Broadband Internet from AOL, Inc.

AOL, Inc., formerly known as America Online, offers consumer dial-up connections to the internet. Consumers will need to have either a dedicated phone line or a regular phone line for the connection, as well as home telephone service. They will also need a telephone modem, which can be purchased outright or leased. If the consumer does not have a dedicated phone line, they will not be able to use the line to make and receive telephone calls while surfing the internet. This is how dial-up connections differ from digital subscriber line (DSL) connections: a DSL connection allows the same telephone line to be used simultaneously for making and receiving calls and being online.

 

As is true with all dial-up connections, the highest speed is controlled by the 56 kilobits per second (Kbps) limitations of the dial-up modems. However, AOL, Inc. offers a special accelerator technology, called TopSpeed™ technology, which loads certain graphics and web pages faster then with a standard 56 Kbps connection. The TopSpeed™ technology acceleration can be slowed or inhibited by connection speed, geographic location, and service provider.

 

AOL, Inc. currently offers dial-up customers three connection plans from which to choose. The company also offers three plans for customers who elect to have a different internet service provider (ISP).

 

AOL, Inc. Dial-Up Connection Plans

AOL Basic Dial-Up – Limited Support – This plan offers unlimited dial-up access, basic McAfee coverage including virus scanning, and seven AOL screen names.

 

AOL Basic Dial-Up – This plan offers unlimited dial-up connections, basic McAfee coverage including virus protection, seven AOL screen names, and 24/7 live technical support.

 

AOL Dial-Up Advantage – This plan offers the consumer unlimited dial-up connections, premium McAfee coverage – including virus protection, identity protection, spyware prevention, and a firewall – seven AOL screen names, and live 24/7 technical support.

 

AOL, Inc. High Speed Connection Plans

Free AOL – This high speed internet plan offers online customer support, AOL email, and AOL all-in-one software.

 

AOL High-Speed Essentials – Limited Support – This plan offers premium McAfee security and backup dial-up access.