Broadband Internet Information

A Cheap Alternative To Broadband?


Are you a dial-up user looking for a faster connection, but don't like Broadband prices? If so, you should take a look at a new service called OnSpeed, which has received rave reviews in Internet technology publications.

What OnSpeed does is to re-route web pages and email via its own servers, compressing the data on the fly prior to sending it onwards to your PC. A small program then decompresses the data, so that you can view it in the normal way via your browser or email client.

In my own dial-up tests, with a modem running at a nominal 49kb/s I appeared to get speeds close to that of my normal broadband connection of 598 kb/s - very impressive. Image quality is often reduced but the compression for this can be improved, though with an adverse effect on the speed of course.

Some file types like MP3 also cannot yet be compressed. The company is working on these issues however and expects to find solutions soon.

Unfortunately I was unable to use email in my tests, due to a 'port' conflict with a spam filter that I was using. The standard advice on the OnSpeed site for such cases is to disable the offending program. Not a constructive approach - to say the least - so I hope that the relevant instructions will be changed soon.

More significantly, the problem persisted even when I switched off the OnSpeed application on my PC; in the end I had to remove the program to get the spam filter working again. I expect that this fault can be resolved, but clearly there are issues in this area that need to be addressed.

The software is easy to install, and is available for Mac as well as Windows PCs. On the whole the service is surprisingly good, and a lot cheaper than broadband. Unlike other 'speed-up' techniques that tweak your computer's settings but result in little noticeable improvement, OnSpeed really works.

I can recommend OnSpeed for dial-up users who can't justify the expense of broadband, or who are not located close enough to a suitable exchange. OnSpeed is also stated to be great for mobile or PDA users, as GPRS (wireless) speeds can be boosted by as much as 8 times. It even helps with broadband if you can only get a reduced service in your area.

My overall rating is 4/5 - very good, but the email support needs to be improved.

If you want further details of OnSpeed, please visit http://www.On-Speed.net. There is a 14 day money-back guarantee, so you can try the service without any risk.

Copyright Richard Prosser 2004

Richard is a software developer and entrepreneur, and may be contacted via the 'Article Tips' site given below. This article may be published without permission, but only in its entirety.

Free email course: "Drive 'Hot' Prospects To Your Site For Free!" http://www.ArticleTips.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Los Angeles Times

FCC's plan for broadband Internet access falls short
Washington Post
The government has a big plan for broadband -- big enough that you'll want a broadband connection to download its full text. ...
FCC Plans National Access To Broadband InternetRed, White, and Blue Press (blog)
How fast is your broadband? Even the feds can't be sureLos Angeles Times
Plan Aims to Expand Broadband Across USVoice of America
Watching the Watchers.org (blog) -TheNewsTribune.com (blog) -Atlantic Online
all 82 news articles »


Kansas City Star

Local officials praise broadband Internet proposal
Daily American Online
... and the 9th District have up-to-date access to information and entertainment through broadband Internet, especially in rural areas,” said US Rep. ...
US plan for broadband Internet releasedWikinews
A new right for Americans: universal broadband InternetExaminer.com
FCC Proposes Broadband Internet for All AmericansAllGov
Intellectual Property Watch (blog) -Ozarks First -WCNC (subscription)
all 2,364 news articles »


Russia's Broadband Internet Use Rising, Even Afar -Vedomosti
FOXBusiness
Broadband Internet use in Russia is spreading beyond major cities to the vast regions, according to a new study, business daily Vedomosti reports Thursday. ...

and more »


Everything Long Beach (press release)

City Vies for Trial of Google's Broadband Internet
Santa Monica Mirror
The City of Santa Monica is preparing an application to participate in a trial of ultra-high speed broadband networks offered by Google. ...
Google pushes broadband, Gainesville in the runningIndependent Florida Alligator
EDITORIAL: A chance at advancementPlattsburgh Press Republican
Luján backs Farmington's Google proposalThe New Mexico Independent
Journal of the San Jaun Islands -O'Reilly Radar (blog) -Record-Searchlight
all 113 news articles »


A Wrong-Headed Right-Wing Take on Broadband and Net Neutrality
DailyFinance
"We propose that broadband Internet access service providers may address harmful traffic or traffic unwanted by users as a reasonable network management ...



OFC/NFOEC 2010 to feature research breakthroughs on the future of broadband ...
Eureka! Science News
Much of the research being presented in 2010 covers what's in store for the future of broadband Internet. Some of the highlights, outlined below, include:

and more »


Grant would fund broadband Internet to Tribal communities
Philadelphia Neshoba Democrat
A grant to bring broadband Internet services to the eight Choctaw Indian communities is being pursued by the Tribe. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians ...



Obama unveils plan for broadband in rural areas
Times Record News
The Obama administration unveiled this week a plan for expanding broadband Internet service to all Americans, including those in hard-to-reach, rural areas. ...



New Funding Will Expand Broadband Internet Service In Jackson...
KEYC
Good evening, I'm Dion Cheney.And I'm Nicole Winters.Thanks for joining us.The stimulus bill passed last year is still creating projects throughout the ...

and more »


Michigan Business Review - MLive.com

Joliet wants to test Google's new project
Chicago Breaking News - Tribune
Officials in the Will County city this week put in their application to be a test site for Google's fiber optic broadband Internet service, which promises ...
Appleton seeks next generation of Internet speedAppleton Post Crescent
Editorial: March Madness, Google styleGreensboro News & Record
Community leaders aim to Spam GoogleAustin Herald
Metromode Media -Appleton Post Crescent
all 81 news articles »

Google News

Index | Site map
2009 VirBooks  Home
PLAE  | Solar System