DSL Internet Providers Guide

A DSL signal degrades as it travels through the copper wires. Because of this, the best DSL service is within a three-mile radius of a provider's access point. While service is available up to an 18,000-foot radius, service in the outer region may be slower or less reliable. Begin your comparison by determining which services have an access point near you and find out how far away the access point is.

Improved technologies have increased DSL's maximum download speeds to up to 6 Mbps and upload speeds as high as 768 Kbps. Find out what each company's maximum speeds are so you can make a determination on which company provides the best speed for the price. Keep in mind that most companies provide several tiers of service with different upload and download speeds. If speed is a concern for you, be sure to compare each company's fastest option.

When determining which service offers the lowest cost, you'll need to consider three different costs: monthly service fee, equipment cost and installation fees. Many companies have started offering free installation services and free equipment to attract customers. Rebates or cash back options are also frequently offered, so check out any promotions being offered in your area. Another way providers attract customers is to offer a low introductory price for six months to a year. While this may be an attractive price, keep in mind it will go up in the future.

Most people do not really consider customer service when selecting services such as DSL, but when their service goes down, they expect it to be fixed promptly. Ideally you want a company that provides 24-hour live tech support seven days a week so that if you have a problem on a Sunday afternoon or a late Tuesday night you can call and get help. Some providers may only offer live support during normal business hours or rely mainly on web support, so make sure you're aware of how to get help before you sign up.