Hanging up on dailup | Online

If you're tired waiting for websites to load, or having downloads tying up your phone line, it may be time to disconnect the old dialup internet connection and go broadband.

With broadband technology still new to Nepal, there's a lot of confusion. Put simply, a broadband connection is a lot faster than dialup, and doesn't require a dedicated phone line. A broadband connection is typically capable of transmitting around 256 kilobits per second, as opposed to standard 56k dialup. This makes online videoconferencing and streaming media smoother, and drastically cuts the loading time for websites.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) first leased broadband lines mainly to corporations and cyber cafés in Kathmandu two years go. Now the focus is shifting to affordable schemes for home users. Subisu Cablenet is the forerunner in this category, with Worldlink and Mercantile following close behind. Local cable TV providers also provide cable internet on a smaller scale.

The basic requirements are a computer, a cable modem (roughly Rs 5,000) and a cable line connected to the ISP's server. Installation charges vary with your distance from the server. While the technologically challenged may find the setup part complicated enough, it's also vital to choose a package that works for you.

One important factor is speed. Cable connections vary from 48 to 256 kilobits per second—the higher the speed, the faster the browsing and the bigger the bill. So if you're an occasional user for things like checking email, you may find a lower speed connection adequate. There are also choices regarding access—for example, there are packages from as little as Rs 700 a month for surfing only at night, while even the cheapest 24-hour plan is about Rs 2,000 per month. Or you could get a fixed-volume connection, like the 500MB or 1GB packages that Worldlink offers.

A savvy shopper will find the best deal, but transitioning to broadband has other problems too. Aspects like the technical calibre of the technicians and a user-friendly customer service department are important, but the biggest concern is the ISPs security measures. One ISP was using an 'open network', where all subscribers had unrestricted access to each other's computers. Invasion of privacy? You bet.
Still, all things considered, broadband is an increasingly feasible option for internet users looking for a fast, stable connection without shocking phone bills. With a fledgling competitive market, services and prices are likely to improve and become more widespread. It seems it's only a matter of time before dialup becomes a thing of the past.