Most people are thinking should I get cable or should I get DSL? Well in reality there are many advantages to both plans. The same goes for Verizon Online DSL among the many DSL providers. With so many choices it's best to start with the basics.

Cable Vs. DSL

For residential customers who have access to cable lines, a cable modem tends to be the fastest connection available, and it comes at the lowest price. A normal residential cable connection will cost anywhere from $44.99 and up. Recently Comcast of Michigan has announced its intention to enter the commercial business by offering commercial internet access for $99.95. This connection sports download speeds which are twice the speeds for residential cable.

Although cable is the industry leader when it comes to high speed internet connections. There are many unique advantages for obtaining DSL.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) offers digital connections with better online security. The way a cable connection works is that it taps into a cable network which is shared by your whole neighborhood. This cable network is fragile when it comes to hacking since there is a sharing of connections on the network. Recently Comcast (May 2002) was issued a cease and assist order after a whistleblower told the attorney general that Comcast was monitoring their clients. This is not very easy with a DSL connection since they are all unique digital connections. But, the drawbacks to DSL are clear. Number one it is more expensive. You will pay $49.99 a month for a high speed DSL connection, but it still won't be as fast as an cable connection. But if you don't have cable lines then DSL is the plan for you. But, remember you phone connection must have copper lines. Copper lines are the only supported DSL lines for most carriers. Direcway (through Directv is the only holdout). Direcway offers Satellite DSL for its customers through many resellers (including Directv).

A Closer Look at Verizon DSL

The Verizon DSL package offers many discernable advantages. For one they give you the DSL modem for free. If you keep the service for one full year, then the modem is yours even if you cancel your service.

When you invest in a Verizon DSL plan you'll receive 10mb of free webspace to do launch a webpage or host pictures/videos for your family. Also, you will receive 4 email addresses, unlimited DSL access (unlimited hours), and comprehensive 24/7 live support.

The drawbacks for Verizon Online DSL are: you have to pay $59.95 for the same package offered by Directv (only $49.95), you only get 4 email addresses where most other ISPs give you 5-7. Also you are not provided with dial-up access (when you go on vacation/business trip).

But Verizon does offer a 30-day money back guarantee which is not offered by most DSL providers and 1 month free if you order online. Note: For the $59.95 plan,  same as $49.95 plan offered by Directv, there is no introductory rate, but you will receive the first month free if you order in July 2002 (online).

The $49.95 plan is offered at an introductory rate of $29.95/month for the first three months. The only stipulation for this plan is that it runs at half the speed of leading competitors in this price range. But the reliabilty of the connection is much better than its competitors. Most notably Directv has switched over to a Verizon infrastructure in respect to their DSL clients. Verizon is the largest wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 125 million access line equivalents and approximately 28 million wireless customers. Remember it might take one week to receive your free installation kit.

Click here to get your first month of DSL for free