But since it's based on the coaxial cables of the cable-TV world instead of the copper wires of the phone world, you don't tie up a phone line when connected. So if you currently have two phone lines because of your Internet use, you may be able to save money by cutting back to one phone line. Third, you must use your cable company as your Internet service provider. But you can optionally maintain an account with your current provider and collect your e-mail from it over your new cable connection. Fourth, unlike conventional ISPs, you may be able to connect only one PC per account without violating your service agreement and risking the loss of your account.
Policies vary by cable company.
If you're in an office that's not currently wired for cable TV, you may find yourself waiting a long time for cable access to the Internet. Sixth, some cable companies in some areas provide only one-way cable Internet service. Data is downloaded to your PC through a fast coaxial cable, but you still need to tie up a phone line to upload data at relatively slow speed. Seventh, other competing high-speed Internet technologies are on the horizon or available today. The most talked about is DSL, which phone companies should begin rolling out within a year.