The internet is an ever expanding world where those with high-speed broadband connections can download movies in minutes, live as an avatar in Second Life or watch their favourite television shows over the internet.

As internet speed increases and capabilities become more high-tech, dial-up is fast becoming a technology of the past, with figures for the ageing internet connection falling year on year as broadband becomes both more affordable and more widely available.

However, a notable number of broadband users remain dedicated to their dial-up connections, voicing concerns about long-term contracts and reliability. So what are the benefits of dial-up, and is it really time to think about switching to broadband?

Love your dial-up

Despite broadband being massively faster than dial-up, there are reasons why dial-up continues to have customers, such as the option of metered or unmetered connections and an assortment of packages ranging from free evening and weekend usage to more expensive “anytime” packages.

Pay-as-you-go

You can have a metered dial-up connection where you only pay for the time that you’re using the internet and prices start from as little as 1p a minute. And all you need is a phone line; no technicians, just a free sign-up CD and you’re safe in the knowledge that you won’t get a monthly bill.

Freedom

Pay-as-you-go dial-up customers have the freedom to move to a new provider whenever they want, with no minimum term or contract to sign – unlike broadband customers. If you’re unhappy with your service you can simply leave, with no need to get a MAC code.

Service

Because you just plug in and surf, you’re less likely to experience the set up and service problems that many broadband customers have had. However, if you do encounter any issues, you’ll have trouble solving them since you’ll have to unplug your internet connection to call customer services.

Portable

Having a fixed dial-up connection means that you can take your internet connection with you wherever you go. Providing that you have your computer and a phone line you can dial in at a friend’s house, the office or on holiday. And if you move house there won’t be a break in your connection.

Loathe your dial-up

Despite the few benefits of dial-up, it in no way compares to the much faster, more convenient broadband connections that so many people enjoy today. Even in price, where it was once far more competitive than broadband, it’s no longer faring so well.

Speed

Everyone knows that broadband is faster than dial-up, but with many connections reaching speeds of up to 8Mb, and some going as fast as 24Mb, the difference between what you can do with a broadband connection compared to dial-up is phenomenal. Broadband means no more waiting for websites to load and the freedom to do what you want, when you want.

Phone freedom

Being able to use your phone at the same time as the internet is one of the big advantages of broadband. You can surf for as long as you want without worrying about all your friends trying to ring you. This also means that any problems can be dealt with in real-time, over the phone, with customer services.

Cost efficiency

In 2003 the average 2Mb broadband connection would have set you back around £50 a month – today that cost has dropped to an average of only £15 a month (Ofcom, 2007). That makes the average 2Mb broadband connection – which is 40 times faster than dial-up – the same price, if not cheaper, than the average metered dial-up connection. And because it’s a flat-rate bill you’ll never have to worry about how much time you or your family are spending online.

Wireless capabilities

A broadband connection allows you to set up a home network using a wireless router which you can buy in any computer store or receive direct and preconfigured from your ISP. This not only means that you can banish ethernet cables from around your home, but it also means that multiple users can surf on the same connection. You can get wireless dial-up but it is very expensive.

More for your money

Having a broadband connection has so many advantages. You get an “always on” connection so you never have to wait to get online, faster download times for movies and music, and the chance to really get into the internet with RSS feeds, TV over broadband and free VoIP calling.

Still unsure?

If you still feel attached to your trusty old dial-up and don’t want to commit to a 12 month contract without being really sure, why not try one of the new one or three month contracts now available? Although you might have to pay a set up or exit fee, you’ll be amazed at how fast broadband really is, and chances are, you’ll never look back.