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DSL INTERNET
The Internet, sometimes called simply “the Net,” is a worldwide system of computer networks – a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission, get information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other computers). It was conceived by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the U.S. government in 1969 and was first known as the ARPANet. The original aim was to create a network that would allow users of a research computer at one university to “talk to” research computers at other universities. A side benefit of ARPANet’s design was that, because messages could be routed or rerouted in more than one direction, the network could continue to function even if parts of it were destroyed in the event of a military attack or other disaster. Today, the Internet is a public, cooperative and self-sustaining facility accessible to hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Physically, the Internet uses a portion of the total resources of the currently existing public telecommunication networks. Technically, what distinguishes the Internet is its use of a set of protocols called TCP/IP (for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). Two recent adaptations of Internet technology, the intranet and the extranet, also make use of the TCP/IP protocol.
For most Internet users, electronic mail (email) practically replaced the postal service for short written transactions. People communicate over the Internet in a number of other ways including Internet Relay Chat (IRC), Internet telephony, instant messaging, video chat or social media.
Here is a List of the Top Internet Cable Providers.
Comcast.
The largest cable provider in the U.S., Comcast provides services to over 17 million internet customers at speeds of up to 105 Mbps. Comcast also provides additional features such as internet security and parental controls. Accounts come with 7 email accounts, but storage is limited to 10 MB/ea. Plans start at $29.99/month for 6 months.
AT&T.
AT&T provides DSL and dial-up services, as well as fiber optic connections with its U-Verse service, to over 17 million subscribers. DSL delivers speeds up to 6.0 Mbps. U-Verse fiber optic delivers speeds up to 24 Mpbs and includes 10 email accounts with unlimited email storage. Dial-up is $22.95/month. DSL starts at $14.95/month. U-Verse starts at $19.95/month
Time Warner Cable.
Time Warner Cable serves 14 million customers in 39 states. Through its cable network, it delivers speeds up to 50 Mbps. Its Road Runner service delivers speeds from 768 Kbps to 30 Mbps. Plans start at $19.99/month.
CenturyLink.
With its recent acquisition of Qwest Communications, CenturyLink has become the third largest telecommunications company in the U.S. and has 6.4 million Internet subscribers. It offers DSL and fiber optic services with speeds up to 40 Mbps. Plans start at $14.95/month.
Charter.
In 2009, Charter declared bankruptcy and sold off assets to clear $8 billion worth of debt. Now it has over 5 million customers in 25 states with cable speeds up to 60 Mbps. Accounts include Internet security, parental controls, and ten 1GB email accounts. Charter does not offer services in the western mountain states. Plans start at $19.99/month.
Verizon.
Verizon provides fiber optic, DSL, and dial-up. Its fiber optic service, which is called FiOS, is available in California, Texas, Florida, and a group of northeastern states. DSL plans starts at 0.5 to 1 Mbps and include nine email accounts and 10 MB of storage. FiOS offers speeds of 15 to 50 Mbps. Dial-up is $14.99/month. DSL starts at $29.99/month. FiOS starts at $49.99/month.
Cox.
Cox provide cable Internet services to approximately 4 million customers in 16 states. It provides speeds of 3 to 50 Mbps. Accounts also feature 10 email addresses, security software, and responsive customer support. Plans start at $15.99/month for 3 months.
Optimum.
Optimum is part of cable provider Cablevision. Optimum provides cable Internet to over 3 million subscribers in the New York metropolitan area and the Rocky Mountain states. It offers speeds up to 50 Mpbs. Each subscription comes with five 2GB email accounts, security and parental controls. Added features include 12GB site hosting. Plans start at $29.95 for 6 months
Frontier.
Frontier provides Internet access to over 3 million subscribers in primarily rural areas. It offers a DSL service. Subscriptions come with eight email accounts, security and parental software, and call waiting. Plans start at $14.99/month
Suddenlink.
Suddenlink is a cable broadband company that provides service to 1.4 million subscribers in primarily southern states, such as Texas and Louisiana, and rural communities. It features Suddenlink2GO, which can access TV and movie content from any computer across the U.S. Plans start at $19.95/month.
EarthLink.
Earthlink offers dial-up and DSL to over a million customers. DSL provides speeds from 1.5 to 6 Mbps. Cable offers speeds up to 15 Mbps. Subscriptions feature a security center for virus scanning, anti-spy ware, email and chat protection. Dial-up is $9.95. DSL starts at $14.95. Cable starts at $29.95
Windstream.
Windstream provides Internet access to over a million people in the eastern half of the U.S. It offers three DSL residential plans ranging from 3 Mbps to 12 Mbps. It also has bundled plans for small businesses. Plans start at 39.99/month.
Cable One.
Cable One is a cable company that provides Internet, phone and TV to approximately 750,000 customers in 19 states. It offers three plans: 1.5 Mbps with 2 email accounts; 5 Mbps with 15 email accounts and 100 MB of web space; and up to 50 Mbps with 15 email accounts and 50 GB data plan. Plans start at $20/month.
NetZero.
NetZero provides dial-up, accelerated dial-up and DSL to over 6,000 cities. Each subscription gets eight email accounts that can store 100MB each. Also it provides a personal home page with social networking status and a Google search box. Internet security and parental controls are add-ons. Plans start at $9.95/month.
