the Cost of DSL Internet Access

I subscribe to DSL Internet service a pay a monthly fee of $32.95 per month (before taxes), with no contract. This includes unlimited browsing as well as email and web page space. I do not, however, use the web page space. I have what is considered to be the “medium” speed package at 1.5 MB per second. It is advertised as being 25 times faster than dial up. The company I am with offers two faster levels at 3MB and 6 MB per second. It also includes a free Wi-Fi package allowing free access at Starbucks and Barnes and Noble locations. Additional Wi-Fi packages with more access are available for a fee. The DSL modem was free after a $75 rebate. This is a rather common rebate program.

I use my service not only for personal use, but also for online college courses and my husband has used it to access company networks. We have used it to upload and download photos and are pleased with the speed that most projects take. The one complaint I have is related to the times that the connection seems to freeze up or stall. I receive more “page cannot be found errors” due to lost connection than I would like. This most often happens when I have several browser pages open. The problem is rectified my unplugging the wireless router and DSL box and rebooting. I do not know if this is an issue with my router or with the network.

DSL and other Internet packages are often less expensive when subscribed to under one provider. For example, if you subscribe to your service from the same company that also provides your home, cellular and cable or satellite television service you will often receive a discount.