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!
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DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
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.
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.
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.
Dean - I've had broadband for so many years now. I don't think I could ever switch back to dial up.
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.