July 20th, 2010 by admin

Your friends call you an idealist, but you know what you’re looking for: someone to show you the sights, who’ll spend time with your family, and maybe even show you what’s for dinner. Yes, the world of internet service providers can be a crowded but lonely place. Thankfully, there’s this handy list of options for those living in Chicago, from big names to some you may not have heard of before.

• Verizon offers high-speed internet access via DSL and Cable with plenty of advantages. Winner of a 2009 J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Award, Verizon offers some of the fastest speeds in the business, with their Starter plan at 1 Mbps and their Turbo plan at 7.1 Mbps. They also offer a large, reliable network of more than 100 million people.
• RCN Chicago is another option for Chicago customers. Their wireless options offer up to four simultaneous Internet connections with plenty of customization, including parental controls and Mac compatibility. Their network is fiber-optic as opposed to cable or DSL, and basic 1.5 Mbps connection is 29.99 a month.
• DSL 4 Chicago is a firm which partners with other providers like AT&T Broadband, Earthlink, and Qwest to match specific customers with the right connection. This is a great option for first-time customers unsure of what their internet needs require. There’s one simple form to fill out, and the contractors do the rest.
• HughesNet offers satellite internet anywhere in the continental U.S. at speeds up to 50 times faster than dial-up. They service resident, business, and government networks. One warningsatellite internet is subject to high latency between data request and response, so if you’re interested in online gaming or videoconferencing, make sure to do your research before choosing this option.