So you?re in the market for getting a broadband connection and are a bit confused on which to choose. Whether you?re upgrading from a slow dial-up connection or are new the Internet as a whole, going with broadband is definitely the way to go.

For many consumers, the three main broadband options are DSL, cable, and fiber optic. Each of these offers a great boost in speed over the typical dial up connection, but their differences can affect what kind of service and internet experience you might have.

DSL is basic broadband available to most households, as it is provided by your telephone company. If you’re not close to the telephone company service station, you might not be able to get it. The price is low, usually from $15 to $30 per month, and is perfect for the consumer looking to have cheap access to broadband.

Cable broadband is an option run by your local cable television service and provides a middle tier of broadband options. The price is higher than DSL, ranging from $25 to over $500 per month for business access, but offers a faster speed than most DSL packages.

Cable broadband has the distinct advantage of being more widely available, as you can get the service so long as the cable company can also provide you television service. If you listen to online streams, play games online, or have multiple internet users in your home, a cable connection would be the way to go.

A new technology making waves in broadband is fiber optic service. Starting with Verizon’s FiOS, fiber optics have become a great broadband option. However, limited fiber network installation nationally have resulted in this service being absent from many markets.

Bandwidth is by the far the greatest of the three, and there is more potential for network growth. Prices range from $30 - $200 depending on the package you choose. For those people with 3+ computers and are highly ?connected?, run websites, or upload/download a lot of content, this is your best choice.

As with all purchases you make, check all of the local providers’ websites or contact them directly and see what packages are available in your area. Be aware, too, that bundling your services like television and telephone along with the broadband connection through one company can save you more in the long run.

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