When you think about internet providers these days, certain names keep popping up in ads in the paper, advertisements on TV and online. “We are the best” and you can fill in the name. So which is the top internet service provider this year? Not everyone can be the best and sorting them out can be confusing.

Four main aspects of internet service were examined, our findings then collated, and apples compared to apples. Though email accounts and web space are nice extras, what most Internet Service consumers care about is speed, price, and availability and possible restrictions to use or bandwidth limitations.

Since the extras are relatively, standard between Internet Service Providers those were not considered prime factors and the plans chosen for comparison were for home use.

The first requirement that they be National and cover not just one corner of the country brought the list down three top contenders offering three types of broadband services. The internet service providers examined were:

· HughesNet

· Time Warner Road Runner

· Verizon

· AT&T

These Internet providers plans were rated on internet coverage areas, price, download and upload speeds and limitations to service (such as bandwidth caps) in order to obtain a reasonable comparison and determine the top ISP for 2010.

It goes without saying that when even mobile phones are going to 3G networks to speed up downloads the consumer at home is not going to be happy with anything less than broadband.

HughesNet Internet Service

HughesNet is a satellite system that provides internet services to any location with a clear view of the sky and a place to put a satellite dish. This is a solution used by some persons who are in rural locations and unable to obtain internet in another way.

The monthly price is around $60.00 the satellite equipment is around $300.00

The download speed is 1 MBs and upload speed is 128 kps, the download speed might be comparable to a starter type DSL speed the upload is not. Satellite providers however do have a Fair Use Policy and restrictions on how much bandwidth can be used on downloads. HughesNet Internet subscribers are restricted to 200 mb per day download.

Perhaps the most positive point about HughesNet is that this service is available to customers no matter how rural their location. Someone who uses the internet regularly has kids who download music or play games will probably find this ISP too slow and expensive for what it delivers.

Time Warner Internet Service – Road Runner

Time Warner provides broadband cable internet for subscribers and cable at one time was believed to be the fastest broadband available. Times have changed though and DSL can now compete.

The coverage for Time Warner Roadrunner ISP is limited and less comprehensive than other Internet Service Providers. The Roadrunner high speed will allow download speeds from 5 – 12 MBps. There is an introductory price for the high-speed Roadrunner package however, after 12 months the price will increase. Cable service comes through a shared feed, the same as cable TV does, many users on that same feed can slow the cable connection down and you will not be getting the speed you ordered and expected. The hike in price at the end of the introductory period, the pressure to “bundle” services and the lack of control as to whether your area will actually realize the promised internet speeds makes Roadrunner Cable less than perfect.

AT&T DSL Internet

AT&T is a well-known internet and phone service provider. They have locations across the nation and most offer DSL services. DSL requires a modem and a phone line but not necessarily a service. AT&T service without the bundled phone service will cost $45.00 per month. The fastest speeds offered by AT&T DSL are 6 MBps. The modem will cost $62.00.

DSL service with AT&T can also give you access the AT&T wifi networks and hotspots.

Verizon Internet Service Provider DSL

Verizon is a Broadband Internet Service Provider that offers mobile broadband Verizon FIOS as well as DSL for home users. Verizon is available over most of the US. You do need a phone line (though not necessarily a phone service) in order to connect to the Verizon DSL broadband service. You also will need phone filters and a modem. Verizon DSL customers also have free access to the wifi network with hotspots around the nation.

The Verizon FIOS (fiber optic network internet) is not available in all locations yet, where it is offered speeds up to 50 MBps are possible. The standard DSL internet service from Verizon offers download speeds of up to 7.1 MBps and because it is on your phone line, there is no traffic congestion such as cable where many users share the same access cable.

Pricing for the 7.1MBps speed is 39.99 per month, the modem is free with a 2-year contract and the price is not an introductory offer, but the price you will continue to pay.

The Top Internet Service Provider in 2010 Is…

Objectively, based upon price, availability and the realizable speeds, then cable can be faster but unfortunately is often not. Cable will always be more expensive in the end when the introductory period wears off. Satellite internet has neither speed nor price and significant limitations in terms of download speed.

The clear winner is Verizon even when compared to all the contenders including AT&T in terms of pricing for the services rendered it is affordable and will not change after that introductory period.

Verizon beats out AT&T in terms of maximum speeds possible and unlike cable broadband, with DSL you access the internet via your phone line so you are the only one on that line your information is potentially more secure. In addition, with Verizon internet service browsing and surfing speeds do not suffer due to people sharing the same cable line to connect to the internet as it can with cable.

Verizon is available in more locations than either of the other contenders and with location speed and price, it simply stands as no other provider does.