A friend of mine has suggested that in order to get better speed for my Internet connection I can upgrade my PC operating system to Windows 98 and try attaching two 56 kB modems to it. Apparently Windows 98 can handle two modems at a time and I will end up with a connection of more than 100 kB each time I connect to the Net. In the building in which I live I have the ability to subscribe to iTV and SuperNetvigator. Is it better (more efficient or cost-effective) for me to go for the dual-modem connection option or invest in the SuperNetvigator service? I use the Internet for at least 100 hours each month.
NORMAN CHAN Taikoo Shing Not to push Cable & Wireless HKT's services, but I'd go for the SuperNetvigator option.
I'm sure you've figured this out for yourself already, but to go for the dual-modem option, you must have two telephone lines installed at your home.
The cost of having that second line put in - if you don't already have it - is marginal, compared with the dial-up charges levied by your ISP. Even if your ISP's service plan is a good one, you will still end up doubling your monthly connection charges, for no real guarantee of speed. Your two modems may handshake with those of your ISP at around 48 kB each, but download speeds are an entirely different issue.
SuperNetvigator isn't exactly ultra-cheap in comparison with a dial-up account. Your monthly costs will be more than with a simple dial-up connection. But you are supposed to get up to 1.5 Mbps of download speed. Here again, nothing works the way it is always supposed to - ask any SuperNetvigator user who isn't a C&W HKT employee about connection speeds and you will get the 'it isn't always as fast as they say it is' response. However, it will beat the speed of dial-up connection - or two - by quite a margin.