Different Internet Options: FiOS, DSL and Dial-up

The main differences among FiOS, DSL and Dial-up Internet are the download and upload speeds, which indicate how fast information gets from the World Wide Web to the computer. For example, with FiOS, downloading a movie may take 10 minutes. With DSL, that same movie may take a half an hour to an hour. With dial-up, the movie could require the entire day to download. Speed is measured in kilobits per second or megabits per second. One megabit equals 1,024 kilobits, so 1 Mbps is 1,000 times faster than 1 Kbps. Therefore, a 56 Kbps download connection speed for dial-up is substantially slower a 15 Mbps download connection speed for FiOS.

FiOS, or Fiber to the Premises (FTTP), is a fiber optic Internet service that provides download speeds ranging from 15 to 150 Mbps and download speeds from 5 to 35 Mbps. According to PC Magazine's Lance Ulanoff, "Fiber offers speeds that beat cable and make DSL look like dialup." Verizon offers fiber optic Internet service that can include no contract or a one-year or two-year contract, online file backup and sharing, 10 email accounts and professional technical support and installation. System requirements vary for Mac and PC users. At the time of publication, Verizon offers FiOS for monthly rates between $65 and $200 with contract commitments, excluding installation and equipment fees.

DSL uses the telephone line's copper pair wiring to connect to the Internet. While dial-up operates through the audio voice spectrum, DSL frequencies go a step above and allow DSL modems to read more information, with download speeds at 1.5 to 9 Mbps and upload speeds from 16 to 640 Kbps. These speeds can vary based on the user's distance from the provider. DSL users purchase a cable modem and plug a USB cord into the computer, which gives the computer an "always on" Internet connection. DSL Internet plans are provided by many Internet companies, and plans can be purchased for monthly prices between $20 to $50 at the time of publication.

Dial-up Internet was the first connection type used and features download speeds of 56 Kbps. The same telephone cord you use for the phone connects the computer to the Internet, so users will not be able to speak on the phone and use Internet unless two phone lines are purchased. Dial-up connections operate on the voice audio spectrum, which creates the connection noise characteristic of dial-up. Dial-up is an option for people living in rural areas outside of the service zones of faster Internet types. Packages can be purchased for $10 to $26 per month from many providers.