Dial-up is dead, move on to high speed Internet service

Impossibly cheap? Logging on once a day to send two e-mails? You might be able to get away with a free Internet service account, but it seems likely that even starting to use the web will only engender more intense use best served by high speed Internet service. Yet most dial-up accounts now offer comparatively high-speed experiences at half or less the cost of a DSL line. You could always upgrade from free Internet service later if need be.

I recommend: Among the better-known national dial-up providers are NetZero, Earthlink, and AT&T. Most will try quickly to up-sell you into a faster DSL account, but it's a start.

Cable Internet service vs. DSL for business

What's heavier, a pound of feathers or a pound of lead? Of course, they are the same -- one pound. Same thing happens when comparing DSL and cable Internet service for home or business. Cable likes to claim its Internet service is faster, but it's fairer to say that maximum speeds in a cable system are higher, but no faster when compared apples to apples. A 3 Mbps bandwidth rating will act basically the same regardless of how it comes into your home or office. You get what you pay for.

I recommend: Take a look at business DSL Internet service from Verizon, XO Communications and Earthlink. Popular high speed Internet service cable providers include Comcast, Charter, Time Warner and Cox.

When satellite Internet service makes sense

Loving your satellite dish for TV programming? Well, you can get the web using that or a similar dish on your roof. Do a close analysis of cost, though, since a bundled dish with Internet service isn't a big enough seller yet for volume discount pricing. However, if you live in the boonies, it might be the best and, perhaps, only good choice for high speed Internet service.

I recommend: Some big vendors of satellite Internet service include HughesNet, DirecTV and DishNetwork.

Wireless Internet service: broadband, Wi-Fi and coming Wi-Max

Wi-Fi "hotspots," those airport lounge and coffee shop Internet zones, were first to take off, but high speed Internet service via cellular broadband using plug-in cards in laptops is catching up, and Wi-Max -- a variety of Wi-Fi that extends over miles -- is likely to become standard in large cities soon.

I recommend: T-Mobile and Boingo are big Wi-Fi providers of wireless Internet service. Find a hotspot near you on Ji-Wire. Verizon, Sprint/Nextel and AT&T offer mobile, wireless Internet service via cellular networks. Clearwire is among the first to offer Wi-Max in the United States.