SERVICE       COST/MONTH*   MAX. SPEED**

CONVENTIONAL  $0-21.95      56 kbps
PHONE

CABLE MODEM   $30-60        1 Mbps

DSL           $30-50        800 kbps

SATELLITE     $30-130       400 kbps

MICROWAVE     $149-1,400    1.4 Mbps


SERVICE       PROS                    CONS

CONVENTIONAL  Cheap, available        Low speed, busy signals
PHONE         everywhere

CABLE MODEM   Fast, always on,        Shared platform means slower
              most widely available   service during peak online
              broadband technology    hours. Easier for hackers to
                                      infiltrate

DSL           Dedicated line,         You have to live near a
              consistently fast,      phone company switching
              higher security         station

SATELLITE     Fast, dependable,       Currently, high-speed is
              and wireless            for receiving data only;
                                      uploads move at slower
                                      speed over phone lines.
                                      Not always on

MICROWAVE     Fast, dependable,       Some versions require
              wireless, always on     unimpeded line of sight
                                      to a base station

*Plus installation, equipment purchases.
**Download speed only.