"You've Caught the NET!"

head_left_image

DIAL-UP INTERNET - Tough Times Have It Making A Bit of a Comeback!

Remember dial-up Internet?  That often-slow, noisy-buzz login?  The slow download times?  The searching for a local dial-up number compatible with your ISP?

Well, in today's tough U.S. Economy, some cost-conscious Internet users, lured by potential online savings as much as $300/year, are finding their way back to the once-outmoded technology.

As reported by Etan Horowitz in last Friday's Chicago Tribune, dial-up, long left as a dying service, many are taking a second look at less-costly Dial-Up Internet Service.  Some providers, including United Online, the company that owns NetZero and Juno ISP's, charge only $9.95 monthly for the service - far lower than the $40-or-greater fee many high-speed Broadband providers charge.

Who is switching back?  Although there is no scientific data yet available, many just using the Internet to check their email and do less bandwidth-intensive web surfing are downgrading to save monthly fee.  Many may be older, and have not yet, or will not ever, catch on to cutting-edge current Internet uses, such as audio and video downloads, or heavy social networking on such popular websites as Facebook and Twitter.

And will the switch back be long-lived?  Many say no, as broadband rates become more and more competitive.

But for now - dial-up has yet to completely die, and does attract its own - frugal - loyalists!

Would you take the downgrade to save?  Please share!

See our post today @ BlogChicagoHomes.com.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

7 comments • Dean Moss - Dean's Team Chicago IL Real Estate Team • March 29 2009 10:58PM

Comments

No I wouldn't.  I'd cut back on something else first.  Maybe downgrade to basic cable, as I really do not watch that much television, but when I do need the computer I need it to be fast.

 

Posted by Tammy Lankford/Broker Lane Realty Lake Sinclair-Central GA almost 3 years ago
There are many in my area who dial up. I hope I never have to go back to it. I killed my cable about 6 months ago and haven't regretted it yet.
Posted by Teller, Park and El Paso County Colorado Sabrina Kelley Pikes Peak Region Realtor (ERA The Herman Group) almost 3 years ago
DEAN - I could easily return to dial-up. I've got high speed at my office and I could use the $ I save at home. The Obama era is demanding we cut back in all areas (the Eurpoean model)...this is just the beginning...stay tuned.
Posted by Kent Anderson (Coldwell Banker Realty-Schweitzer Mountain, Sandpoint, Idaho) almost 3 years ago

I wouldn't go back to dial up. It would drive me crazy and I don't know how I could work. I would give something else up before I went back to dial up.

Posted by Jen Bowman - Atlanta GA Realtor - Cobb County - Smyrna, Vinings, Marietta (Keller Williams Realty Cityside) almost 3 years ago

Are you kidding me? Basic broadband is $20/month, nearly the same price as dial up at one time. I would never go back to that annoying dial up just to save $10/month. I would give up something else before giving up broadband.

Posted by B S almost 3 years ago

Dean - I've had broadband for so many years now. I don't think I could ever switch back to dial up.

Posted by Robert Schwabe - Orange Park Real Estate (Keller Williams- First Coast Realty) almost 3 years ago

Dean--I think many people are going to find creative ways to cut corners with the economy the way it is. Hard to go back to dial up though.

Posted by Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes (REMAX Specialists) almost 3 years ago

This blog does not allow anonymous comments