The all-too familiar set up of an Internet connection is through the use of phone lines with dial-up or some other kind of arrangement. There are broadband and high-speed Internet options, though, that do not require the use of a phone line. Instead, broadband Internet plans give you some other method to link to your Internet provider.
For example, you can use a modem, a special modem/router combo or even a wireless card to connect to the World Wide Web. As it stands, connecting to the Internet and getting cheap broadband without phone lines isn’t difficult, but you must be prepared to research the type of Internet service you want to go with before signing any contracts or agreeing to any monthly plans.
Why Cheap Broadband?
Internet connections that require you to use a phone to “dial in” to a network to get online can often be excruciatingly slow. In fact, dial-up services only can provide speeds around 35 to 45kbps, loading the Internet at about one page per minute or longer. On the other hand, broadband providers offer speeds anywhere from 10 to 20 Mbps, on average, depending on which provider you select.
Though many smaller businesses and homes that cannot afford broadband still use dial-up Internet service, broadband and high-speed options are slowly beginning to takeover and dominate the marketplace. Finding a cheap and inexpensive service, then, makes switching to a broadband provider that much more attractive an option.
Besides the financial savings you gain by switching to a low-cost broadband service, you also have the added bonus of hooking up to the Internet whenever you want. The phrase “always on” is frequently used to describe broadband because you can use the Internet any time of day you want without worrying about tying up the phone line or keeping track of the minutes or hours you use of your service like you might want dial-up. In addition, broadband without phone lines is more convenient as you don’t need to run or track wires from point-to-point.
The Efficiency of Broadband
A major advantage of switching to a low-cost broadband provider is the fact that broadband is much more efficient and effective than dial-up Internet — and any Internet service that hogs your phone line — can ever be.
To understand the efficiency of broadband versus dial-up, we think of this in terms of the number of connections you have to your Internet service provider. With a dial-up connection, you use your phone line, which provides one direct link to the Internet provider.
With a broadband connection, however, you have multiple Internet lines. Instead of using just one line to tap into your Internet connection, you have several “channels” that are connected to your ISP. Some lines are devoted to downloading, some for uploading and others for voice data.
Instead of traveling down a one-lane highway as you did with dial-up, a low-cost broadband service divides the highway so that you can surf the Internet at a much more efficient rate.
Broadband Options
When it comes to evaluating the different services and options you have, there are basically two types of broadband you can subscribe to. The first is cable. With a cable network, you don’t need a phone line and the provider doesn’t even have to configure the line for you to use the service. Cable uses thick, coaxial cable instead of your phone line for a connection.
The other option is satellite, which doesn’t require a phone line, either. In both cases, however, you must setup a cable modem or satellite receiver, devices that give you a link to your Internet provider. Modems and receivers are typically “leased” from the Internet company and you pay a minimal monthly fee to use them.
A third option that you might want to consider, though, is mobile broadband. Depending on the level of service and specific package you choose, mobile broadband can be either more expensive or less so than a home broadband installation.
Though you can use mobile broadband inside your home, you’re also free to use it wherever you roam outdoors. To get online, you need no other modem, router or other hardware. On the other hand, you must get a subscription for each person or computer you wish to have the mobile broadband Internet connection.
Broadband Providers and Bandwidth Speeds
As mentioned, the amount you pay for mobile broadband depends on the package you choose. Even though a regular home broadband installation is typically less expensive than a mobile package as a whole, the same is true as far as how much you pay. Practically all broadband providers give you an unlimited amount of usage while at home and some limit your usage if you’re on a mobile package. The difference, however, usually lies within the bandwidth speeds you’re able to obtain.
Bandwidth basically refers to how fast you want your Internet service to be. Speeds around 10 Mbps are average for most broadband providers, and this is often the lowest package you can subscribe to. Many broadband services, however, offer speeds up to 50 Mbps, which means that you’re tapping into a super-fast Internet service.
However, you only really need to subscribe to a service that offers 50Mbps or greater if you’re looking to participate in heavy downloading activities, such as the downloading of hundreds of songs and videos per day. Suffice it to say that the average person will not notice a big difference between 5 or 10 Mbps. On the whole, then, you may only want to pay for the cheapest broadband package if you’re seeking a truly low-cost option.
As you can see, there’s much to think about when it comes to the installation of broadband services. You can get your whole household connected for a lot cheaper than you can with a service that requires phone lines anyway. However, you must think about price, speed and the type of service you want — mobile or otherwise — before you settle on a broadband subscription.
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