Local Internet Providers Offer Fast Services in Your Home

Local Internet providers today are offering more features and faster speeds than ever. There are various ways that local Internet providers can get you hooked up to the Internet. You can get dial-up, cable, DSL or satellite.

A fifth option, mobile, is becoming more and more popular. It lets you access the Internet on-the-go. If you need fast 4G Internet wherever you go, be sure to look for a local Internet provider that offers great mobile services.

Choosing your local Internet provider

It can be difficult choosing a local Internet provider. There are many providers out there, and they all offer great services. You’ll want to take the following into consideration:

• Whether you want dial-up, DSL, cable, satellite or mobile.
• Where you live. Some services, like DSL aren’t available everywhere. Furthermore, if you’re in an urban area, satellite Internet is probably not your best option.
• What your usage habits are. If you need access to the Internet outside your home, for example, you’ll want mobile Internet.

Choosing a local Internet provider doesn’t have to be stressful. Read on for more information on your options.

Internet service companies: AT&T®

AT&T is a well-known name in telecom and has recently made huge strides in wireless and wired Internet. You can get AT&T DSL service, or you can go with AT&T U-verse®. AT&T U-verse is like XFINITY and FiOS from Comcast and Verizon. It’s AT&T’s bundled Internet, TV and telephone services. You can install U-verse yourself or opt for professional installation.

One benefit of AT&T U-verse high speed Internet is that it doesn’t require a contract. However, you could end up paying more because contracts are usually price-reducing deals. Typically speaking, the longer the contract you get from a local Internet provider, the cheaper your monthly bill will be.

Learn more about AT&T Internet.

Internet service companies: Charter®

Charter was named the “Fastest ISP in the Nation” by PC magazine in 2011. As with the other local Internet providers, you can bundle TV and phone service with your Internet.

You can also get the Charter Security Suite®. The Charter Security Suite® will give you:

• Parental controls.
• Protection on up to three computers.
• Automatic security updates.

You can also get Charter.net, a customized home page, and PowerBoost®, a burst-in-speed feature similar to Cox.

Learn more about Charter Internet.

Local Internet service providers: CLEAR®

CLEAR is a leader in mobile Internet and 4G technology. In fact, CLEAR built the country’s first 4G network. This network extends to over 80 U.S. cities. CLEAR 4G will give you speeds equivalent to DSL and cable.

When using CLEAR mobile Internet, you can video conference on-the-go and work at the airport. You can get a USB modem for quick, “plug and play” access to the 4G network.

In addition to mobile Internet, CLEAR offers home Internet packages. Instead of having to schedule an installation, CLEAR simply ships you your equipment overnight. Just plug it in and you’re on your way to a fast Internet connection.

Learn more about CLEAR Internet service.

Local Internet providers: Comcast®

Comcast is a trusted local Internet provider. As one of the largest telecommunication companies, Comcast offers multiple services.

Comcast brands its TV, Internet and voice services as XFINITY. Comcast highlights its XFINITY® Double Play and XFINITY® Triple Play packages the most. The Double Play combines TV and Internet. The Triple Play combines TV, Internet and phone service.

Learn more about Comcast Internet.

Local Internet service providers: Cox®

Cox has a long history of providing cable and Internet services to more than 6 million customers. Cox offers a unique Internet feature called PowerBoostTM. PowerBoostTM will give you a temporary boost in speed when you need it — when extra bandwidth is available. In some cases, you could see a 29% increase in speed. This is useful if you’re doing something important during peak hours — usually nights or weekends. It should be noted, however, that PowerBoostTM isn’t available for all Cox customers. You have to subscribe to a certain package in order to get this capability.

Learn more about Cox Internet.

Local Internet providers: HughesNet Gen4

Hughes is a satellite communications provider, and invented satellite Internet more than 40 years ago. Hughes has translated those decades of experience into HughesNet Gen4 satellite Internet service. Providing America’s #1 choice for satellite Internet is just the beginning of what Hughes has to offer. HughesNet Gen4, the 4^th-generation satellite Internet service, is 15 times faster than before. HughesNet Gen4 plans are also available in any state in the continental U.S.

HughesNet Gen4 plans are differentiated by a few key features, mostly speed and data capacity. Upload and download speeds increase with the more expensive plans, as does data capacity. Data capacity simply refers to the volume of online tasks you can complete.  

A satellite Internet connection is possible because of a network of satellites and operations centers. When you type in a URL, it has to be located and sent back to you before it shows up on your computer screen. The satellite dish at your home sends a signal to the Hughes satellite in space, which then relays that signal to the Hughes Network Operations Center. There, the information you requested is located and sent back to you through the same path it originated from. Although it may seem like a process, it only takes seconds.

Local Internet providers: Time Warner®

Time Warner is another popular local Internet provider. Although the company is widely known for its television service, Time Warner is also a reliable Internet provider.

Broadband Internet from Time Warner can be bundled with TV and phone services, like most local Internet providers. Similar to Comcast, Time Warner offers a Double Play and Triple Play.

Learn more about Time Warner Internet.

Local Internet providers: Verizon

Verizon is another big name in telecom. Verizon has made recent strides to the top in both 4G technology and mobile phones. In early 2011, Verizon started offering service on the iPhone®. Shortly before this, Verizon unveiled its 4G LTE network.

When it comes to in-home Verizon Internet, you’ll likely hear about a service called FiOS. Like Comcast’s XFINITY, FiOS is Verizon’s version of bundled Internet, TV and phone service. FiOS uses fiber-optic technology, which sends pulses of light through an optical fiber cable. Although copper wiring is still reliable and fast, fiber optic is viewed more as a “new age” technology.

Verizon FiOS isn’t available everywhere, but has high customer satisfaction rates among the customers who currently subscribe. FiOS is widespread in the northeast, but not as widespread elsewhere. As with most local Internet providers, you can bundle multiple services for better deals.

Learn more about Verizon Internet.