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DEFINITION: "BroadBand" is a general term to describe Internet service that's faster than dial-up over copper land line (56Kbps). Following is a brief description of the typical BroadBand services available.
 
  - ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subsciber Line is a form of DSL that enables faster data transfer than dial-up over copper telephone lines. ADSL is limited by the electronic length (Loop Line Length) between your "gateway" MoDem or router and the provider's Central Office (CO) equipment. Max length is generally 17,500 feet but could be longer in some cases. Reliable speed depends on the Loop Line Length - Some providers may advertise speed as "Up To" 3Mbps down load. Your actual speed could be 1.5Mbps if the Loop Line Length is less than 15,000 feet. ($20 - $35 per month)

  - SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subsciber Line) is older and slower than ADSL but is rock solid and a good choice for small businesses who may have a Loop Line Length longer than 17,500 feet. It uses a pair of copper wires that may or may not belong to your telephone company. (About $70 per month)

  - IDSL is a hybrid of ISDN and DSL technology that uses a little of each to deliver a service that is slightly faster than ISDN, but significantly slower than most DSL services. A business might opt for IDSL if standard ADSL or SDSL service is not available in the area. It uses two pair of wires and also has the same speed up and down which is typically limited to 144Kbps but in some cases can be reliable at 284Kbps. ($90 - $150 per month)

  - Standard ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) service uses existing copper telephone lines to deliver data transfer speeds up to 128 kilobits per second (kbps). It also provides voice channels for telephone and fax, making it superior to standard dial-up, which cannot share an Internet connection with a telephone or external fax machine.

  - Naked DSL (or Dry-Loop DSL) is a relatively new approach to older technology at a very affordable price for the end user. Some companies are offering this type of DSL as a low-cost service because of the reduced demand for other landline services. (Where available, about $20 per month)

  - Cable Internet: Fast, reliable but expensive. This service is usually bundled with TV and VoIP telephone service for about $90 per month - more if you subscribe to other options. Speed may be advertised as 30Mbps but is often "throttled" to about 3Mbps. (Separate from TV - $50 to $70 per month)

  - FiOS (Fiber Optic Service) - Regardless of what you hear FiOS cannot offer 50Mbps speed downloading from the Internet yet - But it's still lightning fast and with tiers of service from 10Mbps to 30Mbps (download). Verizon is currently the largest provider - ($30 - $70 per month)

  - BPL (Broadband over Power Line) & PLCM (Power Line Communication Modem): An AWESOME technology that uses a MoDem or "gateway" router that simply plugs into your standard electrical outlet and works. Not available everywhere - where available can be less than $50 per month.

  - AirCard (Cellular BroadBand) - Most cellular phone providers offer this service for about $60 per month. It requires a MoDem plugged into your computer via either USB or PCMCIA and can be used anywhere the provider has cellular broadband service. There are also a handful of "Pay In Advance" or "Pay As You Go" providers to include Virgin Mobile and Cricket. Prices range from limited service for $10 to unlimited service for about $40 per period. You will purchase a Cellular MoDem (AirCard) which is essentially a cell phone (no voice) for between $50 and $100.

  - Satellite Internet Access - Offered by most Satellite TV providers and pricing is similar to bundles offered by Cable Internet providers. Personally, I would recommend this service only if you are in a very rural area and nothing else is available. Weather conditions cause lots of dropped connections - Speed is reasonable when you are connected, but service is even more sensitive to weather conditions than Satellite TV service.

  - Other services such as T1/E1 Integrated Access are not detailed here because they are very expensive and suitable only for large businesses.