Verizon DSL service is a good way to get on the Internet for your home or office.  It is also a cost efficient way to ensure the speed you pay for is actually the speed you get.  This is in contrast to Time Warner’s Internet Service where your paid service is shared with your building’s users.  So, you might not be getting the speed you paid for.

Enough about speed.  The biggest thing to watch out for with Verizon DSL, or for Time Warner’s Cable, is the activation date.  We get a lot of people asking our computer Internet technicians to come out to set up their computers for the Internet; however the Internet service is not activated yet.  Typically, the Internet companies ship out kits, including the modem, filters, cables, and sometimes routers.  Just because you receive the kit, it doesn’t mean your service will automatically work.

You’ll need to confirm with Verizon or TimeWarner that your service has been activated or else the modem will not pick up the Internet signal.  This is similar to the phone service where you need to make sure the phone service is activated or plugging your phone into the phone jack will not help at all.  This may seem obvious to make sure the service is activated, but the date you get is typically delayed.  So, the next time your Internet service is about to be set up by an Internet setup tech, make sure your Internet service is really activated.

Starbucks has a deal now with ATT to offer free wi-fi access to iPhone users.  Previously, Starbucks had a deal with T-mobile to provide paid Internet service to computer users.  Now, iPhone users can use wi-fi access for free instead of using the slower EDGE network.  Wi-fi access is similar to going on the Internet wirelessly from home.  You simply connect wirelessly to a router that, in turn, connects to a modem for Internet access. 

How does it work?   As an iPhone user, your Safari browser will automatically prompt you to enter your phone number for verification.  Once it’s verified, you’re good to go.  This is one more reason to visit Starbucks for a cup of Joe.  Just make sure to keep your coffee at harm’s length from your laptop.  We have many customers that visit our computer repair shop shortly afterwards due to a cafe latte that spilled on their keyboards.