When it comes to cable TV, high speed Internet services and local phone service, the marketplace is fueled by heavy advertising and fierce competition and it doesn’t go unnoticed.    Along with several other providers, Comcast, Verizon and Time Warner Cable consistently find themselves in the Top 10 as listed in the National Cable & Telecommunications Association’s  Top 25 Multichannel Video Programming Distributors list.

So how do  Comcast, Verizon and Time Warner Cable rank in the Top 10?  Subrscribers.

The NCTA uses “basic video subscribers” to determine who tops the list in the industry.  Basically, the more subscribers you have, the higher you rank.  And as of March 2010, Comcast, Verizon and Time Warner Cable ranked #1, #8, and #4, respectively.  To see how your local cbale comany stacks up against the rest, check out the National Cable & Telecommunications Association’s  Top 25 Multichannel Video Programming Distributors list.

Finding DSL high speed Internet providers “in my area” can be as simple as calling up your local phone company.  Of course, how do you know the phone company is offering exactly what you need?  You compare DSL plans and prices before you get connected.

Using your current Internet service, you can find DSL high speed Internet providers “in my area” by entering your address in the “Savings Widget” at the top of the page.  Your address will determine which DSL providers actually run lines to your house.  From there, you can compare plans and prices, or even new providers, to decide which plan would fit best with your home and family.

If you do not currently have Internet service, you can always call 1-866-224-5506 to discuss your options with one of our trained Home Services Consultants.  Their job is to help you make an informed decision on all of your home services.

Are you one of the many folks wondering, “Can I get AT&T U-Verse in my area?”  It looks like there may be good news for you and your neighbors.

According to an article by Todd Spangler from Multichannel News, AT&T is using “line bonding” to increase the availability of its U-Verse DSL high speed Internet and entertainment packages.  By pairing two copper wires together U-verse’s reach can extend anywhere between 1,000 and 2,000 feet into your neighborhood.   Those extra feet define your service area, because, according to Spangler, the DSL only “has a useful range of around 3,000 feet from the video-ready access devices (VRADs) that are the fiber-fed nodes in the U-verse network.”

The combination of line bonding and new U-verse buildouts should help AT&T pass the 30 million mark for homes using the U-Verse DSL high speed Internet service by the end of 2011.  If you were out of reach in years past, by the end of 2011 you may very well able to turn that question into a statement – “I can get AT&T U-Verse in my area!”

As high speed Internet providers wrap that globe in fiber optic cable, it pays to remind ourselves not to repeat the past.  Remember, it’s only been ten years since the I LOVE YOU worm crippled computers. In 2004, MyDoom made the news. Computer viruses and worms haven’t made the front page as much recently, but that doesn’t mean we can relax. It was only last year, that the Conficker virus infected an estimated 10 million computers and Gumbler began wrecking havoc as well.

With the near constant growth of high speed Internet services, we do more and more on the web.  Consequently, the opportunities provided by high speed Internet services also provides more opportunities for a virus to find you.  Sharing music, files or photos; visiting an infected Web site; opening spam email or an email attachment; and downloading free games, toolbars, media players and other system utilities can transmit a virus. These are all things that we do everyday, so it pays to be somewhat cautious.  Take notice if your Internet speed slows,  and keep your anti-virus software updated. And, make sure it’s turned on! Back-up your computer so you have a clean copy of your data if your computer is infected.

As a reminder to why you need to be vigilant, note that even less harmful computer viruses can disrupt your system’s performance by sapping memory, causing frequent crashes and slowing down your high speed Internet. The most serious viruses will damage programs, delete files, or reformat the hard drive. Others simply replicate themselves or flood a network with traffic, making it impossible to perform any web-based activity.

To be sure, there are pros and cons to having high speed Internet services.  With high speed DSL or broadband, you can truly unleash the power of your computer and the web.  Just remember to be vigilant so you don’t unleash anything else.

How many of you are considering switching Internet companies?  Maybe you’re moving.  Maybe you’ve decided to embrace the faster download times.  Or maybe you’re just considering a new Internet provider.  Whatever the reason, you’ve undoubtedly found yourself asking, “What are the high speed Internet providers in my area?”

It’s a reasonable question.  Internet providers can vary greatly based on location.  Just because you or our friend had Comcast high speed Internet in one area doesn’t mean you can get Comcast a few blocks over.  However, the cable Internet or DSL service areas are broad, covering a good sized metro area with only one major brand.  The only real problem you may face is serviceability.  What if cable lines don’t run to your neighborhood?  What if you’re too far from the DSL node to carry a signal?  You may find yourself thinking, “Will there ever be high speed Internet providers in my area?”

Again, it’s not an unreasonable question.  Some rural areas seem destined to be forever sidestepped by cable and DSL providers.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t get high speed access.  Think about it.  Do you have cable TV?  If not, you probably enjoy satellite television, right?  You could also get Internet access from the same place.  Your satellite TV providers could very well be your satellite Internet providers, although it may mean a separate dish.

Whether you’re looking for satellite Internet, broadband or high speed DSL, just enter your address in the “Savings Widget” above.  You’ll see which companies service your area.  you can compare plans and prices and make the best decision for your needs.

If you use your cell phone for all calls, you may be wondering what the options are for Internet service without a phone line. Here are some solutions to consider if you’re thinking about dropping your phone line.

1. Use cable Internet (available through most cable TV providers). The Internet signal will run through a cable hook up to your home, and will require a modem, usually supplied by the cable company, to connect the cable to your computer or the wireless router. The “Savings Widget” above will not only summarize the cable Internet providers available at your address, but can also compare promotions and bundle options that are available.
2. Order satellite Internet. While the technology is similar to satellite TV, the two services can not share a dish. The dish also has to be installed with an unobstructed view facing south.
3. Try mobile broadband (aka, an Air card).  Mobile broadband allows you to have Internet access without a phone using the wireless network. These USB modems and PC cards, which plug into your computer, connect to the standard cellular network (3G or 4G for optimum speed). However, they have the same limitations as other cell devices regarding inconsistent coverage in enclosed, underground or remote locations. Wireless carriers offer numerous plans and pricing ranging from monthly fees to daily pre-paid access. Also take into consideration the carrier’s coverage as it relates to where you’ll be accessing the Internet with the card. If you have spotty cell phone coverage at your house, you’ll also have spotty Internet access with mobile broadband.

If you decide to go this route, and you have several wireless devices, look into an Intelligent Mobile Hotspot that taps into the cellular network and allows several wi-fi enabled devices to connect at one time.

4. Try stand-alone DSL.  Some ISPs have created a service known as “dry loop”, also known as “naked DSL” or “stand-alone DSL”, to allow consumers access to high speed Internet without a phone line. This technology runs through your existing phones wires, but you don’t need a home phone to use it. However, not all DSL providers offer stand-alone DSL and pricing varies depending on speed and current promotions. This option for Internet without a phone is evolving, so check plans and pricing using the “Savings Widget” above.
5. Visit Wi-fi hotspots. Grab your laptop and log-in at the thousands of wireless hotspots. Many are free, though some have policies as to how long you can remain online. Websites that allow you to enter your zip code for a list of nearby wi-fi locations include wi-fihotspotlist.com, hotspothaven.com, wi-fifreespot.com, and openwifispots.com.

If you use your cell phone for all calls, you may be wondering what the options are for Internet service without a phone line. Here are some solutions to consider if you’re thinking about dropping your phone line.

1. Use cable Internet, available through most cable TV providers. The Internet signal will run through a cable hook up to your home, and will require a modem, usually supplied by the cable company, to connect the cable to your computer or the wireless router. Allconnect.com can not only summarize the cable Internet providers available at your address, but can also compare promotions and bundle options that are available.
2. Order satellite Internet. While the technology is similar to satellite TV, the two services can not share a dish. The dish has to be installed with an unobstructed view facing south. Allconnect.com can provide a summary of plans that are available for your address as well as any bundle options.
3. Air cards aka as mobile broadband, allow you to have Internet without a phone by using the wireless network. These USB modems and PC cards, which plug into your computer, connect to the standard cellular network. However, they have the same limitations as other cell devices regarding inconsistent coverage in enclosed, underground or remote locations. Wireless carriers offer numerous plans and pricing ranging from monthly fees to daily pre-paid access. Also take into consideration the carrier’s coverage as it relates to where you’ll be accessing the Internet with the card. If you have spotty cell phone coverage at your house, you’ll also have spotty Internet access with an air card.

If you decide to go this route and you have several wireless devices, look into an Intelligent Mobile Hotspot that taps into the cellular network and allows several wi-fi enabled devices to connect at one time.

4. DSL Internet providers have created a service known as “dry loop,” “naked DSL” or “stand-alone” to allow consumers to use DSL Internet service without a phone line. This technology runs through existing phones wires, and you do not need to subscribe to phone line service to use it. However, not all DSL providers offer it and pricing varies depending on speed and current promotions. This option for Internet without a phone is evolving, so check plans and pricing under DSL Internet at Allconnect for the latest.
5. Wi-fi hotspots. Grab your laptop and log-in at the thousands of wireless hotspots. Many are free, though some have policies as to how long you can remain online. Websites that allow you to enter your zip code for a list of nearby wi-fi locations include wi-fihotspotlist.com, hotspothaven.com, wi-fifreespot.com, and openwifispots.com.