| Getting a broadband connection is a much simpler | | | | asking about their small business pricing plans. For |
| process than it was a decade ago. However, | | | | example, a recent check of fees found the |
| there are still some questions you should ask your | | | | residential broadband package was $60 a month; |
| provider to get the broadband configuration that | | | | small business was $23 per month in the Midwest; |
| suits your needs. Some of these are specific to a | | | | the setup fee was $10 more, and the small |
| type of broadband (DSL, Fiber to the Home, | | | | business package had about 50% higher |
| Cable Modem), others are a bit more general. | | | | bandwidth. |
| Is there a bandwidth cap? If so, how is it | | | | Is there a bundle deal, or package deal? Many |
| implemented? More and more broadband | | | | companies try to add services to the contract, |
| companies are following Comcast's lead and | | | | and create package deals; cable broadband is |
| charging customers extra per megabyte of | | | | renowned for this, adding premium cable channels, |
| downloads after a certain threshold has been met. | | | | voice over IP telephony, and digital movies on |
| In the context of internet service, this is the | | | | demand, in an attempt to rope in customers. |
| functional equivalent of paying a nickel per text | | | | Before you leap to sign that bundle deal, ask |
| message on your cell phone after your minutes | | | | yourself if you're going to use all the services |
| have run out - it can result in some pretty | | | | provided, and how often you'll use them. A'la |
| impressive overage charges. That said, these | | | | carte may be more expensive per option, but |
| types of charges are being watched very closely | | | | less expensive overall. |
| by the FCC. | | | | What sort of broadband is available? If you're |
| Is there a differential between upload speed and | | | | lucky, there are competing broadband providers, |
| download speed? For most residential broadband | | | | with both cable modems and DSL connections |
| setups, the answer to this is 'yes'. And for most | | | | available. Competition brings prices down and |
| residential customers, the difference is negligible. | | | | inspires the companies to put more effort into |
| However, if you're doing something with a home | | | | winning customers over; after all, once you're set |
| based business where you need to send files or | | | | up, for the most part, you're a constant revenue |
| host files regularly on your own equipment, this is | | | | stream for them. It's only when there's a single |
| a question that bears some consideration; Fiber to | | | | broadband access provider that pricing gets into |
| the Home is usually the best bet if this is a | | | | ludicrous ranges. |
| concern for you. | | | | If you live in an area where 4G wireless is feasible |
| Is there a home based business package? Many | | | | (Such as Baltimore), you may want to look into |
| broadband providers offer both business | | | | getting wireless broadband as an option; it's |
| packages and residential packages. Surprisingly, a | | | | convenient, and much simpler than setting up |
| lot of the business packages are cheaper for | | | | broadband in your home. That said, it also has all |
| broadband than residential packages are, and give | | | | the problems of a wireless connection and signal |
| better download speeds. The flip side is that the | | | | attenuation. If it works, it's likely to work well. If it |
| setup fee may be a bit higher. Even so, it's worth | | | | doesn't... |