Frequently Asked Questions
- What exactly is broadband?
- Why should I switch to high speed?
- Does AOL work with broadband?
- How do I know which type of connection I should get?
- If I get a high speed connection, does that mean I can stop paying for AOL?
- How do I connect to AOL with my new high speed connection?
What exactly is broadband?
In general, broadband refers to a group of technologies that provide high-speed (DSL and Cable) data access or connectivity to the home or business using standard telephone wiring or cable TV wiring. These technologies provide much higher speeds than standard dial-up modem connections and allow for additional features that take advantage of high-speed data transmissions that are not capable with regular dial up modems.
DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, is the name given to a group of technologies that provide high-speed (also known as broadband) connectivity to the home or business using standard telephone wiring. The difference between a DSL modem and a regular modem is that DSL uses digital coding techniques to obtain greater capacity out of a phone line without interfering with your regular phone service. The speed at which the DSL modem will carry data varies due to certain circumstances. DSL is a distance-sensitive technology, which means that homes that are farther from the phone company’s central office may experience slower speeds than those that are closer.
Cable broadband service is provided by your local cable company. It uses the pay TV cable networks to bring you your broadband Internet access. Cable broadband services also does not interfere with your phone line while you are on the Internet. Cable service may not be available in all areas, depending on your local cable company.
Click here to see what options are available to you based on your current address and phone number.
Why should I switch to high speed?
Faster is better, and with high-speed Internet you’ll be connecting to the Web and surfing at lightning speeds. No more tying up your phone line with a dial-up connection, high-speed Internet keeps you connected 24/7. Switch now and discover all the benefits:
- Faster e-mail
- Faster Web surfing
- Faster downloads of music and video
- Dedicated connection (no sharing a line with your phone)
Dial-up users connect at 56 kbps (kilobits per second). Broadband users connect at 512 kbps up to 2 Mbps or faster. Do some quick math and you’ll notice that you’ll be connecting to the Internet almost 10 times quicker than your normal dial-up connection.
Click here to see what options are available to you based on your current address and phone number.
Does AOL work with broadband?
You can enjoy your favorite AOL features and benefits even more over a broadband connection! AOL does not offer the high speed connection on its own, but works with the nation’s leading providers who actually own and operate the "pipes" that bring high-speed data to a your home. Your AOL Screen Name, Buddy List® feature, Favorites and other personal settings will remain the same when your broadband connection is installed.
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How do I know which type of connection I should get?
Depending on where you live, one or more of the connection types listed below may be available.
| Connection Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Cable | Most cable TV companies provide a high-speed connection through cable lines originally used for television only. |
| DSL | Phone companies provide a high-speed DSL connection through the existing phone lines. |
| FiOS | FiOS which stands for "fiber-optic service" is a fiber to the premises (FTTP) telecommunications service. |
| Satellite | This high-spped connection type is often offered when the other options are not available. |
Click here to see what options are available to you based on your current address and phone number.
If I get a high speed connection, does that mean I can stop paying for AOL?
That depends. You can choose the free AOL option and stop paying for dial-up Internet access and customer support from AOL if you have another way to get online. Once you're online, you can continue to use AOL's software, email and security features at no charge. We will, however, continue to offer a range of affordable of dial-up and high-speed (cable or DSL) plans for those who need a connection to the Internet, as well as 24/7 live customer support and additional benefits not available to free users.
You will be able to continue accessing the AOL software, your email account and additional AOL features, as long as you have a connection to the Internet. Make sure you first start up your Internet connection before opening your AOL software.
How do I connect to AOL with my new high speed connection?
The AOL® software allows you to connect to the AOL® service over the Internet from any broadband connection, such as a cable modem or a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).
If you aren't running the latest version of the AOL software, you should download the latest version at AOL® Keyword: Upgrade or by going to http://www.aol.com. If you decide to upgrade, the AOL software should automatically detect your broadband connection during setup.
Check for an Existing Broadband Location
Normally the AOL software will automatically detect a high-speed (broadband) connection when the software is installed or when you change from a dial-up connection to a broadband connection. To check to see if the AOL software has already set up a high-speed location:
- On the AOL® Sign On screen, click the Select Location: or Location: or Connection: drop-down menu and look for one of these options:
- Broadband or Broadband (Cable/DSL/ISP) if using AOL® 8.0 Plus or higher
- ISP/LAN Connection if using AOL® 8.0 or lower
- If either Broadband or ISP/LAN Connection is listed your AOL software is already setup to use a high-speed connection.
- Select either Broadband or ISP/LAN Connection as your location, then click the Sign On button to sign on to the AOL® service.
Create a New Broadband Location
If for any reason the AOL software did not automatically detect your high-speed connection, you can create the location manually.
To add a broadband location using AOL 6.0, AOL 7.0 or AOL 8.0:
- On the AOL Sign On screen, click the Setup button.
- On the Edit America Online Setup window, click the Expert Setup button.
- Click the Devices (modems, etc.) tab.
- Click the Auto Detect button. It will search for the connection device.
- Select TCP/IP: LAN or ISP (Internet Service Provider), then click the Next button.
- Confirm the selection, then click the Next button.
To add a broadband location using AOL® for Mac® OS X:
- On the AOL Sign On screen, click the Setup button.
- Click the Expert Setup button.
- Click the Add TCP button.
- Click the OK button.
- Click the OK button.