If you're reading this article, I'm assuming you're in the market to get connected — and I'm pretty sure you've run into questions like: Should I go with a dial-up, or an ADSL connection? What about this 3G and HSDPA that I hear so much about? What's the difference?

You can relax — if you're confused by the myriad of Internet Service Providers and their available options, then you're definitely not alone.

Let's demystify the jargon first — this article will help you make sense out of what all the acronyms stand for.

In summary, to get connected to the internet you have three basic options:

• Dial-up
• ADSL
• Mobile network (e.g. Vodacom, Cell C, MTN)

Of these, I highly recommend you ignore dial-up. The days of dial-up have come and gone, I'm afraid. Rather choose one of the other two based on your need:

• Fixed location: ADSL
• Mobility: Mobile network (3G, HSDPA, iBurst, etc.)

Apart from the mobility differences, ADSL also normally works out cheaper per MB than the mobile options. But, of course, you don't have the benefit of being able to use it on your laptop if you move around quite a bit.

Ah, but remember Telkom!

The ADSL also has the hidden cost of a Telkom line that you have to rent. So when you look at the ADSL prices as advertised by an ISP, remember that they usually don't include the price of the Telkom line.

Now here's where it gets messy: you have to rent a normal telephone line from Telkom, and then pay a monthly fee to get that line to have ADSL access. And then you have to add the ISP amount on top of that to get your total monthly fee:

Telkom telephone rental + Telkom ADSL rental + ISP = total internet access cost

Useful links: Telkom telephone rates; Telkom ADSL rates

So which is the best ISP already?

Unfortunately there is no simple answer as it very much depends on personal preferences and needs.

However, the ISP Directory and Hellkom are both great tools to help you narrow down the best ADSL internet service providers based on your needs, so if you've got your heart set on ADSL, visit one of these sites.

If mobility is the name of the game for you, however, then Vodacom, Cell C, MTN, and Telkom all have options that you should explore.

Happy hunting!

Already have an internet service provider? Do you like it? Please share with us why or why not by leaving a comment below.

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