Does AOL Offer DSL?

by Sampson Quain, Demand Media

AOL offers DSL service to some locations in the United States.

Chad Baker/Photodisc/Getty Images

AOL Inc. is an Internet communication company that, among other services, offers instant messaging, email, and a search engine. AOL also provides broadband service, which lets you access the Internet with high-speed connectivity either through cable television or through your phone line, which is known as a digital subscriber line or DSL. AOL's high-speed Internet is provided through a third-party, which offers high-speed DSL or cable service depending on where you live.

AT&T; DSL Direct Pro

One of the third-party DSL providers is AT&T;'s DSL Direct Pro, which offers download speeds of as many as 3 Mbps, ideal for games, social networking, photo-sharing, music downloads and home networking. This service does not require you to subscribe to AT&T;'s local phone service, but gives you free access to the company's national Wi-Fi network and 11 email accounts.

Clear and EarthLink

Clear high-speed cable Internet is another third-party provider affiliated with AOL. Clear offers several packages, including a 4G Home Basic service with a download speed of 1.5 Mbps, and a 4G Home service with a download speed of as many as 6 Mbps. All Clear packages also offer two free email accounts. EarthLink cable high-speed Internet provides free firewall software protection, eight email accounts with 100MB of storage, and download speeds of as many as 3000 Kbps.

U-verse High-Speed Internet Packages

AOL also contracts with AT&T; U-verse's high-speed cable Internet services, which offer five options: Pro, Express, Elite, Max and Max Plus. U-verse Pro (3 Mbps), U-verse Express (1.5 Mbps), U-verse Elite (6 Mbps), U-verse Max (12 Mbps) and U-verse Max Plus (18 Mbps) allow yo to connect as many as 10 wired or wireless computers to the Internet at the same time. They also provide 11 email addresses and access to AT&T;'s national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost.

Sprint and Verizon

Sprint and Verizon are two other companies that contract with AOL, offering mobile broadband Internet services. Sprint offers 3G and 4G wireless modems with downloads speeds between 600 Kpbs and 1.4 Mbps. The modems are shaped like flash drives, which you plug into your computer's USB port to browse the Internet and check email. Verizon's 4GB USB modem offers download speeds between 600 Kbps and 1.4 Mbps that lets you download movies and pictures on the go.

References

  • AOL: AOL Broadband
  • Digital Landing: AT&T;
  • Digital Landing: Clear
  • Digital Landing: Mobile Internet
  • AOL: How Do I Get Broadband?

Resources

  • AOL: Can I Use AOL with Broadband?

About the Author

Sampson Quain is a screenwriter and filmmaker who began writing in 1996. He has sold feature and television scripts to a variety of studios and networks including Columbia, HBO, NBC, Paramount and Lionsgate. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from the University of Southern California.

Photo Credits

  • Chad Baker/Photodisc/Getty Images