In addition to the larger phone companies, private firms are joining the DSL fray now that the FCC has given them permission to share existing phone lines. While these firms are delivering faster speeds than their larger rivals, their rates and equipment charges are double and sometimes triple. Unfortunately, consumers find out only after opening the box whether their skills are up to the task of installing an internal modem and configuring their PC, as well as loading at least five CDs' worth of software. Cable modem Cable modems have their own problems. But security concerns remain.
More traffic requires more cable loops, which takes time and money.
That may seem an extravagance today, but in the next few years, that monthly broadband bill is expected to become as widely accepted as the cable or phone bills. Satellite For homes not yet reached by DSL and cable modem, satellite is the best alternative. But Hughes Satellite Network's DirecPC system is the only player, for now, and its service is more costly and slower than DSL or cable. That means users are on a meter and must watch the clock. Your PC can download files at speeds near 600 kbps.