| n a decade, it is likely that analog modems will | | | | professional customer support staff. Every |
| become a memory. Each year, high-speed | | | | broadband carrier experiences occasional outages. |
| internet access penetrates a larger segment of | | | | Having access to trained technicians who can |
| the market. More people than ever are leaving | | | | answer your questions will prove valuable. Also, |
| behind their slower connections and upgrading to | | | | you may eventually have questions regarding |
| DSL or cable services for the homes. To be sure, | | | | upgrades, billing, or security measures taken by |
| there are a number of advantages to doing so. | | | | the provider. You might need someone to walk |
| Faster throughput, a continuous, dedicated | | | | you through the process of installing and |
| connection, and limitless surfing makes the | | | | configuring your firewall. Your broadband provider's |
| decision an easy one. | | | | customer support staff is a vital component for |
| In this article, we'll describe the most important | | | | enjoying an a seamless experience. |
| factors to consider when making the transition | | | | Bundling Services |
| from dial-up to broadband, or from cable to DSL. | | | | Many companies that provide high-speed internet |
| We'll discuss speed and connectivity issues, | | | | access are now offering to bundle other services |
| customer support, and service bundling. | | | | for their customers. It's not uncommon for these |
| Speed And Connectivity | | | | companies to bundle DirecTV and residential |
| If you only intend to use your residential online | | | | telephone service with broadband access. The |
| access to check email and read news stories, | | | | advantage is that the cost of the bundled |
| speed will not be an issue. On the other hand, if | | | | package is usually far lower than the combined |
| you plan to take full advantage of your internet | | | | cost of each service ordered individually. What's |
| connection to download music and movies, play | | | | more, bundling reduces the number of vendor |
| games, and watch videos, you'll want a fast | | | | relationships you'll need to maintain. |
| datastream. Ask the provider to clarify their | | | | A lot of people consider connection speed as the |
| upload and download throughput. DSL can support | | | | most important barometer with which to |
| a download transfer rate that exceeds 8 Mbps, | | | | measure a broadband provider. In truth, there are |
| but few DSL providers can actually match that | | | | several factors to consider. The data transfer |
| rate. | | | | rate is important, of course. But, so too, is |
| Also, ask the broadband carrier about any | | | | connectivity. Having access to a trained customer |
| connectivity issues that it has experienced during | | | | support staff is also valuable. And if you have the |
| the last year. Doing so can help you avoid | | | | opportunity to bundle multiple products, you may |
| headaches in the future. For example, a cable pipe | | | | be able to reduce your monthly cost. |
| can suffer connectivity problems if the network | | | | Identifying a high-speed internet service provider |
| becomes overloaded from excess traffic during | | | | that meets your needs requires doing a little |
| peak times. That can lead to persistent outages. | | | | research. But, you'll be rewarded with an internet |
| It also implies the infrastructure is under stress. | | | | connection that you and your family can rely |
| Customer Support | | | | upon. |
| Don't underestimate the importance of a reliable, | | | | |