Discover the world of DSL technology with KonectEaze! Learn what DSL is, its benefits, and how it can enhance your internet experience.
09 May, 2024 | Posted by:
Category: Cable, Entertainment, Deals & Packages, Internet, Service Providers, Streaming, Technology | No Comments
On average, we spend over 6.5 hours a day on the internet. For many, it's not uncommon to be digitally connected for the entire day.
For this reason, it's very important that you choose the right type of internet, as well as the right internet service provider (ISP). Most Americans choose to get DSL, which is a type of high-speed connection that's available in many parts of the country.
But exactly what is DSL? Is it a good choice for you? And what are the ISPs that are near you anyway?
In this article, we'll answer all your important questions so shopping for the best internet services is a cinch.
What is DSL internet?
Before we can answer that, let's first answer this question: what does "DSL" stand for? "DSL" stands for "digital subscriber line." With that out of the way, we can tackle what exactly this means.
DSL internet is where you get high speed internet through the use of telephone wires. You need a modem to connect to, and if you want wireless service, you'll have to also get a router to broadcast the signal in your house.
For most people, DSL is a great internet choice since it offers pretty decent speeds, lots of coverage around the US, and fair prices in most places. However, there are some places where there is no DSL service, which means you'll have to consider some alternatives (more on that later).
DSL internet signals are transmitted through telephone wires. This means it uses a copper wire connection, which has been around since the advent of the telephone. This means it's a very reliable method of transmitting signals for telecommunications.
DSL takes advantage of unused telephone wires, which is what gives it a leg up when compared to the old-fashioned dial-up internet. If you've previously used it before, you'll know that whenever you need to get online, the phone line is tied up, which means both incoming and outgoing calls aren't possible. However, with DSL, it uses a separate telephone line, which means you're still free to use the landline whenever you please.
Now you have a basic understanding of what DSL internet is and how it works. But how does it compare to other types of internet?
In general, your other choices include cable, fixed wireless, satellite, and fiber optic internet. Read on to find out more about how good these are in relation to DSL.
Cable internet is the biggest contender for DSL internet. They get similar speeds, plus they both have wide coverage across the US.
Like with DSL, you need to use a modem to receive cable internet signals. This is attached to the cable wires in your home, which also provide cable TV services. Because of this, you'll usually see these services bundled together from the same provider.
Cable wires need to already be laid by the ISP; otherwise, it can be an investment that's not worth it for them. This is why you won't find cable coverage in some more rural areas. However, for the most part, expect to find cable internet service in the majority of cities.
Unfortunately, you won't always find DSL and cable internet everywhere you go. In that case, you might have to resort to using fixed wireless internet.
This service broadcasts internet signals through radiowaves, which means you don't have to use a modem or router. All you have to do is connect wirelessly, and you're set!
The downside to this is service can be spotty, especially if bad winds or storms go through your town. In addition, speeds won't be as fast or stable just because they're not through a wired connection.
But as we've said, you may have no choice in the matter if you live in a rural area. However, you might have satellite internet as an alternative.
Satellite internet is available in basically every corner of the United States, which makes it a lifesaver if you live out in the sticks. You receive an internet signal through a satellite in space, which is what gives it such great coverage.
To get satellite internet, the ISP needs to install a receiver and some equipment in your home. When you combine these installation charges with the monthly fees, it may be quite expensive for many households.
In addition, satellite internet may offer great speeds, but there are definitely much better options out there. However, it's a fantastic choice for those who live in the outskirts.
Fiber optic internet offers some of the fastest internet speeds around. In fact, they can get up to 100 times the speed of cable or DSL internet!
This type of internet uses fiber optic connections, which is a bundle of wires. It's a lot more efficient than copper wires, since light can travel so quickly and reliably. This is how it gets "lightning-fast" speeds.
The main downside to fiber optic internet is it's not readily available in most parts of the country. It takes a huge investment for an ISP to install the lines, and it's not worth it in more rural areas. This is why you'll mainly find fiber optic internet in major cities.
In addition, this service is quite expensive when compared to the others. Cable and DSL should provide decent enough speeds for the average user, so you'll save a lot more money by going with those choices instead.
After reading the list above, you might have come to the conclusion that DSL internet is what you want for your home. In that case, you should find out about the top DSL providers so you know which companies to look out for in your area.
Below are the best ISPs for DSL in the United States.
EarthLink is the number 1 DSL provider in the country. They serve over 165 million people and provide DSL services in 31 states. You'll enjoy maximum download speeds of 100 Mbps.
The states you'll get the greatest coverage in are California, Texas, and New York. EarthLink's top areas served include Los Angeles, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, Brooklyn, Miami, and New York.
With EarthLink's DSL services, you won't have any data caps. Their "HyperLink" services won't have them either.
While many other ISPs offer phone and TV services, this one doesn't. So if you're thinking of getting those subscriptions, you'll have to find another provider.
Unsurprisingly, AT&T is at the top of the list for DSL internet providers. They're a well-known brand that's served the US for many years, so you can expect to get great internet services from them.
This ISP serves over 122 million people and has coverage in 21 states. They also offer DSL speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
AT&T Internet can mainly be found in California, Texas, and Florida. The top areas served by this ISP are Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, and Miami.
AT&T does offer digital landline phone services, as well as digital TV. In fact, they're the owners of DirecTV. So you'll be able to find cost-saving bundles for all 3 services with this ISP.
Third on the list is CenturyLink. Their population covered isn't nearly as high as the other 2; they only serve 49 million people.
However, they have excellent coverage that spans 39 states. In addition, their DSL speeds are slightly faster at 140 Mbps. They also have fiber optic internet in some areas.
The main states CenturyLink serves are Arizona, Colorado, and Washington. The top cities they serve include Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, Tucson, Saint Paul, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis.
CenturyLink also has phone and digital TV services available. Bundle them together to get their "Prism TV" services.
Verizon also serves around 49 million people in the United States. They offer their DSL services across 11 states. Their internet speeds aren't as excellent; their speed tops out at 15 Mbps.
The main states you'll find Verizon High Speed Internet in are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The top cities they serve are Buffalo, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and New York.
While you can certainly enjoy DSL services with Verizon, they only offer phone services in addition to it. If you want TV services, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Frontier Communications covers a population of over 33 million and can be found in 29 states. Their DSL speeds get a maximum of 100 Mbps. They also have fiber optic internet available that's routed through Verizon Fios's lines.
This ISP mainly serves California, Connecticut, and Florida. The big cities you'll get coverage in include Long Beach, Fort Wayne, Lakeland, Durham, Rochester, Saint Petersburg, and Tampa.
If you wish to bundle TV and phone services with your internet plan, you can do so with Frontier Communications.
Windstream is an ISP that serves almost 14 million of the population. What's great is they have coverage in all 50 states and you can get speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps with their DSL services.
The main states that get great coverage from Windstream are Texas, Illinois, and Georgia. The top cities served are Lincoln, Lexington, Charlotte, Sugarland, Concord, Broken Arrow, and New York.
Like with many other ISPs, you can get digital phone and TV services. The TV service is through their partner, Dish Network. Windstream is a great choice for not only DSL in more rural areas, but also for their discounted bundles.
Consolidated Communications is formerly known as Fairpoint Communications. They serve over 4.6 million people and have a coverage area of 24 states. Their DSL speed maxes out at 200 Mbps and they also provide cable, fixed wireless, and fiber optic internet services.
You'll get the greatest coverage from Consolidated Communications if you live in New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine. The top areas served by this ISP are Conroe, Katy, Roseville, Nashua, Citrus Heights, New York, and Manchester.
Consolidated Communications does have phone and TV services, which you can bundle with their DSL services. However, you may want to opt for bigger companies outside of internet for better service.
Sonic serves almost 3 million customers in the United States. Unfortunately, you'll only find coverage in 1 state: California. Their DSL internet gives you a maximum download speed of 100 Mbps.
As you'd expect, the top areas served are exclusively in this state. They include Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, and Oakland. So if you live in Northern California, Sonic is a great DSL option.
This ISP also offers fiber internet services. In addition, you can bundle phone services with your internet package. However, they do not offer any TV services, so you'll have to choose another provider for this.
Now you know the answer to the question: what is DSL? In addition, you have tons more information on how it works, as well as what the top ISPs are.
With this knowledge, you can make a better-informed decision when it comes to getting a smooth and hassle-free internet connection. The next step is to search KonectEaze's huge database of the best internet deals in your area. We'll help you save some money so you can enjoy the best DSL internet services, all without being charged an arm and a leg.
Do you want to get an excellent DSL internet connection for your household? Then start searching now. Our zip code search tool will let you look through thousands of internet plans instantly!
Rise Broadband offers comprehensive plans for homeowners and businesses. If you're in Texas, these 5 cities can sign up for Rise Broadband.
16 December, 2024 | Posted by:
Category: Business Internet, Cable, Entertainment, Deals & Packages, Reviews, Internet, Service Providers, Streaming, Technology | No Comments
If there was ever a time that proved to you how valuable a secure, constant, and speedy internet service is, that time is now. COVID-19 is straining the limits of some internet service providers. However, if you use Rise Broadband, it's their fixed wireless internet service that gives you a robust and continuous service through a common alternative to cable and DSL providers.
With over 2,674 internet service provides in the U.S., your options can seem almost limitless. But there are very few internet service providers able to deliver reliable and continual wireless service. Rise broadband, with its fixed wireless system, continues to lead the way for companies that are leaders in their respective industries like Google.
Read on to learn about some of Rise Broadband's plans for comprehensive coverage for both homeowners and businesses. If you live in Texas, there are already five cities offering Rise Broadband. There may never be a better time to secure your internet service with one of the best alternatives in the market today.
Rise Broadband parent company was JAB Wireless, Inc. that incorporated in 2005. JAB Wireless, Inc. became re-branded under the Rise Broadband name and banner in 2015. Since it's rebranding, it has grown in leaps and bounds due to its most significant benefit to consumers.
Rise Broadband delivers its service wirelessly. Customers receive their internet connection from a beamed broadcast access tower in their area. The beam goes directly to the customer's antenna that's been installed on their rood, and it's distributed within the customer's home through a WIFI router.
The Rise broadband connection is called a fixed wireless Internet service. That's why with the company headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, the company continues to grow and develop with high-speed internet and digital voice services across sixteen states.
Rise Broadband gives customers an alternative over cable and DSL providers like Comcast. Different internet service providers offer different price plans, speeds, and coverage areas. For instance, Frontier Communications' customer population is 33,290,459.
Rise Broadband currently has 25,719,363. Frontier Communications and Rise Broadband are often compared due to the closeness of their customer populations and service provisions. When you look at the comprehensive overview of Rise Broadband's growth in Texas, you're better able to understand that Rise has more penetration in diverse areas with its extensive network for homeowners and businesses. Rise broadband is in over 3,726 Texas zip codes.
When you need a fixed wireless internet service alternative to cable and DSL in San Antonio, Texas, Rise is where you need to go and check out first. There are approximately 677,376 customers of Rise Broadband in San Antonio. You can choose from different tiers of service speeds, depending on what you need.
The range goes from economy packages to the breakout internet package. In San Antonio, Rise also offers bundles that included Rise security, protection, and support for up to five devices with streaming, IoT, and home network support services.
Dallas offers its population over thirty-two home internet options and fifty-three business internet choices. Every home has the choice to sign up for a fixed-line service. Rise Broadband provides 52.5% of the Dallas population using fixed wireless.
There's a wide range of zip codes near Dallas that also can use Rise broadband which includes but isn't limited to:
The surrounding areas around Dallas fit right in with Rise Broadband's overriding mission, which is to close the digital divide by offering rural and suburban homes and businesses competitive choices in their internet services.
If you're not from Texas or live in Texas, it's easy to think that Fort Worth and Dallas are geographically the same areas. In reality, they are quite different in population and territory. Fort Worth offers thirty-three home internet options with over forty-one business service choices.
99.8 of all Fort Worth, Texas homes can get fixed-line service. There's a wide range of zip codes near Fort Worth that also can use Rise broadband which includes but isn't limited to:
Fort Worth does have regular competition in internet service providers like AT&T, Spectrum, Frontier, and more. But often when customers are looking for that which is comparable or can exceed their DSL, Cable or Fiber, they often turn to Rise broadband.
Plano, Texas, offers its population over twenty-eight home internet options and forty-one business service choices. There's a wide range of zip codes near Plano, Texas that can also use Rise broadband which includes but isn't limited to:
Plano, Texas, is considered in some places to be more rural, but you do get DSL, Cable, Fiber, Wireless, and Satellite Internet provider services. They all range in giving you between 5 to 1000 Mbps.
Lubbock, Texas, offers its population an excellent selection of home internet options with twenty-three to choose from. They also have twenty-two business internet choices. What's more, is 99.6% of all of the homes in Lubbock can get fixed-line services.
There's a wide range of zip codes near Lubbock that also can use Rise broadband which includes but isn't limited to:
The provider with the most coverage in the Lubbock area is Rise Broadband, which is available to 100% of the city.
When you're considering switching internet providers, you want to know their coverage areas, internet speed, and overall costs with and without bundling your services. That's why it's essential to understand your next step is your most important one. When you consider the positive Rise Broadband reviews as well as their ability to give you what you want, when you need it at a price you can afford, you create an almost perfect combination.
Reach out to KonectEaze when you're ready to empower yourself and your home or business with an internet provider that offers you transparency, value, and fairness. KonectEaze has one overall purpose and that's to make sure you know the best deals you can receive for your internet, cable, or any other home service option you're considering. Today's world has brought about changes in what we use and expect from our internet providers.
KonectEaze has the answers you may have about ensuring you never go without the latest and greatest information and data you need to know for the health and safety of your home and family.
We rely on a WiFi connection for so much from communication and entertainment to smart device support and wider business applications. How, then, can you choose a suitable internet provider?
30 October, 2024 | Posted by:
Category: Business Internet, Cable, Entertainment, Deals & Packages, Internet, Service Providers, Streaming, Technology | No Comments
Internet access is something we take for granted these days. We rely on a WiFi connection for so much from communication and entertainment to smart device support and wider business applications.
How, then, can you choose a suitable internet provider?
Luckily, finding the best internet providers is straightforward if you adopt a logical approach. Follow the steps we outline today and you’ll easily unearth great internet packages tailored to your requirements.
Whether you need an internet connection for your home or business premises, your first job is to check that the package you want is available in your area.
You could find that even some of the services from leading providers doesn’t give you the speed and reliability you need where you live. This becomes even more of an issue in rural areas.
Starting your decision off based on performance by location is a great way to whittle down your options before you get started thinking about those all-important metrics…
The first thing we would say about speed is that you do not need to obsess over speeds if you’re a casual single user.
How about if your household has teens constantly downloading, someone working from home, streaming services and smart devices competing for bandwidth? Well, you’d be well advised to consider a fiber connection if this is possible where you live.
When it comes to speed, you should investigate whether these claimed speeds are delivered. You should extend your research to include overall uptime and reliability. Reading honest user feedback is a great way to gauge the real-life performance of internet providers.
Once you’ve established that the package you want is available locally and gives you speed adequate for your needs, take a moment to consider download limits.
Again, the relevance of this will depend entirely on your online habits. You should also explore the difference in price between plans with data caps and unlimited data alternatives.
If your kids are constantly downloading media, you spend a lot of time streaming, and you don’t want to be constantly monitoring limits, go for an uncapped package. You won’t regret it.
Now, you might now have found an internet package in line with your needs but what about if things go wrong?
Given the volatility of internet connectivity, it makes sense to do business with a company boasting a solid reputation for customer service. As with your other areas of research, scouring user reviews is a great way to begin assessing how the provider performs when help is required.
So, once you’ve got this ironed out, there’s one more all-important element to consider: price.
Price plays a significant role in any buying decision and it’s no different when you’re shopping internet providers. The cost is doubly relevant since the expense will be ongoing rather than a one-off investment.
That said, you should focus on finding a package that’s priced within budget but still delivers everything you need. It’s pointless compromising yourself for the sake of a few bucks.
As well as pricing, it also pays to think about contract length. Are you forced to commit to a certain time period? If so, are there penalty fees for early termination? Make sure you’re completely happy with any agreement before you sign and lock yourself in.
Get all these factors nailed and you’ll soon discover that finding a great internet provider really isn’t that hard.
Fast and reliable connectivity underpins many modern smart homes and you’ll get the robust WiFi you need to keep all that tech running smoothly.
22 October, 2024 | Posted by:
Category: Cable, Entertainment, Deals & Packages, Internet, Service Providers, Streaming, Technology | No Comments
If you think about your media consumption, chances are your habits have changed dramatically over the past couple of decades.
Firstly, chances are you’ll demand internet access at home. According to Pew Research Center, 90% of adult Americans now use the internet. The same study shows almost 75% of US households have a broadband connection.
Fast and reliable connectivity underpins many modern smart homes and you’ll get the robust WiFi you need to keep all that tech running smoothly.
A brisk internet connection is also vital if you want to use streaming services in place of cable TV.
As an added complication when you’re shopping for services at home, you have the phone to consider.
Most of the principal internet providers give you the chance to take care of all your communication and entertainment needs with the best home internet deals.
With triple-play packages, you will get:
Internet
TV
Phone Service
As with any comprehensive package like this, you’ll qualify for a discount and you should get unlimited nationwide calls as standard. Essentially, bundling your services can save you time and money if you get it right.
We would suggest you think closely before launching into any commitment like this. You should also start by carefully analyzing your needs.
To give you some inspiration, we’ll briefly highlight the benefits of three leading internet bundles so you can see if any would make a good fit.
If you prioritize a wide choice of TV viewing, AT&T serve up 550 channels so there’s something for all the family.
Monthly prices come in anywhere from $55 to $230 depending on the contents of the chosen bundle.
Opt for the DIRECTV package and you’ll get an HD DVR from Genie thrown in along with hundreds of channels. When combined with AT&T internet, you’ve got a powerful combination. Alternatively, sign up for fiber TV bundles offering enormous choice and great reliability.
AT&T Fiber promises gigabit-speed internet. Speeds of the standard packages are still fairly brisk. Throw in class-leading TV content and all you need to do is choose your bundle.
For anyone prizing high internet speed above all else, Verizon Fios Home Internet promises some of the quickest speeds nationwide.
With download speeds from 100 to 940 Mbps and fairly impressive upload speeds, Verizon internet should satisfy a large family of heavy users.
Bundles including internet and TV range from $89.99 per month to $169.99 monthly. With Fios TV, you get 125 to 425+ channels so you’ll never get caught short.
The only real drawback of this exclusively fiber network is an ambiguous policy concerning data caps. We’d suggest speaking to the customer service representative to make sure you’re getting the package you need without the risk of your speeds being throttled for excessive usage.
To round out, one of the best all-rounders for internet bundles is Xfinity, the largest cable TV and internet provider.
With swift speeds to 275 Mbps and over 250 TV channels, you don’t get a huge choice of packages but the three options are all effective and come in from $119.99 monthly to $159.99 monthly for TV and internet combined.
You should use these ideas as a starting point if you’re struggling to find internet bundles then focus on the best options in your area.
Focus on location first then double down on what you need included and what you feel is most important, whether that’s internet speed, channel selection, or ease of cancellation. With those elements dialed in, you should easily find a package catering for all your requirements.
With average cable bills coming in at $85 a month, and most satellite TV providers charging $100 a month, it’s only natural to seek out savings in this area.
09 May, 2024 | Posted by:
Category: Cable, Entertainment, Deals & Packages, Internet, Service Providers, Streaming, Technology | No Comments
With average cable bills coming in at $85 a month, and most satellite TV providers charging $100 a month, it’s only natural to seek out savings in this area.
When you throw in the cost of internet, there’s even more reason to get the best possible deal for both services.
We’ll kick off today by showing you how you can cut back on internet expenditure before exploring how to save money on cable.
TLDR: Bundle your TV and internet for the best possible deal.
1. Threaten to Leave
2. Consider a Lower Speed Plan
3. Buy Your Own Modem
4. Switch Providers
5. Constantly Monitor Local Deals
If you’re unhappy with the amount you’re paying for your internet, do you feel you could get a better deal elsewhere?
Before anything else, call your internet provider and explain your situation. In the vast majority of cases, if you express your intention to leave, the company representative will offer some form of incentive to stay.
This strategy is a win-win. Even if you don’t get any discount, you are not committed to leaving. You’ve got nothing to lose by asking.
Now, downgrading to a lower speed plan is a surefire way to save money with most providers. The question is, will that negatively impact your day-to-day use?
If you have teens in the house downloading and online gaming, or you work from home, this will not be a viable way to save money. You need that extra speed.
For lighter users, downgrading to a 3 Mbps package could generate savings of close to $200 a year.
Check to see if your internet provider charges you a monthly fee for modem rental. If so, buy your own modem instead. You’ll recoup the cost quickly and then save on ongoing costs.
If the threat of leaving you made earlier didn’t work and you have found a superior deal, switch providers. You’ll often benefit from an attractive introductory rate for the first year.
Many consumers switch providers every year or so to benefit from this, although we wouldn’t recommend that strategy. It’s much trouble for too little reward.
If you feel you could get better value elsewhere, vote with your feet.
To find internet providers in your area, you need to do little more than monitor the websites of the major ISPs to see whether they operate in your state of residence.
Stay aware of what the competition is pricing and don’t hesitate to switch ISPs if you feel you would be better served elsewhere.
OK…
With some minor savings made on your internet, how can you achieve further cuts with cable?
1. Trim Your Package
2. Buy Your Own Modem
3. Scrutinize Fees
4. Consider Whether You Really Need a DVR
5. Cut The Cord Completely
6. Bundle Cable and Internet
The first and most obvious saving you can make on cable is to ditch the premium channels. Kiss goodbye to HBO and Showtime, and you could pay $30 a month less. You can always resubscribe if you change your mind.
This Nielsen study shows that the average American adult watches no more than 20 channels. Ask yourself if you could trim some fit to cut back the monthly bill.
If you’re being charged monthly to rent a cable modem, buy your own instead. Just like with an internet modem, you’ll recoup the modest cost in short order then save month-on-month.
Check your bill closely and ask for clarification of any fees you’re unclear about.
While many fees are unavoidable, you could sidestep some unnecessary charges simply by examining your bill and following up with a call to customer care.
Is it imperative that you record TV shows?
You could easily save $10 a month if you get rid of the DVR so ask yourself how much priority you place on the convenience of recording TV.
Now, the extreme way to save money on cable is not to have a cable package at all.
These days, with platforms like Netflix offering such cheap subscriptions and first-class programming, there’s no need to have cable. Grab a digital antenna for broadcast TV then opt for a cord-cutting package for much less money than your cable.
For anyone reluctant to cut the cord completely, you could take advantage of bundle deals for cable and internet.
All major providers offer combination deals. You can throw in phone service, too.
As with any package deal, you should get better value without a reduction in performance.
If you have any secrets on saving money for internet or cable, drop us a line and share the savings.
Bookmark our site before you go and we’ll see you soon.
