Your internet connection provider is one of your major links to the world. The world of websites and information is so vast these days that most people cannot live without it. People use the internet to pay bills, do banking, shop, keep in touch with out of town relatives, plan vacations, and just about anything else. Without your internet connection provider then you would not be able to do all of these things and more.

When trying to choose an internet connection provider, it is best to choose one with a proven record of good service and customer satisfaction. Good service should include fast connections and fewer disruptions in your service. Customer service will include your billing, payment, and service options.

A good internet connection provider will offer many different payment plans, like debit or credit cards and check by phone. They will not tie you to a contract, but allow you to terminate service if it does not meet your needs with a 30 day notice with no penalty fees. They will also offer a 24/7 customer service line that gives quality responses in a fair amount of time.

It is a good idea to visit websites of different internet connection providers to see which ones seem to meet your needs and wants. Look at their web pages to see if they are professional. What does each provider offer with their account? Price does not dictate whether or not you will have a great internet connection provider. Cheaper prices may give you a cheaper connection with more disconnections and disruptions. Call the customer service department to ask them some questions concerning their internet service. This will give you more of an idea of what they are like. Are they professional and answer your questions quickly and without hesitation? Or do they act like you are asking for the moon?

How often are you going to be using your internet connection? If you are only going to use it periodically then you may want to look into a reduced plan that only covers so many hours a month. If you are on it daily, then you will most likely need an unlimited plan.

Choosing the right internet connection provider can mean the difference between speedy and consistent connections and irritating and maddening disconnections. Do your research and the right internet connection provider will move to the top of your list!

Learn the essential information for picking the right Internet Service Provider at NetZero 3G

Small businesses, home-based businesses, and self-employed individuals have been turning to internet telephone service (also called broadband phone or VOIP) in droves. What is the attraction? As a self-employed, telecommuting, small-business-owning freelance writer, I can provide some insight.

I switched my business to internet phones early in 2005. Despite a few hiccups, I’m not going back to landlines. Internet phone service has too many advantages, which I’ll describe for you. I also have some tips for avoiding possible rough patches.

VOIP Internet Phone Small Business and SOHO Advantages

VOIP Advantage No. 1: Look bigger.

• If your small business has to seem large, a virtual PBX with a dial-by-name directory might help. These systems cost thousands to install. But many VOIP companies let you rent this service for less than a hundred dollars a month.
• Give each member of your team their own outside line. With most VOIP companies, each line costs around $10.
• Get one or more 1-800 numbers at around $10/month.

VOIP Advantage No 2. Freedom of movement.

• Freedom to travel. When I went to Sacramento to visit a friend, I ended up extending my stay to a whole month. I couldn’t have done that without regular phone access. With VOIP, my Massachusetts number follows me wherever I go.
• Tropical adventures. I regularly work with a virtual assistant company that takes phone calls on their Quebec phone number everyday. That wouldn’t be so strange except they’re in the Philippines. They’re using the same small business VOIP phone service sold right here in North America. True, VOIP companies don’t generally guarantee their services will work outside the country of purchase. But the internet is the internet, whether in Fargo or the South Pacific. With the growth of broadband to virtually every non-pariah nation on earth, your second office really could be in a tropical paradise–or year-round ski resort. Isn’t that the freedom you hoped being your own boss would bring?
• Telecommuting. Feel a cold coming? Work from home! With VOIP, even the receptionist may be able to telecommute!
• Voicemail by email. You don’t have to be by the phone to get voicemail. This is the perfect service for busy people and email addicts. Bonus: the message (in a file similar those used on MP3 players) can be stored indefinitely.

Internet Phone Advantage 3. Cost

• Make lots of calls? Many VOIP providers’ unlimited-calling plans cost just $20 to $80 a month.
• Features such as call waiting, caller ID, hold, call forwarding, and multiple ring-to numbers are usually costly extras with landline service. With most VOIP services, those are built-in features.

SOHO VOIP: Tips for Making it Work for Your Business

SOHO VOIP Tip 1. Test internet phoning out before committing.

Yes, some VOIP connections are so scratchy and patchy they sound like cell phones. That’s usually because of a problem in the internet connection. Such problems may not be apparent in ordinary web browsing and file downloading. Go with a service that has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try VOIP out where you live and work. Make sure to try inbound and outbound calls.

Small Business Internet Phone Tip 2. Phoning from a laptop.

With VOIP telephones, you don’t need a computer. But you can use your computer as a phone. A piece of software called a “softphone” uses your computer’s speakers and microphone. If your laptop is running too many programs at once, calls will deteriorate. Higher-end laptops shouldn’t have this problem.

SOHO Internet Phones Tip 3. Go with an established VOIP company.

You don’t want to lose your telephone service and possibly your number. Yet only a few VOIP companies have roots before 2000. Choose a service with deep enough roots to survive a VOIP industry shake-out.

Small Biz Internet Phoning Tip 4. Choose a provider carefully before putting the number on your business cards.

Switching VOIP companies is at least as much of a pain as switching landline phone companies. In fact, there is typically no outward number-portability. You can bring a number in, but good luck taking it with you. Researching in early 2005, I found no nationwide VOIP services officially offering outward number portability.

Choose a VOIP provider with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Test the service out thoroughly. One thing is likely: you may want to switch VOIP providers, but you won’t want to go back to landline.

Joel Walsh, freelance writer and small business owner, recommends you check out Packet8, an established provider of: VOIP: http://www.packet8.net

In February 2006 D-Link, a well known router company, and Kyocera, a well known cell phone products manufacturer, launched a product that will revolutionize how trade show exhibitors will gain access to broadband Internet access.

In most cases exhibitors didn’t have many options when it came to Internet access at trade shows, in fact there was really only one. You either rented it from the show production company or went without. At some shows the daily access rate was $500 or more. Now there is an option. In the past year wireless access through cellular phone systems has increased at a staggering rate and that access is now available in a format that can be shared by multiple users.

The technology is called EVDO and this is what cellular carriers Verizon Wireless and Sprint use to distribute a wireless broadband signal to its subscribers. A typical setup includes an account with one of these providers, a laptop and an access card that plugs into the PC card slot or PCMCIA Slot. This setup is fine if only one user wanted access, but what if you wanted to create a wired or wireless network?

This is where the “revolution” takes place…the EVDO router. This router, available at Kyocera and at D-Link in the near future, enable you to take the access card and share it via a wired or wireless access. Similar technologies existed before this router came out, but they weren’t billed as affordable options. The Kyocera EVDO Router has a street price of $250 – $300. These are the items you will need in order to use this technology.

Internet Access Account – $60-$100 per month* – Verizon Wireless or Sprint
EVDO PC Card – $50-$200**
EVDO Router – $250-$300***
Total – $1740-$2900 – based on 24 Months of Service

*see service provider’s websites for details and offers.
**see service provider’s websites for details and offers.
***see hardware provider’s websites for details and offers.

Currently, most service providers require you to sign a 24 month contract for both a phone and Internet access to get their lowest rate so please check to see if service (Verizon Coverage, Sprint Coverage) and what plans are available in your area. The total cost of 24 months of service and hardware can be equal to what one company pays for access at one show so you can see the incredible value. You also have the use of a technology that enables you to have access to the Internet 24/7/365 without the need of any wires.

When EVDO is coupled with state-of-the-art portable batteries then the technology can be used in ways never imagined. Imagine strapping on a framed camping backpack that has a portable battery, laptop, and an EVDO card plugged into the EVDO router. Also plugged into the router is a web-cam that has been attached to a helmet that is on your head. You now have a wireless, portable, go anywhere webcasting solution. Couple this setup with a wireless bluetooth headset that plugs into an EVDO phone (specialized phone that can be used with the router) and now you can provide interactive tours of the show floor with two-way communication that is broadcast back to a website. Other uses include POS systems and credit card authorization systems.

The way I see it, EVDO will not only save thousands of exhibitors’ money but it has created a new level of connectivity for our industry. It will also be used to create a whole new category of trade show experiences and for me that is the most exciting part!

Evan D. Owen, President, http://www.smashhitdisplays.com
Founded in 2003, A Smash Hit! Trade Show Displays is a leading Internet distributor of trade show display, booth, and exhibit products primarily servicing North America. As a wholesaler we can offer display products at half the price as local suppliers. We offer full graphics design, printing and can work on displays as small as tabletop units to larger island style displays.

A long-standing question for potential VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) consumers is “How much bandwidth does a VoIP phone require to make quality telephone calls?”

First of all, Bandwidth is defined as the ability to transfer data (such as a VoIP telephone call) from one point to another in a fixed amount of time. The higher the bandwidth speed you have, the more data you can send over your Broadband Internet connection.

There are two types of bandwidth at your location: upload bandwidth and download bandwidth. The Upload Bandwidth is the amount of data you can send to the Internet and download bandwidth is the amount of data you can receive from the Internet. The more Internet bandwidth you have from your ISP (Internet Service Provider) the better.

In most cases, the normal VoIP telephone call will use up 90 Kbps (kilobits per second). If you have a Broadband Internet service provider that doesn’t offer much bandwidth then most VoIP providers give you the option to lower the VoIP voice quality by lowering the bandwidth used for VoIP calls to 60 Kbps or, to really conserve your bandwidth, 30 Kbps. Most people can’t tell the difference between the three settings. We suggest you use the high sound quality setting (90 Kpbs in most cases), if bandwidth is not an issue. High VoIP voice quality is generally the default setting but if you are running into a situation where your bandwidth is limited then you can adjust your VoIP bandwidth to one of the lower settings. Some consumers with 128 Kbps upload connections can receive less VoIP service quality due to a poor quality ISP (Internet Service Provider). By selecting a lower quality VoIP bandwidth setting, this problem can be avoided.

If you plan on using a VoIP service provider, should you get a DSL or a Cable Internet access provider? In general, DSL upload bandwidth starts at 128k where as Cable Internet upload bandwidth starts at around 600k. Cable Internet is a little bit more expensive, but it is also about 4-5 times faster than residential DSL and a bit friendlier to a VoIP telephone call. Having said that, both DSL and cable modem high-speed services provide sufficient broadband Internet access bandwidth to support any of the top VoIP service providers. If you are experiencing low Broadband Internet Service provider bandwidth, we suggest you try Packet8 VoIP. Packet8 VoIP boasts an advanced compression technology in which each active voice line uses approximately only 23Kbps of total data throughput, upstream and downstream.

The amount of bandwidth that a VoIP provider requires to make a quality telephone call is only one thing to consider when choosing a VoIP service provider. In fact, there are many things to consider when choosing a VoIP provider. An educated consumer generally results in a satisfied consumer.

Please see VoIP things to consider article (http://www.voipchoices.com/voip-considerations.html) to find a list of more things to consider when choosing a VoIP provider. You can also compare VoIP providers side-by-side by price and features at www.VoIPChoices.com

Chris Landry is the foremost authority on residential and small business VoIP providers. Chris is the founder of http://www.VoIPChoices.com. Chris has prequalified several high-quality VoIP providers and compares them by price and features at http://www.VoIPChoices.com

Chris can be reach via email at Chris@VoIPChoices.com.

Installing Multiple Wireless Access Points

1. Install one wireless Access Point to test range

2. Assign each wireless access point a unique IP address

3. Each wireless access point will have the Same SSID

4. All wireless access points will have the same encryption key

5. Point wireless antennas towards the center of the network

1. Finding your Wireless Range – Wireless access points will have a range of about 75-100ft inside, and outside (depending on your wireless antenna) miles. If you live in an older brick home your wireless signal range can be greatly reduced.. To find your wireless signal range and signal strength you will need to install one wireless access point in the middle of your work area and measure the signal. You can use a program called netstumbler to help you with this task. Once you have achived the necessary wireless signal overlap then you will be able to roam through out your work or business. Your wireless adapter software will choose the access point with the strongest signal but this will be transparent to the user

2. Unique IP -Next you will want to assign all your AP’s with a unique IP address not a dynamic IP address. Do not use the same IP adderess for each AP.

3. Configure AP’s – Configuring two or three wireleess access point is not very hard but when you have to configure more than that it can become time consuming. Thus some wireless routers will come with software that will allow you to configure one access point which will then configure all of your other access point for you.

4. Same SSID – Use the same SSID for each access point on your network. This will give you the ability to roam with out having to choose each network when you move.

5. Encryption /AuthenticationWireless Antennas – Choose which type of antenna you will need. Try to purchase directional antennas instead of using the default omni-directional antennas. Directional antennas will funnel your wireless signal towards your operational areas.

7. Placement – Try not to place your AP by outer walls. If you need to place your AP buy outside walls then try to use a reflector. This will help your signal stay inside your house as much as possible.

Join the most popular wireless networking newsletter on the internet at http://www.wirelessninja.com . Get the inside scoop on wireless communication for the home and work place.

Business DSL (digital subscriber line or digital subscriber loop)
is a high-speed, broadband internet connection that is
specifically intended for company networks.

Many individuals and businesses are realizing the benefits of DSL
which is a technology that enables high-speed transfers of
information via the internet over standard copper telephone
lines.

The advantages of DSL are many. For one, you can use it to
transfer data, voice or video straight through your phone lines
without interrupting the ability to make and receive phone calls.

DSL is very different from dial-up services that use telephone
lines because of the ability to use the internet and the
telephone at the same time, and because DSL service is always on
and you don’t have to dial-up at all to access the internet.

DSL services are advantageous for businesses who are interested
in automated data storage because with the stability and the
high-quality internet connection that Business DSL provides, a
company can link its network with networks at remote locations or
branches.

This feature enables the central storing of data, documents and
information so that employees in other locations can access the
most up-to-date versions of the data at any time.

Centralization of data can be a very important aspect of
automating business functions.

The speed and capacity of DSL also improves efficiency and
productivity which can actually save a company money while
increasing its overall effectiveness.

Uploading and downloading of data are processes that benefit
greatly from the improved timeliness of access that comes from
using a Business DSL connection.

The installation of DLS is cost-effective because there is no
need for extensive infrastructure upgrades which can be very
costly.

Very little equipment is needed for DSL services and it runs with
standard phone lines, so there is no need to install new phone
lines.

In fact, DSL was designed to work on standard copper lines that
are generally used by phone companies, so it will not work with
fiber-optic lines. Business DSL is also extremely easy to use,
so there is not need for training end-users beyond their learning
to use the internet.

There are not many disadvantages to using DSL services. At
present, the biggest disadvantage is probably the availability of
DSL services.

Because DSL is sensitive to distance, it is simply not available
to internet users who are not in a sufficient geographical range
from the DSL provider.

DSL broadband services are generally made available in
metropolitan areas in the city limits, even in small towns, but
in rural areas it is not always available as an alternative for
internet service.

There are different types of DSL technology with varying
bandwidth capabilities and the availability of each type varies
from area to area.

The main types of DSL service include the ISDN Digital Subscriber
Line (IDSL), the Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), the
Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), the Rate Adaptive
Digital Subscriber Line (RADSL), and the High Data Rate Digital
Subscriber Line/Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL/SDSL).

These options have various features and benefits. So, when you
look into getting DSL, make sure to let your service provider
know how you will be using it and find out about the different
options that they have for DSL services in your area.

If there are various options available, review them with an open
mind considering both your current future needs in regard to
internet connectivity and data access and transmittal.

A cost-benefit analysis which considers the long-term benefits of
increased productivity due to improved speed and capacity coupled
with the convenience of DSL is sure to convince you that Business
DSL is well worth its cost.

Reviewing your operations including your short-term and long-term
needs will help you to select the best DSL option for your
business.

Copyright Christopher J. Enders. Are you at the end of your rope,
fed up and confused by all the scrambled internet marketing
advice you’re getting? Whether you are new to internet marketing,
or a website owner who wants to make more money from your
website, learn the proven strategies that will sky-rocket your
internet business at http://BiznessTips.com.

Most if not all wireless access points and wireless routers come with the standard omni -directional rubber duck wireless antenna. Omnidirectional antennas used in the wrong situations are such a waste of money and can be a secuirity risk. Directional antennas can be used to focus your signal where it’s needed.

Reasons to use a directional antenna:

1. Save money- Long hallways are common in office buildings. Don’t try to use the defualt Ominidirectional antennas on a long hallway. You will have to purchase more equipment to extend the bubble of coverage. One directioal antenna with a 60 degree focused signal would be able to extend your coverage area twice as far

2. Security- When your wireless signal bleeds outside your operational area you will attract hackers, crackers, leeches, wardrivers and social engineers. The higher the DBI on the antenna the more focused your signal is, so if you have an 8dbi antenna your probably looking at a 60 degree cove or signal comming from your antenna. A 14dbi antenna might have a 30 degree focused signal that might not provide the width of coverage you need and it might send your signal to far.

3. Less Equipment – Cut down on your epuipment that you have to install and manage

4. Shoot Signals around corners – Take an access point, two panel directional antennas and a signal splitter ( The splitter will allow you to hook two antennas to one access point). Now you can mount the directional antennas on a corner mount, shooting the signal down two hallways at onced. This solution is very common and will save you money.

5. Distance – Omnidirectional antennas usally have half their signal wasted by walls. Directional antennas don’t have that waste they focus their signal in one direction thus extending your signal much farther that an Omni. There are two different types of directional antennas: directional and highly directional.

6. Smaller Profile – Omnidirectional antennas are hard to blend into an office enviroment or building. They stick out like a sore thumb and advertise your wireless network to everyone. Directional antennas like the panel type have a smaller profile and often look like lights or smoke detectors.

This articles purpose isn’t saying that there isn’t a purpose for omnidirectional antennas. What I”m saying is that most people don’t even think of changing their antennas after purchasing their wireless router or access point. My next article will discuss the advantages of combining directional antennas and Omnidirectional antennas

Join the most popular wireless networking newsletter on the internet http://www.wirelessninja.com If you are looking for some directional antennas to boost your signal try these out http://wirelessninja.com/?page_id=9

You’ve probably heard the story of a young man who designed
a new computer operating system, and was turned down by IBM
for the first rights. That would be Bill Gates, of course.

And did you know that when Marconi, the inventor of Radio,
offered the rights to that new technology to the Italian
Government in 1894, they turned him down? You see, the new
device was only capable of sending a signal a short distance
at that time, and was eclipsed by the more popular
telephone. No one though it would amount to anything.

Of course today, Microsoft is, well, Microsoft. And Wireless
Radio technology has spawned everything from Television to
Cellular phones, and is still changing the way we
communicate and do business over 100 years later.

These are examples of Disruptive Technologies. Wikipedia
defines disruptive technologies as:

“A disruptive technology is a new technological innovation,
product, or service that eventually overturns the existing
dominant technology in the market, despite the fact that the
disruptive technology is both radically different from the
leading technology and that it often initially performs
worse than the leading technology according to existing
measures of performance. A disruptive technology comes to
dominate an existing market by either filling a role in a
new market that the older technology could not fill (as more
expensive, lower capacity but smaller-sized hard disks did
for newly developed notebook computers in the 1980s) or by
successively moving up-market through performance
improvements until finally displacing the market incumbents
(as digital photography has come to replace film
photography)”.

A thing to note is that disruptive technologies are not
disruptive to customers, and often take a long time before
they are significantly disruptive to other service providers
or manufacturers, so they are often difficult to recognize.
Indeed, as studies have shown, it is quite common for
incumbent companies to ignore disruptive technologies, since
they often compare badly to existing approaches, and the
initial markets for a disruptive technology are often very
small compared to the main existing market for the incumbent
technology.

Even if a disruptive technology is recognized, existing
businesses are often reluctant to take advantage of it,
since it would involve competing with their existing (and
more profitable) technological approach.

This situation exists today with VOIP Communications
Technology. VOIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol,
and is rapidly overtaking the traditional Voice Market.
Several years ago, when most Internet Connections were Dial-
Up, this technology didn’t stand a chance against
established phone services. However, with the Worldwide
proliferation today of High-Speed wired and wireless
networks (note: another use of Radio technology), this
obstacle is being rapidly eroded.

About the Author:

Glenn R. Grundberg is a Master Electrician and Low-Voltage
and Communications Expert Certified by BICSI and several
Major Hardware Manufacturers. Mr. Grundberg writes on a
variety of subjects, and Consults on Major Construction
Projects Worldwide. Mr. Grundberg also Sits on several
Codes and Standards Commitees Including the NFPA 72 for
Fire Alarms. Mr. Grundberg is also an Internet Marketer
specializing in Affiliate Products and Programs,
including Top, Innovative MLM Opportunities.

To Sign up for our newsletter or courses, please visit
http://www.theaffiliatebusinessreview.com

What is the best way for me to go about getting high speed internet in my house? I searched on line and through the yellow pages, only to find that there are an uncountable number of high speed internet options out there. However, as I sifted through all of the consumer sites and user reviews, I found that SBC DSL may, indeed, be the best bet for bringing high speed internet to my home office.

According to many a review, SBC DSL is the most reliable DSL service out there. They also happen to be the largest in many major metropolitan areas in the country, or at least those serviced by Southwestern Bell. SBC DSL has a spectacular reputation among consumers for having technologically advanced products, great customer service, and good competitive prices on their service. The only drawback I could find is that several SBC DSL customers found setting up a home network to be difficult. However, by simply converting to wireless internet, you can solve that problem and still have your SBC DSL connection all over your home.

A big advantage of SBC DSL is that in most cases you can get a free modem and setup. Setup can be one of the more frustrating parts of getting high speed internet, especially if you are not technically savvy. Many companies charge a setup fee, so that savings alone can make SBC DSL attractive to you. Installation can be difficult, and there is charge for that. However, if you do it yourself they waive the fee and you will still have access to the very knowledgeable and helpful SBC DSL customer service representatives.

Many high speed and DSL internet companies will not be willing to give you a firm date as to when you can get your connection taken care of. That is another way that SBC DSL is different. Once you place an order you are given an installation date, which is as a general rule about six business days out from when you call. Such convenience and up front commitment from a company makes it easier for you to arrange your schedule around setup and installation plenty of time in advance without fear that you will have to make more last minute changes to your busy schedule.

There are a ton of high speed internet options out there today. There are cable internet, DSL companies, wireless internet over cell phone signals, and even high speed dial up connections. Each one tells you that it is the best for converting your office or home to high speed internet connection. Which, though, is the best? That is hard to say definitively as prices and services vary by area, but the one with the best reputation around is SBC DSL. By offering friendly representatives, good competitive pricing, and commitment to service, SBC DSL is a model high speed internet service. They will allow you to go to high speed without the worry of setup, installation, and whether or not you will be able to get in touch with someone the next time you have a problem with the service. That peace of mind is as valuable as anything else.

If you would like the latest information on high speed internet, or find more of my personal articles like the one you just read, visit my computing site.

VoIP is said to be the technology of the future because it allows us to do things that were impossible just five years ago. Now, instead of having a public telephone network the VoIP technology allows you to use your broadband connection to make telephone calls. What’s great about this is that you can use the phones you have always used; you just get to combine two services into one.

The VoIP technology works if you have a broadband connect and a device called a router. The router enables your phone to call just like it always has, but now it’s over the broadband digital connection instead of through a conventional phone line. In addition to a router there is a VoIP gateway that connects you to a voice over network so that your voice can be converted into a digital sound instead of through the analog technology of the past. Information is basically sent in packets across broadband lines to give a great sound and seamless connection to those who have VoIP service and even those who do not. VoIP really is a revolution in combining internet access and telephone service because it utilizes the same technology for two very different things.

The VoIP is great because now you can have just one bill that allows you to have phone access as well as broadband service. Luckily, most companies can even allow you to be online at the same time as you’re on the phone. There really aren’t any limitations to the VoIP service and in the future it will only get easier. In the coming years digital phones will be made so that each consumer won’t have to have a router, and VoIP service will probably be more common than those who have a public telephone network. If you already have a broadband connection you should definitely consider a VoIP phone connection because it’s most cost efficient, it’s practical, and it really is the way telephone and internet service is going!

Laura Rupert is a freelance writer who contributes to The Tech FAQ.