Looking for dial-up internet service providers?

Not when you’re logged in. Dial-up internet uses the phone line while you’re online, preventing you from sending or receiving phone calls. You can, however, use your phone when not using your internet service.

Both transmit data via phone lines, but DSL uses a Digital Subscriber Line, which allows for more data to flow and doesn’t tie up the phone line. DSL does share many of the benefits of dial-up internet, such as availability and price.

Dial-up internet can offer speeds up to around 56 kilobits per second (Kbps). Most internet providers measure speed by Megabits per second (Mbps), which are equivalent to 1,000 Kbps. 56 Kbps equals 0.056 Mbps, which is many times slower than speeds you’ll get with other types of internet.

Not likely. The speeds you get with dial-up internet aren’t fast enough for an enjoyable experience. A dial-up connection can, however, give you enough speed to download music as long as you download songs one at a time.

No. While there are a few ways to get internet without a phone line, dial-up internet is not one of them. A phone line is required to have access to dial-up internet.

That’s the sound of your dial-up modem connecting with the network. The first few sounds you hear are the dial tone and dialing. Once your modem makes a connection, the remaining sounds you hear are your modem communicating with the network to determine connection quality and speeds.