Ahh, the Internet. There is so much to do, see and get done on the internet, from checking out the latest hockey scores, or the local weather report, to paying your bills. Still, there are many ways to connect to the Internet, and being a savvy consumer means being aware of the different types of internet connectivity.

Cable Internet

Cable internet is a very popular option these days among households and businesses, alike. There are several pros to using a cable modem. With a cable modem, your internet connection is always available and at a high speed. In addition, cable internet access does not tie up a phone line like dial-up. There is also the cost to consider. Many cable companies offer a bundled service that includes cable television, cable internet connectivity and, now, even digital phone services. Also, even though most cities may only be home to a single cable company, you still may be able to shop around among ISPs, or Internet Service Providers, such as Roadrunner, Earthlink, and AOL, among others.

DSL

The next choice in Internet accessibility is DSL, which stands for digital subscriber lines. As with cable, a DSL modem means your computer is always connected to the internet through a high speed connection. The cost rivals that of cable and with DSL you are not sharing a cable line. Instead, you are using your own phone line without tying up the phone lines. Still, there are disadvantages. You must be at least within “17000 feet from a central telephone office” in order to receive service, reports MSN House and Home. Also, the speed varies the farther you are from this connection.

Satellite

Another great high-speed option is satellite internet access. For those who live in rural areas and smaller towns this may be the only high-speed option available. While the speed may not be quite up to par with cable and DSL services, it still beats dial-up. Another concern is the interruption of service. As with satellite television, satellite internet is also affected by issues such as interference from storms that can interrupt your internet service.

Dial-Up

Dial-up may be finding it harder and harder to compete against the high-speed Internet options; however there are advantages to retreating to this original form of access. Dial-up is by far the cheapest internet option, and for those who do not spend much time on the internet, this may be the best option.