Broadband vs DSL vs Satellite Internet

Most people don’t know the difference between a broadband and DSL connection. This is due to the vague definition of broadband that— since its origin—has not been updated properly. 

Broadband was originally defined as downstream speeds faster than 512 Kbps. Though the FCC increased the minimum speed to 4 Mbps or higher, it still does not provide much clarity. 

To make things simpler, there’s not much difference between broadband and DSL. In fact, DSL is a type of broadband internet that is transmitted over twisted pair copper telephone lines.

The speed of DSL can range between 1.5 Mbps and 12 Mbps, depending upon the distance, equipment, and quality of the lines. If we compare DSL to other available broadband connections, it certainly lacks in speed. Let’s take a look at a few other alternatives:

·      A satellite connection like Hughesnet or Viasat can reach over 10 Mbps and can go up to 100mbps.

·      A cable connection like Xfinity, Spectrum or AT&T can reach over 1000Mbps.

·      A fiber connection like Centurylink or Frontier can reach over 1000 Mbps.

Different Types of Broadband Internet

Broadband covers a comprehensive range of internet connections, with only a few exceptions such as dial-up. Some of the most common types of broadband internet include: 

·      Cable Internet

·      DSL Internet

·      Fiber optic Internet

·      Satellite Internet

Aside from internet speed, the primary difference between all of these broadband connections is the area of coverage. Cable internet is typically available in cities and surrounding suburban areas.  That is why most customers are familiar with brand names like Xfinity, Comcast, Charter Spectrum and AT&T.  These are the brands that serve the majority of the United States Broadband needs because this is the largest oldest network we have.

Fiber optic internet is more limited when it comes to network coverage, and is available in a few major cities.  The reason for this is because fiber internet infrastructure is expensive to build and maintain.  Yes it is fast but to get that lighting speed to the consumer is also much more than laying down cable.  Just ask companies like Verizon and Centruylink who have made significant investments into the infrastructure of Broadband services here in our country. 

On the other hand, DSL connections and satellite internet have wide coverage and can be offered in more places.  Satellite internet covers almost 90% of the United States because unlike cable, Satellites are free to roam through space and provide a much broader signal.  Cable internet is limited to where cables are run.  Companies like Viasat and Hughesnet launch billion dollar satellites into the sky and these satellites have not only the capability to provide service to millions of customers throughout the world but they also provide service to the United States military.  For Viasat, providing service to the US intelligence community is a far bigger portion of their business than the civilian a.k.a. consumer side. 

Which option should you choose?

There are several factors that you must consider before choosing your network connection.

If you need fast speeds, there’s no better option than fiber optics. As mentioned previously, it can reach 1000+ Mbps, enabling you access to super fast downloading speeds.  Centurylink is our pick in this category. 

Though fiber optics broadband is a slightly expensive choice, it can save you a great amount of time and prove to be an excellent choice—especially if you work remotely.  When working remotely, factors to be considered when choosing your internet service provider include speed requirement, if you are connecting to a VPN, or if you have any task in which latency or lag will be an issue.  For most people the connection speed of satellite internet is sufficient if you are just browsing and gaming but satellite internet service should be reserved for people who cannot get cable or fiber internet. 

In case you don’t have access to fiber optics, you can always resort on a DSL or cable connection. Both of these broadband connections come with a high volume of bandwidth, allowing you to meet your internet needs.  That being said, Cable will trump DSL and will allow you to stream apps like Netflix or Hulu while still browsing online.  Forget about doing any of those activities with DSL.  

Finally, if you don’t have access to any of these broadband connections, satellite internet can be your final bet. 

There are several internet service providers in the market that offer reliable, high-speed internet solutions to individuals and businesses.

You can learn about them on KonnectEaze, a website that allows you to compare the top internet service providers in the United States.

As they sort service providers using zip codes, you can easily find the best internet packages in your area.

Viasat-The-Best-Satellite-Internet-Review-of-2020

Consumers have trusted Viasat with their high-speed internet needs for more than 30 years. Despite growing competition from other U.S. internet service providers, Viasat remains one of the top satellite ISPs in the nation.

Formerly known as Exede, the Satellite ISP provider officially switched to Viasat internet in 2012. Viasat services hundreds of thousands of consumers across the country and is available in all 50 states. The largest coverage areas are in New York, Texas, and California.

Viasat's staying power is attributed, in part, to the market itself. There is very little competition in the Satellite ISP industry, and Viasat is the second-largest satellite internet provider in the country, next to HughesNet.

Are you considering Viasat satellite internet? Learn how Viasat internet works, and explore its plans, high speeds, features, and more.

Viasat vs. Other ISPs

Most ISPs are cable or DSL providers. Viasat, on the other hand, delivers high-speed internet via satellite. If this is your first experience with satellite internet, there are important differences to know about satellite vs. cable and DSL.

The Difference between Satellite, Cable, and DSL

A significant advantage of satellite internet is that it can be accessed wherever a satellite dish is present. That means you can access it virtually anywhere from the country. That's why satellite internet is more accessible to some rural areas than cable and DSL services.

Availability of Cable and DSL

While several top internet providers offer cable or DSL only, these services aren't available in every area. You'll need to look up your zip code to find out if cable or DSL providers service your area at all. If your area isn't currently serviced, you would need to look at alternatives, like satellite internet.

Why isn't cable or DSL service available for everyone? This is a frequently asked question. It has everything to do with location.

If your area is located too far from an ISP's servicing equipment, you won't have access to that service. This is a frequent issue for rural communities. Distance is why some ISPs have monopolies over certain areas. Some areas are lucky to have two cable ISP choices.

A cable or DSL servicing area must be located within 18,000 feet of an ISP's telecommunications equipment to get service. Internet speed depends on how close you are to servicing equipment. A house that's 3,000 feet away from telecom equipment will enjoy faster internet than a home located 17,000 feet away.

How Viasat Satellite Internet Works

Cable ISPs transmit signals via coaxial cables directly to your internet modem. DSL providers use phone lines to deliver internet services. Viasat internet transmits signals from Earth to its orbiting satellites located outside of Earth.

Once Viasat receives the signal request, it transmits a signal from its orbiting satellites back to your satellite dish, delivering high-speed internet directly to your home. Your computer transmits a signal to your internet modem, which sends a signal request to your attached satellite dish.

You'll need at least two pieces of equipment to access Viasat satellite internet: a Viasat brand satellite dish and the wifi modem with a built-in router. Coaxial cables are also necessary for connecting your dish and modem.

Viasat's most current wifi modem also comes with the company's analog voice adapter to enable VoIP capabilities. However, if you're using an older Exede internet modem, you can purchase the voice adapter separately. This add-on is ideal for businesses that want to switch to virtual phone lines.

Viasat's satellite internet dish is separate from your TV satellite dish. Viasat's dish is small, measuring at only 30 by 28 inches wide. Most homeowners install their dish on the side of their houses, but you can also install them on a nearby mole or freestanding mount.

After ordering Viasat internet, a company technician can help you position your dish for optimal speed. Service and dish installation can take anywhere from two to three hours with a certified technician.

How to Get on the Internet

Rest assured, your Viasat technician will help you configure your internet. They'll also create the network name and password of your choice.

It's important to know how to configure Viasat internet if you ever move or need to set up a new network. Your Viasat equipment comes with assigned identifiers that you can use to set up your network. Your network password is the "key" on the bottom of your wireless internet modem.

Once your devices are connected, they'll recognize the network name printed on the back of your modem. All you have to do is type in your password, and you're good to go. If you want to create a new network name and password, call a technician or follow the online instructions provided by Viasat.

Types of Viasat Plans

Viasat has several types of residential internet plans. These include:

• Liberty monthly plans
• Unlimited Bronze
• Unlimited Silver
• Unlimited Gold
• Unlimited Platinum

These monthly plans are divided into separate tiers. Data capacity and internet speeds increase with each tier.

How Fast is Viasat Satellite Internet?

Viasat's performance and speed depend on three things: your dish location, service area, and chosen monthly plan.

Viasat offers several internet plans for homes, businesses, and government agencies.

While any home or building can install a Viasat dish, different residential plans are available for different areas. Availability is determined by the satellite beams that service each location. To find out which plans are available in your area, you'll need to search for plans by zip code.

For example, most Liberty plans start at 12 GB and go up from there. Viasat Liberty monthly plans start at $50 for 12 GB, $75 a month for 25 GB, $100 for 50 GB, and $150 per month for unlimited gigabytes. If you want the fastest satellite internet, go with the unlimited GB plan.

Your area may have Unlimited Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum monthly plans available. These plans start at $70 per month for 12 Mbps, $100 for 25 Mbps, $150 for 30 to 100 Mbps, and so forth. 100 Mbps is the fastest satellite internet speed available from Viasat; however, it's not available in all service areas.

With Viasat, you can expect video streaming speeds ranging from 360p to 1080p. Optimal streaming speeds will depend on your monthly plan of choice. Video streaming speeds increase with each monthly plan tier.

Optimize Your Viasat Experience

Viasat offers additional products to optimize your satellite internet experience. You can bundle your internet service with DirectTV to enjoy the full satellite entertainment experience. There's also an option to add a home landline at a fraction of the cost. A priority customer care package is also available at an additional cost.

To get the most bang for your buck, take advantage of Viasat's current deals and specials. However, these specials are available for a limited time only. These deals may apply to the first six months of service only. After the offer expires, you may be required to pay the regular monthly cost.

Viasat Options for Business Owners

Are you a small business owner? You can't compete without reliable internet. Like residential internet plans, your satellite business internet choices depend on your location.

One popular plan is the Business Unlimited 35. For $175 per month, your business will receive internet speeds of up to 35 Mbps. This plan also comes with unlimited streaming and data.

You can also choose from one of Viasat's Business Metered broadband plans. These plans are ideal for businesses that only require low data usage for continuity purposes, backups, and secure SD-WAN connections.

There are three Business Metered plans: Business Metered 1 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB, 50 GB, and 200 GB. Plans start at $50 per month for 1 GB of high-speed data, $80 a month for 10 GB worth of data, $100 for 20 GB, $150 for 50 GB, and $400 for 200 GB of internet data.

Viasat goes a step further in offering VoIP capabilities for businesses. A VoIP-based phone system can help you save money on business communication expenses. You'll need to purchase the additional ATA hardware if you don't already have the wireless modem with built-in VoIP.

You can also optimize your business communication with Viasat's Business Voice. For a small additional cost, you get unlimited business calls to anywhere in the U.S. and Mexico. You also enjoy a more flexible business phone service in the cloud.

Business internet hotspots are also available from Viasat. A business hotspot plan typically starts at $40 per month. Hotspots let you provide secure wireless internet to guests and customers. You can set up customer login credentials and apply your own web content filters.

Discover the Right Viasat Satellite Internet Solution for You

Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or business owner, you need a reliable internet solution. Discover the benefits of the best satellite internet for entertainment, working from home, and business continuity.

Need more resources to make your decision? Ready to order an internet service right now? Check out the latest internet reviews or contact us now to connect with the best ISP in your area.   

What to Look for in an Internet Service Provider When Working From Home

With Coronavirus changing the way we work and live, more and more employers have been allowing their employees to work remotely as it leads to improved efficiency among the workforce and prevents the spread of this crazy virus. Moreover, it enables them to attract top talent, reduce their operating costs, and offer better wages to their employees.

Working remotely also allows employees to cut down their traveling time and to work in the comfort of their home, enabling them to balance their personal and work life more effectively. Also, travel right now is a scary prospect so the more we can practice social distancing and still be productive and make money, the better.  

If you have the flexibility to work remotely, or given the current circumstances have just been granted the ability to work from home, it’s important that you have a solid internet connection to stay connected with your office and clients, and deliver your work in a timely manner.  Aside from having a solid internet connection, you also want to make sure that you have the speed and meet the requirements of your companies network.

Reliability

A disruptive or unreliable internet connection can hamper your productivity and cause difficulties while performing collaborative work.

Furthermore, if you’re working in a real-time environment, it’s critical that you always remain connected to your workplace’s servers to ensure that your progress is getting saved in the database. There is nothing worse than working on something for any period of time only to find out your were disconnected and your work was lost.  Moreover, you must make sure that you choose from the best internet packages to avoid packet loss. You can use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi to maintain a zero percent packet loss and maintain a better latency rate.  This of course is assuming your router is accessible with a cord and not buried deep in your closet like mine, which would make running a cable to my office nearly impossible.  Google mesh or a good wifi extender can be an easy fix if you need optimal speed but logistically can’t make a wired connection possible.  

Speed

The faster your internet connection, the better your productivity and performance. When working from home, you are likely to work with files that are large in size, quantity, or both. Thus, you’ll require a fast internet connection and transfer speeds to download the files and upload your finished project.  In today’s world most internet providers like AT&T internet , Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, CenturyLink  and various others entry packages usually have enough speed to handle most people’s download and upload needs.  

Furthermore, if you’re required to communicate with your team or clients via video calls, you’ll need a good connection quality to maintain effective correspondence. If you experience distortion in audio or poor video quality, you may consider choosing better packages from top internet service providers in your area.  AT&T for instance offers gigabit speed so you can get crystal clear video and sound while still accomplishing your other task online.  

Network Capacity

Working from home certainly has it’s challenges especially if you and your children are not able to attend work or school due to precautions being taken for prevention of the coronavirus spread.  That being said, you want to make sure that your internet service can handle several users at the same time.  For instance, as I am typing this article, my oldest son is streaming SpongeBob while my wife in on a video conference in another room.  We have a 300mbps package from Spectrum that allows us all to do what we have to do online without any one of our activities interruption connectivity of the other.  In order to make sure you have enough network capacity for your tasks, make sure you have a good wifi router ( I use Net Gears Nighthawk) and enough bandwidth to make everyone happy. 

Pricing

Ideally, you want a reliable internet connection without breaking the bank. Remember, the faster the internet connection, the costlier your internet package will be. Therefore, it’s important that you identify your internet needs to ensure that you choose an internet plan that fits your requirements.  Recent studies have shown that the average cost for an internet and television bundle is over $200.  With employers asking their employees to work from home, you should look into if your workplace is willing to supplement some of the cost.

Remember as stated above, if you’re dealing with bulky files such as high-resolution photos, videos, and other heavy files, you’ll need a sufficient amount of bandwidth to download them all. Additionally, if you have to video chat with your clients, you need a fast and stable internet connection to converse without it hindering your communication.

Thus, you should search for the best internet deals available in the market that offers value for money internet solution to meet your internet needs. 

Final Words

These are  some of the key aspects you must consider when beginning your telecommuting journey.

There are over 2700 internet service providers available across the United States, each offering various types of high-speed internet services at a range of speeds to both residential and business customers. Konecteaze.com helps you navigate the available internet service providers in your area and helps answer the question, “Who has the best internet deals?”, “Who has the best internet service?, and “Which internet providers are available in my area?”

At Konecteaze, our mission is to help you compare the top internet service providers in the US. We help you sort through every service provider in your area to help you feel confident that you are receiving the best internet deal while also getting the right service to help you work from home 

For more details, you can contact us at 888-376-0753 or visit our website

Internet Service Providers Update for April 2020

Updated: 04/16/20 11:18 am

Spectrum Goes Down Again

In what is seemingly now a regular occurrence, Charter Spectrum internet service went down Friday evening affecting areas from Hatteras to Corolla on the Outer Banks.   When asked about the cause of the outage, Spectrum stated that they were still unaware of the cause or when service might be restored.  Given most Americans are now practicing social distancing which means more time at home and online, this could not have happened a a worse time.  Customers in the Outer Banks may be wondering, what other service options exist and shouting at their Alexa or Siri “internet providers near me”.  To find the answer to that question one need look no further than Konecteaze.com to find the answer and the best deals in your area on internet, tv, phone and home security services.  

FCC Ask Internet Service Providers To Help Consumers Amid Coronavirus disruption

In an unprecedented move, 69 internet service providers have pledged that for the next 60 days they will not disconnect any of their customers if they are not able to pay their bill.  This move is in response to the economic strain that the Covid-19 ( Coronavirus) pandemic may place on Americans.  Given the fact that social distancing is the new norm, we can only assume that social media nearing will take place which means internet activity will surge.   

FCC’s “Keep Americans Connected Pledge” has several major goals which include

·       Loosen data caps

·       Waive any overage fees or long distance fees for phone service

·       Prioritize bandwidth of health providers and hospitals

·       Expanding the reach of internet based physicians also known as telemedicine

·       Enhancing ‘Lifeline” which is the FCC’s programmed focused on making sure low-income Americans have access to fast, reliable internet service.

·       Not terminate residential or small business customers service due to non-payment for at least 60 days.  

·       Open up public Wifi service so that customers will not have to pay to use internet service in public 

Although this pledge seems promising and many ISP’s have chosen to participate, many have not yet made any moves which could prove to be a big mistake when customers nowadays have more internet options than ever before.  

Below you will find a full list of internet providers that have chosen to abide by the pledge that the FCC put forth: 

ACIRA – Powered by Farmers Mutual Telephone Company & Federated Telephone, Allstream Business US, Altice USA which is commonly known as Suddenlink, Antietam Broadband, Atlantic Broadband which services much of the southeast, AT&T, BBT, BOYCOM Vision, Burlington, Spectrum Telecom, Cable One, Central Arkansas Telephone Cooperative, CenturyLink, Charter, Cincinnati Bell, Citizens Connected, Comcast, Consolidated Communications, Cox Communications, Digital West, East Ascension Telephone Company, Education Networks of America, Emery Telecom, Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, FirstLight, Frontier, Google Fiber, Grande Communications, Granite Telecommunications, Great Plains Communications, GWI, Hiawatha Broadband, Hill Country, IdeaTek Telcom, Inteliquent, Lafourche Telephone Company, Lakeland Communications, Long Lines Broadband, Mammoth Networks/Visionary Broadband, Mediacom, MetTel, Nex-Tech, Ninestar Connect, Northwest Fiber, Orbitel Communications, Pioneer Communications, Premier Communications, Range Telephone Cooperative, RCN, Reserve Telephone Company, Sacred Wind Communications, Shawnee Communications, Socket Telecom, Sonic, Sprint, Starry, TDS Telecom, TelNet Worldwide, T-Mobile, TracFone Wireless, Uniti Fiber, US Cellular, Vast Broadband, Verizon, Vyve Broadband Investments, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, Wave Broadband, West Telecom Services, Windstream, and ZenFi Networks.

As the list grows, we will be sure to update it.

Comcast Hotspots Will be Free

Along with pausing all data caps on their services, Comcast Xfinity wifi will now be available across the country for free to anyone who wants to access it.  Here is a link to their map to find out if there is a hotspot near you Xfinity Wifi Map

The Average Cable Bill is Now Over $200

In a report put out by Decisiondata.org, the average cable bill is now a whopping $217 dollars.  This bill represents bundled services for both cable tv and internet.  What makes this stat most surprising is that the introductory offer most customers received when starting service with their cable provider was probably half of that or less.  This is a major reason why many consumers are cutting the cord.  Don’t just run and pick up a pair of scissors just yet, when you cut cable and add a bunch of streaming services your bill could potentially be equal or higher.  The best thing to do is figure out which programming options you can’t live without and subscribe to those services.  Most Americans are finding a mix of a light cable package along with one or two streaming services does the trick.  

Cable Companies Aren’t Alone in Providing Relief

In yet another move to help with customers impacted by the strain on our economy due to the coronavirus, it looks like Gas and Electricity companies are following suit and holding off on any disconnects of their service for non-payment.  For more information on rates and availability of service providers, head over to TexasElectricityRatingsto find the best deals and service in your area.