Internet Services
In the U.S., you will find very few internet cafes because internet service is relatively cheap and common in homes and at work. Many people surf the internet at home, in the office after work or during lunch breaks.
To set up an internet account on your home computer, you will have to contact a local internet provider. When you order internet service for your house or apartment, the company will send a technician to install a router in your home. After you have paid for the initial set-up fee, including the router, you will only have to pay the monthly internet service fee.
Here are some of the internet providers that service the Boston area:
- Verizon—https://www.verizon.com/home/internet-service-provider/
- Comcast—http://www.comcast.com/
- RCN—http://www.rcn.com/boston/?mc=dc-metro-boston
Free Internet at Public Libraries
You also can usually use the internet for free at a public library if you get a library card, which is also free. You can see all the many locations of Boston Public Libraries on this website: www.bpl.org.
You also can see the many other things that a public library offers (such as museum passes, children‘s reading groups, groups to practice speaking English, movies to see or borrow, crafts and cultural events). If you will live outside of Boston, you can look for the library in your city.
Using the Internet for Phone Service
An alternative option to getting telephone service at your home through a phone company is to use a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) provider. VoIP is technology that allows you to make phone calls over an internet connection rather than using a phone line.
Skype offers this type of service; go to www.skype.com for more information.
There are good and bad points to this developing technology.
- On the positive side, it costs less money because you do not have to pay for phone service in addition to paying for internet service. And even though you are using only one line for both telephone and internet service, you can use your computer while talking on the phone.
- But, on the negative side, you are required to have high-speed internet service in your home, which is more expensive than regular internet service. There also may be other fees.
Here are additional VoIP companies that service the Boston area:
- Vonage: http://www.vonage.com/
- Google Hangouts: https://hangouts.google.com/
- Lingo: https://www.lingo.com/https://www.verizon.com/home/internet-service-provider/