High Speed Internet Service Providers Reviewed

Comcast has been making quite a splash with its Internet Essentials Program around the country.  According to an article in today’s Sacramento Bee, CenturyLink has come up with a very similar program they are calling Internet Basics. The idea behind the program is to get folks who live in low-income households online by offering a discounted monthly rate of $9.95.  And while the Comcast program offers a voucher for a free basic computer, CenturyLink is offering families an Internet netbook computer for a deeply discounted cost of $150.00. “The Internet has become a basic part of daily life for most people in this country but there are many who still are not connected due to cost. CenturyLink is very happy to make affordable high-speed Internet service and inexpensive computers available to those who need the financial help to get online.” said Glen Post, President and C.E.O.  CenturyLink, one of the nation’s leading Internet service providers,  is additionally offering free technology training through the Internet Basics program.

It used to be that buying a car was something everyone dreaded.  Of course we all liked the idea of having a new car — but shopping for it was akin to getting a root canal.  Pushy salesman, game-playing over price with the sales manager, deals being changed at the last minute — it was a nightmare.  Today, however, you can buy a car right on line.  Most dealerships have their entire inventory on their website. Most even have Internet managers to work with you who are NOT commissioned sales people. Just find the car you want, negotiate a price by email and never even talk to a sales person!  If you are purchasing a new car, you can contact several dealerships in a single afternoon! And without having to pay a huge sales commission, the dealerships can give you much better prices.  Of course, if your Internet connection is not up to speed, you may have a problem.  There are, however, many Internet service providers in your city that will help you to bring it up to date.

An alliance in Northern Florida, called the Florida Rural Broadband Alliance is promising to bring high-speed Internet to an eight county area in Northern Florida.  The alliance is made up from two not for profit business advocacy groups.  Its aim is to create more jobs, improve health care, and improve the business climate in the region. “This will allow businesses to have a faster and more reliable Internet connection, which is particularly important in today’s global economy”, said Rick Martin, the executive director of the FRBA. “When compled with Internet phone call providers, this new high-speed Internet will make doing business overseas much simpler.”  Currently the area relies mostly on DSL. Those living in the area can look up their local DSL providers by zip code to see if this new service will be available to them.

In a press announcement made yesterday, Cox Communications was named the provider which offers the fastest Internet service in the United States according to a survey done by PC Magazine. Cox speeds averaged 18.51 Mbps download and 4.80 Mbps upload, 44 percent faster than the average ISP.  The survey adds still another distinction to Cox’s award winning broadband data portfolio. “Third parties making independent surveys consistently have recognized Cox as the broadband leader” said Allen Roberts, Vice President of Cox Operations in Virginia.  “We will continue to aggressively increase our speeds and offer new features and services in order to deliver the capabilities our customers’ needs.”  To see if Cox is available in your area, try doing a web search for Internet providers by zip code, a trick that has worked very well for thousands of consumers.

According to an article in the St George Daily Spectrum, Qwest customers in Southern Utah should begin gaining access to higher speeds on their Internet connection.  The increased speed is a direct result of the takeover of Qwest Internet by CenturyLink, back in April of this year.  CenturyLink is planning for a buildup of the infrastructure around Saint George and Cedar City.  Fiber connections should start being installed, bringing Internet speeds up to 40 Mbps to areas as remote as Enoch and Hurricane.  Also, the change should help create new jobs in the area.  Jackie Lalor, spokeswoman for CenturLink, said they are “crazy busy.”  She said there will be no decrease in the work force whatsoever.  Demand is huge for the speed fiber optics provides.”  Very soon customers will begin seeing the Qwest logos being replaced by CenturyLink at both retail locations and on their monthly bills.

It doesn’t matter where you live these days. The best Internet providers are available pretty much anywhere. So if you are looking to improve your Internet connection, you won’t have to look far. A quick web search should bring up plenty of choices — even better if you search by zip code. Whether it’s for business or pleasure, we all have need of the Internet daily and deserve fast service at a reasonable price. Whether it’s to print up some recipes for that upcoming family reunion, figure out how to replace your car’s brake pads, or explore the latest at Etsy, the Internet is a part of most people’s daily routine. No one should have to settle for second rate when the best Internet providers are available in most major cities.

According to an article in yesterday’s edition of the Chicago Sun Times, there are thousands of school aged children in the Fox Valley and Aurora sections of the greater Chicago metropolitan area that are now able to gain high-speed access to the Internet for less than $10.00 per month.  How can they get it for such an inexpensive rate?  They can thank the Essentials program that is sponsored by Comcast.  The program was designed for low-income families with students.  The intention of the program is to eliminate the “digital divide” that separates the haves from the have-nots when it comes to Internet access.

According to the article, the program is available to all families with children who receive a free lunch through the National School Lunch program.  The program is available in East Aurora and surrounding school districts.  It is anticipated that nearly 70% of all students in the East Aurora school district will qualify.  Clayton Muhammad, speaking for the District said: “We’re increasingly aware of the importance for all children to have access to the Internet and advancing technologies.”  Comcast sponsors the program in many communities throughout the nation.

Who would ever associate the Internet with soap?  Sure, you might feel the need to wash your hands after using your keyboard, but that is a far cry from what we’re talking about. What we are referring to is using the Internet to learn how to make soap! Amazingly, one woman, who now has a successful soap making business, said she learned her entire trade on the Internet!  She was looking for an opportunity and decided to look online. Because of a slow Internet connection speed, however, she told us: “I searched for Internet service providers in my area and was quickly hooked up with a fast broadband connection.” Using this new mobility, she joined some soap making forums, read detailed online soap making instructions, had many questions answered by other soap makers — and in no time at all she was making soap!  She now successfully sells her soaps to boutiques and bath stores in over 12 states!

It doesn’t seem all that long ago that Ma Bell was an icon that personified big business.  Normally the reference to Ma Bell was a reference to the Bell Telephone System, which subsequently became AT&T.  This huge company became a monopoly that provided telephone service to the United States and Canada through the year 1984 when the U.S. Department of Justice broke it up into several different companies. Now, just 25 years later, the telecommunications business is no longer solely about telephone lines that carry calls into the homes of people and into the nations businesses.  Now it is Internet service, along with wireless, mobile devices that these companies focus on.  In fact, the separate phone companies that were created back in 1984 have evolved into the major Internet service providers in the nation today.  Isn’t it amazing to see how things have changed in just 25 years!

Sometimes it is great fun to see what is happening on the other wide of the world when it comes to Internet technology.  A recent article on News 24, one of South Africa’s leading news sources, talked about a new satellite that will provide a fresh source of broadband Internet access to that country. While South Africa certainly has some modern cities, the country also has many remote areas that have not yet been offered Internet service.  Like so many countries, the government is recognizing that high-speed broadband is necessary to attract companies that create jobs into these areas.  And while there may be many Internet service providers in my area, as well as the area where you live, South Africans apparently do not have that luxury.

That is about to change for many isolated communities.  Maxwell Technology has been designated to market South African satellite broadband.  The new product, named SkyeMax is actually powered by SkyeVine.  “As specialists in VSAT [Very Small Aperture Terminal] communications across Africa, we have been searching for an entry-level, affordable satellite broadband option that will provide ubiquitous coverage,” said the technical director for Maxwell, Kallie Carlsen.  She said SkyeMax will address the needs of many underserved small markets.  SkyeMax has been optimized to reach remote areas — many of which will be getting their first taste of high-speed broadband.

As noted in August 4, 2011 edition of AgriNews, Mike Marth, who makes a living as both a farmer and computer programmer, admits that utilizing high speed broadband makes it possible for him to effectively and efficiently manage the operations of his farm in Rudd, Iowa. He explained how he uses internet access during a meeting last week which was well-attended by independent telecommunications companies that service rural areas, local and state dignitaries, and of course, fellow farmers.  Marth reported that he keeps track of market trends, weather reports and trends, and he also conducts a lot of online research related to learning about the operations of his farm. He utilizes GPS monitors and receivers on his machinery and they receive regular program updates via the web. He researched how to operate his new planter online. Despite this obvious need for broadband access, when you do an online search for Internet service providers by zip code it is still obvious that rural communities are lacking a lot of options.

Marth said dialup simply is not an option.  The administrator of the USDA Rural Utilities Service, Jonathan Adelstein, gave a talk at the meeting as well.  He asserted that youth in rural communities must be able to access broadband connections to get the quality education needed to lead successful lives. “The next Steve Jobs might come from Rudd, but if he didn’t have access to broadband he would never have the opportunity to learn and grow,” said Adelstein.

Are you looking for a better internet connection? I understand. Locating the best internet service providers in my area was a real challenge for me. Let’s face it, there is a lot of hype in the media about all the new technology when it comes to the internet. Terms are tossed around like WiFi, Fiber Optics, High Speed Broadband, and a host of others. But if you don’t understand what these things mean, how can you possibly know what you want, or need, when it comes to getting yourself online? Needless to say, the whole issue can become rather confusing and even frustrating when you are a novice.

Many folks, and I include myself in that number, have found the simplest way to find the best service for their individual needs is to begin with an online search for providers by zip code. This search will lead you to websites that list all of the options available in your geographic area — and will then describe all the foreign-sounding terms in simple English you can understand. If you are like me, you’ll find the whole process is much easier once you understand exactly what is available to you. Then it is simple to do a side-by-side comparison of the services and prices offered by companies serving your community.

If you’re looking for the fastest internet, clearest TV channels and unparalleled phone reception, then considering att uverse might be a good idea. Their packages deliver the best of the internet right to your home using fiber optic technology, which is the fastest you can get. Because your internet is delivered via a dedicated line, you can enjoy all kinds of multimedia without slowdowns and interruptions. This internet type is also perfect for the online gamer. They also offer a range of popular bundles where you can save big, just by combining your internet, TV and phone with one company. There are also exclusive online offers that you can claim which can save you money on your equipment, service and more.

If you think your current internet provider doesn’t give you enough flexibility with your plan or contract, maybe it’s time to look elsewhere. And a good place to look is at&t internet service. No matter what your budget or internet needs, you can find a plan to suit you. This company offers two types of internet; DSL and a fiber optic option through their U-Verse product. DSL is convenient because it can be connected using your existing phone line. And fiber optic offers speeds unmatched by delivering your internet with lightning-fast speed. And there’s no need to worry about not being able to fit it into your budget, because plans start at under $15 per month for DSL, making finding the right package for you affordable, too.

As consumers, we are becoming more and more dependent on high speed broadband in order to stay connected, to take care of personal chores, or to conduct business.  For individuals who lived in rural settings, or for those who traveled a lot via mobile home, it was either dialup or nothing.  That is quickly changing as satellite internet becomes firmly entrenched in the internet access landscape.  While typically the cost of satellite internet is a bit higher than other forms of broadband access, satellite providers are making their services more and more affordable through rebates, free or reduced installation costs, cash back incentives, and monthly subscription rates that are cheaper than ever before.  Check out top providers like HughesNet or WildBlue to see what they are currently offering.