Tech issues: is your Internet connection rght for you?

Untangling the jumbled bandwith brigade from analog to cable

With a 28.8 Kbps (kilobits per second) Internet connection, WWW can take on a whole new meaning: World Wide Wait. Compelling content like top-quality video and audio, interactive game playing, Internet telephony and business applications such as Internet group collaboration are nearly impossible to facilitate through analog dial-up connections, also known as plain old telephone service (POTS). Consequently, there is a race among bandwidth providers to deliver much-needed faster connections on the Internet to your home or business.

Who really needs greater speed? The growing list includes individuals or businesses that are considering hosting their own Web site on a server, those that want autonomy over security issues around their local area network (LAN) or that want to implement efficient-operation tools such as videoconferencing. Others include companies or individuals that transfer and access unusually large databases or files like audio and video clips or desktop publishing documents.

The options currently available include POTS, presently the most popular mode of Net access, ISDN (integrated services digital network) and cable access. While DSL (digital service lines), satellite and radio-based delivery and T1 lines are available, they are either too costly or not widely deployed enough to warrant great detail in this article.

When deciding which bandwidth choice is right for you, consider the elements of your actual needs, such as upload and download rates, cost and the availability of the service in your area. Total cost may include associated equipment such as special modems, installation and monthly usage fees.

POTS

The first rung on the ladder of greater access is analog modems such as the 56 Kbps, which operate through your POTS. They range in price from $80 to $120. If you use the Internet mostly for text e-mail and occasional Web surfing, then this solution can deliver acceptable service.

ISDN

If you've grown beyond simple e-mail and light surfing, and wish to venture out toward activities such as telephony, videoconferencing and simultaneous data and voice activity, then ISDN is a much better bet. ISDN is a direct dial service, meaning that you will have the flexibility to dial up other ISDN services/facilities of your choice, but it is also tied to your POTS. If your ISDN goes down, so does your standard phone service. Having a separate phone line is a wise decision. ISDN delivers up to 128 Kbps and is widely available in regions across the country. For example, Bell Atlantic has over 450,000 ISDN lines in the Mid-Atlantic region that are mainly used by business customers.

The cost of ISDN varies by state. For example, in Virginia, Bell Atlantic offers 20 hours of monthly usage for $31 or 60 hours for $45, while Ameritech charges one monthly flat fee of $30-$70 (which allows for unlimited voice usage) and a per-minute rate on data usage. ISDN modems typically cost $200-$500, along with an installation fee of about $125. If this is the service for you, ask about promotions in which the installation fee is waived.

CABLE ACCESS

Cable modems are poised to compete for a niche in the marketplace by delivering up to 10 megabits per second (Mbps), although it's best to stay in the 1.5-3 Mbps range. National networks like TCI, the nation's largest cable company, and Time-Warner are already rolling out their cable modem product lines, @Home and Road Runner, respectively. Monthly fees average $40, and a cable modem can be purchased for around $100. In most instances, customers do not have a choice of ISPs, and must use their existing cable provider as their ISP as well.

Cable customers should note that while the service can offer impressive speeds, the network is shared by a group of users. This means that one cable will service a particular geographic area, and as more users sign on, speeds will slow down. In addition, in some cases a cable modem may rely on POTS for its uploading ability. So, if you're thinking of cable access to speed upload time, it's probably not a good idea. Don't expect the bandwidth jumble to clear up anytime soon. By this time next year, you'll have even more options.