Guide to Internet Service in Northern New Hampshire

Types of Internet Service

This report was prepared with information from the following web sites:

www.howstuffworks.com
www.broadbandreports.com
www.ncia.net
www.verizon.com
www.earthlink.net
www.faqs.org

I. Dialup

II. DSL

III. Cable Modem

IV. ISDN

V. Satellite

VI. Wireless

VII. T1

1. Dialup

How it works
Your computer's modem dials a phone number, it connects to a computer at your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and data is exchanged over the connection.

How fast is it?
Not very. Theoretically, a 56k modem can download data at a rate of 53.3 kilobytes per second (KBPS) and upload at 28 KBPS but this is far from the norm. Often, data transfer rates hover around 30-50 KBPS upload and 10-20 KBPS download.

How much does it cost?
Varies widely. Some services offer free dialup access if the customer uses fewer than a certain number of hours each month (usually 10). Typically, unlimited Internet access costs approximately $15/month or more, depending on what other services are provided by the ISP, such as web-page hosting, additional e-mail accounts, etc.

Advantages:

Uses technology most people already have
Relatively inexpensive
Available almost everywhere

Disadvantages:

Speed is much slower than other options. Many types of content (Internet radio, games, downloading big files) are not accessible.
Service is sometimes unreliable -- customers often get disconnected from their ISP.
Ties up a phone line, and/or requires the use of a second line for Internet

Local info:
Click here for links to all dial-up ISPs available in New Hampshire. ISP’s have come and gone over the last four years. As of Winter 2003 these are the leading ISP’s in North Country/Lakes Region providing 56 KBPS dial up service: Worldpath.net, Localnet.com, G4 Communications, NCIA, Earthlink, Worldsurfer, and ASPI.

2. xDSL, also known as "Digital Subscriber Line"

How it works (from http://www.howstuffworks.com/):
xDSL is a high-speed connection that uses the same wires as a regular telephone line. The "x" refers to the fact that there are many different kinds of DSL, the most common being ADSL (Asymmetric DSL.) Most homes and small business users are connected to an ADSL line, which works by using "free space" on telephone wires to transmit data. The regular phone line connects to a DSL modem (which can either be leased from the DSL company or purchased from a computer store) which then connects to the computer, usually via an Ethernet card (the plug on the back of a computer that looks like an enlarged phone jack).

Synchronous DSL (SDSL) is the second most common type of xDSL and is used most often by businesses. ("Synchronous" means that the upload and download speeds are the same, and this speed is usually guaranteed by the DSL provider, which is not the case with ADSL.) SDSL is limited to 18,000 feet from the office of the company providing the service. SDSL also offers static IP addresses, which means that it's possible to host a web page, e-mail server and provide other services necessary for businesses applications.

How fast is it? (from http://www.howstuffworks.com/):
How fast data is transmitted depends on how far you are from the central office of the company providing the xDSL service. xDSL is a distance-sensitive technology: As the connection's length increases, the signal quality decreases and the connection speed goes down. The limit for ADSL service is 18,000 feet (5,460 meters), though for reasons of speed and quality, many ADSL providers establish a lower limit. Customers closer to the central office will see speeds much faster than those located further away. ADSL technology can provide maximum downstream (Internet to customer) speeds of up to 8 megabits per second (MBPS) at a distance of about 6,000 feet (1,820 meters), and upstream speeds of up to 640 kilobits per second (KBPS). In practice, the best speeds widely offered today are 1.5 MBPS downstream, with upstream speeds varying between 64 and 640 KBPS.

SDSL offers guaranteed synchronous speeds ranging from 144K to 9 Mbps, and because of this speed, SDSL is often used as an alternative to T1 lines (see below.) The guaranteed speeds allow business users to host servers, helping them save money, while the scalability of the service allows an increase or decrease in the service level as their company grows.

How much does it cost?
ADSL usually begins around $30-40/month and can go higher depending on speed and services offered by the ISP, such as extra e-mail accounts and web storage. SDSL starts around $69/month and increases depending on the desired speed and extra services.

Advantages:

Faster speed makes the Internet more "useful."
Allows phone line and Internet to be used simultaneously -- no second phone line required.
Connection is always on -- allows xDSL to be used to host web sites, with no possibility of the connection's being "dropped."

Disadvantages:

Costs more than dialup.
Available only within approx.18,000 cable feet (and sometimes less) of a DSL switching station.

Local Info:
Verizon and G4 Communication are expanding their service every day. They now reach towns as far North as Littleton, Berlin and Lancaster. Verizon offers residential ADSL, while G4 Communications focuses on business-rate SDSL. (See above for the differences between ADSL and SDSL.)

3. Cable modem

How it works (from http://www.howstuffworks.com/):
Cable modems work by using "extra space" on the coaxial cable used to bring cable television into a home. The cable line may then be used by either an external or internal cable modem, plugged into a computer.

How fast is it? (from http://www.howstuffworks.com/):
Cable speeds vary greatly due to the number of people using the system at once. A single channel is theoretically capable of 38 megabits per second, but cable companies "cap" each connection so no one person takes all of the bandwidth. Also, when multiple people are splitting the remaining bandwidth, each person's individual share drops considerably. As a user, you can observe when the speed of your connection is sluggish and try to avoid that particular time of day. Often, just by changing the time you are online, you can gain substantial improvement in speed. Normally, cable connections are faster than DSL connections.

How much does it cost?:
Cable usually costs slightly more than DSL, around $40-$60 per month

Advantages:

Same as DSL -- always on, keeps phone line free, fast speed, no drops.
Can go anywhere cable TV wiring goes, no need to be near a switching station.
Download speeds are generally higher than DSL.

Disadvantages:

Speed is highly variable depending on number of users.
Cannot go where cable wires have not been run.
Upload speeds are slower than DSL, making selected applications (sending files via the Internet, Internet gaming, etc…) run slower.

Local Info:
Adelphia PowerLink and MetroCast Cable are the largest cable Internet providers in New Hampshire. Call your local cable office to see if you are eligible for the service.

4. ISDN- "Integrated Services Digital Network"

How it works (from http://www.faqs.org/):
ISDN is a telephone company technology that provides Internet service, typically in increments of 64 kilobytes/second channels. ISDN has been around for many years, but its popularity only recently began to increase due to the limitations of dialup service and the rise of Internet usage. ISDN requires the phone company to install services within their phone switches to support this digitally switched connection service.

How fast is it?
ISDN delivers faster Internet access than traditional analog dial-up access. When the two 64 KBPS ISDN B channels are bonded, up to 128 KBPS can be provided. More channels can be bonded to reach 256 KBPS and 384 KBPS, at a greater cost.

Cost:
For speeds of 128k, residential service costs $70/month, and business service costs $130/month. As the number of bonded channels increases, the price also increases dramatically. Additionally, an ISDN modem is required, which costs approximately $150 - $200.

Advantages:

Brings Internet access to areas without DSL, Cable, etc…
Service is expandable up to 384 kilobytes/second depending on need

Disadvantages:

Much slower than other high-speed technologies
Equipment costs and monthly fees far exceed those of other high-speed options
Ties up a phone line and/or requires a second line for Internet usage

Local Info:
Verizon and NCIA have teamed up to offer ISDN in Colebrook, Pittsburg, Deerfield, Lancaster, Ctr. Ossipee and Greenfield to test market demand. Must live within three-mile radius of telephone center in town.

G4 Communications offers ISDN in parts of the state not served by Verizon/NCIA. Their service costs approximately the same as Verizon's business ISDN service.

5. Satellite Internet

How it works (from http://www.earthlink.net/):
Satellite Internet requires the installation of a 2 to 3 foot satellite dish with a clear view of the southern sky. Using a system of two modems, one for uploading and one for downloading, information is exchanged with satellites in geostationary orbits.

How fast is it?
Upload speed is about one-tenth of the download speed. Speeds vary from 300 KBPS download/30 KBPS upload (low) to 2000 KBPS download/80 KBPS upload (high.)

How much does it cost?
Satellite service is usually around $50-$80 a month, but the equipment can run as high as $500-$600, with the installation adding another $200-$300. However, this cost can often be reduced through company promotions.

Advantages:

Brings high-speed access to areas outside the reach of DSL and cable
No need for phone lines to have Internet access

Disadvantages

Equipment is very expensive compared to other options
Heavy rain and snow can disrupt Internet service, and will not work if view of the southern sky is blocked
Slow upload speeds can make certain applications (sending files via the Internet, Internet gaming, etc…) run slower than with other high-speed technologies

Local info:

StarBand satellite Internet is provided by local businesses in Colebrook (Lin-Jo Creations,) Lancaster (Germain's Satellite,) Meredith (Lakes Region Communications,) and several other locations around the state. For the location nearest you, visit http://www.starband.com/ All major satellite providers -- including DirecWay, Earthlink etc... -- can install the service at your residence, but purchasing from a local provider often allows more flexibility in terms of service.

6. Wireless Internet:

How it Works:
Wireless Internet providers transmit information via high-frequency radio signals between their tower and a special receiver, which then connects to your computer. In order for this technology to work, there must be a direct line-of-sight from somewhere on your property (where the receiver will be installed) to the radio tower from which the company broadcasts its signal.

How Fast is It?:
Varies depending on price. The lowest cost residential option is synchronous (identical upload and download speed) 128 kilobytes/second service, and the highest cost option is 768 kilobytes/second download and 1 megabyte/second upload service for businesses.

Cost:
Monthly service varies from $29.95/month to $500/month depending on the company offering the service, speed desired and physical location. Installation and equipment costs vary from no cost to $250, depending on the length of the service contract.

Advantages:

No need to rely on phone company infrastructure
Signal receiver is very low-profile, unlike satellite dish

Disadvantages:

Service area is limited to line-of-sight, so some homes/businesses may not be eligible even within the theoretical service area
Equipment/installation costs are high
2.5 gHz devices (such as cordless phones) may disrupt signal

Local Info:
Wireless is available through NCIA in Berlin, Littleton, North Conway and coming soon to Lancaster. FirstBridge Internet serves North Conway and Glen. SegNet serves Conway, Claremont, Newport, Enfield, Hanover, Lebanon, and West Lebanon. USAExpress serves Charlestown, with Claremont and Walpole to be served soon.

7. T1 Lines:

What is it? (from http://www.howstuffworks.com/):
A T1 line is a fiber optic line into your office (a T1 line might also come in on copper wires).

How Fast is It? (from http://www.howstuffworks.com/):
A T1 line can carry 24 digitized voice channels, or it can carry data at a rate of 1.544 megabits per second, roughly 60 times more data than a normal residential modem. It is also extremely reliable -- much more reliable than an analog modem.

Cost (from http://www.howstuffworks.com/):
A T1 line can cost between $500 and $1,500 per month depending on who provides it and where it goes. The other end of the T1 line needs to be connected to and ISP and the total cost is a combination of the fee the phone company charges and the fee the ISP charges.

Advantages:

Extremely fast Internet connection
Very reliable connection
Can be shared among many users to maximize its usefulness

Disadvantages:

Far too expensive for regular consumers to afford
Complicated setup and maintenance often requires having a network administrator or Information Technology person on staff to keep the network running
Unless fiber-optic cable already comes into your area, installation might be delayed until the phone company can physically run the wiring into your building

Local Info:
Many local ISPs can offer T1 service. It pays to ask local businesses which ISP they recommend and get prices from several companies before committing to a service.