With the ever growing number of internet
access methods, how do you know which connection service is the right
one for you? As a consumer you have to do your homework. Do
you require fast constant access or can you get by with a dial-up on
demand connection? Do you need to purchase an additional phone
line? Which is cheaper, an additional phone line or and ISDN line
with POTS capabilities?

Well to answer these questions you first
have to look at the currently available Internet Connection
methods. There are several general categories of access including
POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), ISDN (Integrated Services Digital
Network), T1/Frame Relay, xDSL (Digital Subscriber Line), and
Cable Modems. The most common issues for comparison of these
services will be connection speed, pricing of services and equipment,
and availability. POTS, ISDN, and T1/Frame Relay are the most
widely available services however POTS(56Kbps) and ISDN(128Kbps) offer
the lowest connection speeds and although T1(1.5Mbps) can provide the
speed it is cost prohibitive for most home users. Cable Modems and
xDSL are emerging as high speed, low cost alternatives although the
widespread availability of these services remains an issue.