dial-up.

3. Broadband DSL Access

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a way to access the Internet over regular phone lines. Many are heralding it as the future of Internet access. For one, DSL is an "always on" connection, which means you don't have to waste time waiting for your modem to connect. Another major advantage is speed. At 1.5 Mbps (megabytes per second), a DSL connection is up to 30 times faster than a conventional modem. DSL lines can also be equipped to handle Internet access and phone calls simultaneously. This can be a tremendous advantage, especially if you're considering paying for a second phone line to handle Internet access. At the very least, DSL eliminates the frustration of getting kicked off-line every time someone in your house picks up the phone.

What are the Different "Flavors" of DSL?

For most people, there are only two types of DSL worth considering:

• ADSL. ADSL stands for Asymmetric DSL. That means that an ADSL connection is quicker at getting information from the Internet than it is at sending information to the Internet. If you are primarily interested in surfing the web, this is the one you want.

• SDSL (Symmetric DSL). SDSL is equally fast at downloading and uploading information. So, if you are operating a website or some other sort of business that requires uploading massive amounts of data, then you should consider SDSL.

What You Need for DSL Access

• Purchase of a DSL modem independently or from the phone company.

• Installation of a DSL modem by your phone company.

• There may be special equipment issues. Read the fine print!

Take Into Consideration

• It is very reliable.

• It is an always-on connection.

• It's the fastest option. How much speed do you really need?

• Chances are, you can't get it if you don't live in a single-family home.

• DSL may not be in your neighborhood yet.

• DSL is more expensive than a cable modem (from $50-$300 per month) plus set-up fees of $200 or more.

Purchasing DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a significant investment. At a minimum, one year of DSL service will cost $600, so approach the process as you would when buying a computer. Research the types of features you'll require and explore the options for each plan. Consider these important factors often overlooked by eager consumers:

• Is there a guaranteed minimum speed that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) promises to maintain?

• Is there a required contract and/or a termination fee?

• Does your Bell Company provide DSL and ISP servicesAre both services included in the quoted price?

• Does the ISP charge a penalty fee to complete an unsuccessful self-installation

• Does the ISP provide a Network Interface Card (NIC) and/or a modemWill it install them for free?

• Does the ISP provide a static or dynamic IP?

• What are the networking capabilitiesWhat are the additional costs?

• Does the ISP provide personal web space(Most do not.)

• Does the ISP provide FULL roaming Internet access(Most offer roaming email access only.)

• Is there a charge to change line speeds?

4. Satellite Access (DirecPC)

Satellite technology has made its way to the Internet world and offers yet another way to access the Internet. Satellite access (DirecPC) gives you an Internet connection at up to 400K. With satellite access, the user requests a URL that is actually still sent out by modem over phone lines. The return path, however, gets to the user via satellite.

• Purchase of DirecPC Satellite Modem, Satellite Access software, and DirecPC single-function antenna.

• Find a clear line of site to the south for your dish.

Take Into Consideration

• Even though you are getting "satellite" Internet access, you will still need a modem and an ISP (either your existing ISP or through DirecPC).

• DirecPC offers high-speed access in many areas where cable access and DSL are not yet available.

• You can run your Internet access and satellite TV through the same dish.

If you currently use telephone dial-up access, that may be enough for now. If you want faster connections, keep your eye on cable, DSL, and satellite access. For a more detailed description of broadband, read the State of Indiana's pamphlet Broadband Primer: A Guide to High-Speed Internet Technologies. Also, search for related CareOne Credit articles in our Knowledge Center Library.

Other Internet Information

What is Voice-over-IP?

First of all, IP stands for "Internet Protocol." From here, it doesn't take much to figure out that Voice-Over-IP is a way to make phone calls over the Internet. With a couple of minor tweaks - like using a headset and not a handset - Voice-Over-IP (VOIP) is an easy and beautiful thing for anyone interested in saving a few bucks. The fact is that Internet telephony is available today at rates that blow most traditional long-distance plans out of the water. The savings you could make are substantial.

What Makes VOIP So Cheap?

Basically, the Internet is much more efficient at transmitting information than traditional telephone networks. When you make a call from your phone at home, you are establishing a "dedicated connection"- in other words, you are taking up an entire line for the duration of your phone call. In contrast, the Internet sends information in "packets," which are sent one at a time to a specific destination and don't require an entire connection to be transmitted.

Can I Use VOIP?

Basically, if you're skilled enough to plug in a lamp, you can do this, too. You'll need a few things before you get started - most importantly, a headset or at least a microphone and a pair of speakers. Many voice-over-IP providers sell headsets online. Next, you'll want to make sure your computer is equipped with a sound card. It's also important to have a decent Internet connection-most companies recommend at least 28.8 bps, but the faster the better. Other common minimum requirements are a 75 MHz processor and 8 MB of RAM. Finally, you'll want to make sure your browser and operating system are compatible with your voice-over-IP software.

What's Next?

If you meet all of the system requirements to use voice-over-IP, you are now ready to download free software from one of the many providers on the Web. The download process should be a matter of minutes, depending on the speed of your connection. Once downloaded, you may need to install the software. After that, you're good to go. The user interface will vary, depending on which software you choose, but you can expect to enter a 10-digit phone number in the application's window and press "send". This should connect you to the person you're calling.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

The most important thing to remember is that voice-over-IP represents a trade-off. You may have to sacrifice sound quality for overall savings, especially if your Internet connection is slow. Then again, your long-distance savings may justify spending a little more to upgrade your Internet connection. For more information about VOIP, see the Ohio Public Utilties Commission's Consumer Guide to Internet Phone Service.

Internet Call Waiting 101

Despite all the hype about high-speed access, most of us still use dial-up modems to get connected. Slow speeds and busy signals are painful reminders of our technological backwardness. Thankfully, there are still helpful applications out there designed to make our experience just a bit more pleasant. For instance, if you are sick of missing calls while online, or ever wondered if anyone calls you at all, download an Internet Call Waiting application. Internet Call Waiting will allow you to identify a caller, take a message or even communicate with a caller while you're still online.

How It Works

Internet Call Waiting is an easy-to-use, multi-functional application that doesn't take much configuring or know-how to set up and install. All incoming calls are first identified using the caller-ID feature. From this point, you have a variety of options available to you. If you are interested in what the caller has to say, forward the call to your voice mailbox where he/she can leave a message while you remain online. If you want to respond immediately without disconnecting, send a text message to the caller. Using natural speech technology, the application will transfer your text into a voice message so the caller can listen to your response. If you wish to take the call, the service will automatically forward the call to your phone and disconnect you from the Internet. You also have the option to respond with a prerecorded call-rejection message. In addition, most services allow you to listen to a message while it's being recorded, provided you have the necessary audio equipment.

Other Considerations

Know which features are included in the service and which ones carry a charge-per-call. Because the call waiting application is tied closely to your phone service, make sure to read the fine print so you aren't being hit with hidden charges. In general, the services are free and run on a variety of systems. So go ahead and test out a number of applications to see which ones you like best.

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