Internet Communication Guide
There are a lot of internet providers in the US and in the Chicago area. The main ones are AT&T and Comcast.
AT&T http://www.att.com
Internet Plans: the plans described below include the local phone service. AT&T offers also internet plans with no local phone service. The monthly fees are then higher for each plan except for DSL Basic (same price). Special offers may apply for each plans, check their website to learn more.
The process to set up an internet plan with AT&T is as following:
1/ order on line, over the phone or visit a store: you will need to have ready with you your Social Security Number (See the banking section and more particularly the Social Security Number sub-section). Please note that you might have to buy a modem. According to the area you are going to live, you may not be able to order online. Moreover as an expatriate, you may not have a credit history in the US and will need to explain your situation. It is advisable to visit an AT&T store first. Take your passport with visa, work contract and any other documents that might be useful.
2/ schedule an appointment with a technician to make an installation. It is not compulsory with AT&T but a fee applies if you choose this option.
| Internet plans’ names | DSL Elite | DSL Pro | DSL Express | DSL Basic |
| Monhly cost | 35 | 30 | 25 | 19.95 |
| Speed | Downstream: Up to 6.0 Mbps
Upstream: Up to 768 Kbps |
Downstream: Up to 3.0 Mbps
Upstream: Up to 512 Kbps |
Downstream: Up to 1.5 Mbps
Upstream: Up to 384 Kbps |
Downstream: Up to 768 Kbps
Upstream: Up to 384 Kbps |
| Equipment | – Modem $62.05 but free after rebate, online offer only
– AT&T Wireless Gateway (wireless router with built-in modem): $87.05 but free after rebate, online offer only |
– Modem $62.05 but free after rebate, online offer only
– AT&T Wireless Gateway (wireless router with built-in modem): $87.05 but free after rebate, online offer only |
– Modem $62.05
– AT&T Wireless Gateway (wireless router with built-in modem): $87.05 |
– Modem $62.05
– AT&T Wireless Gateway (wireless router with built-in modem): $87.05 |
| Installation options | Do it yourself for free or ask a technician ($200). | Do it yourself for free or ask a technician ($200). | Do it yourself for free or ask a technician ($200). | Do it yourself for free or ask a technician ($200). |
| Order on line | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
AT&T also offers bundles.
| Double Play | Triple Play |
| Home phone + Internet for $60 per month.
Downstream Speed: Up to 1.5 Mbps / Upstream Speed: Up to 384 Kbps Unlimited local and long distance calling and features such as call waiting, caller ID, etc. Order online available. You can install internet yourself or ask a technician ($200). |
Home phone + internet + wireless for $99.99 per month.
Downstream Speed: Up to 3.0 Mbps Upstream Speed: Up to 512 Kbps Unlimited local and long distance calling and features such as call waiting, caller ID, etc. Wireless: AT&T NationSM 450; 450 anytime minutes, Rollover® Minutes, unlimited Mobile to Mobile minutes, 5000 nights and weekend minutes, and more. New wireless customers only. Order online available. You can install internet yourself or ask a technician ($200). |
Comcast http://www.comcast.com
The process to set up an internet plan with Comcast is as following:
1/ ordering on line, over the phone or visit a store: you will need to have ready with you your Social Security Number (See the banking section and more particularly the Social Security Number sub-section). Please note that you will have to rent or to buy a modem. As with AT&T, according to the area you are going to live, you may not be able to order online. It is advisable to visit a Comcast store. Take your passport with visa, work contract and any other documents that might be useful.
2/ schedule an appointment with a technician to make an installation (compulsory with Comcast). You will have to wait approximately three weeks before the technician will be able to come and make the installation. Therefore as soon as you have signed your lease agreement, we advise you to order the installation if you go with Comcast.
Comcast Internet plans
| Internet plans’ names | Economy Internet Service | Performance | Blast | Ultra | Extreme 50 |
| Monthly cost | 24.95 | 42.95 | 52.95 | 62.95 | 99.95 |
| Speed | Faster than dial-up with downloads up to 1 Mbps and uploads up to 384 Kbps. | Downloads up to 15Mbps, uploads up to 3Mbps with PowerBoost® | Downloads up to 20Mbps, uploads up to 4Mbps with PowerBoost®. | Downloads up to 30Mbps, uploads up to 7Mbps with PowerBoost®. | Downloads up to 50Mbps, uploads up to 10Mbps with PowerBoost®. |
| Equipment | NA | Cable modem required | Cable modem required | Cable modem required | Cable modem required |
| Installation options | Equipment, installation, and taxes extra. | Equipment, installation, and taxes extra. | Equipment, installation, and taxes extra. | Equipment, installation, and taxes extra. | Equipment, installation, and taxes extra. |
| Order on line | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Comcast also provides bundles such as a double play Internet + phone. Prices and services may vary according to the area in which you live.
Internet Cafés
The first U.S. cyber cafe was a Chicago Internet café located in Boystown on North Broadway Street. There are a lot of Cyber cafés in Chicago. You will find a list of them on http://www.internet-cafe-guide.com/chicago-internet-cafe.html.
It might be useful to know that you can also access the web through Wifi Access points with your lap top. Starbucks Café, Argo tea and Panera Bread offer this kind of service for free at some of their locations. In others internet cafe the price range is from $3 to $8 an hour, some give you free access with purchase.
