Business owners in Maryland usually have a wide selection of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to choose from. However, most ISPs do not provide broadband service in Maryland, which is much faster than a traditional phone line and is now easily affordable.

DSL Internet service in Maryland will provide a maximum download rate of at least 512 kilobits/second and many services offer much higher rates than that. By comparison, a regular telephone modem only provides a maximum transfer rate of about 50 kilobits/second.

There are normally only a very few providers of Maryland DSL service for a given area. The cost for DSL in Maryland is primarily determined by the connection's maximum download rate, which can vary between service packages. The price for a given level of basic service normally doesn't vary a great deal between providers in most markets.

DSL service normally requires only a DSL modem if the user already has telephone service. Purchase the DSL modem from a retailer or directly from the DSL provider. Renting the modem from the DSL provider is frequently included in the package for little or no extra charge.

In order to best use your DSL service in Maryland:

1. Find a locator service suitable for your needs.

2. Compare the prices between services in Maryland.

3. Determine the reliability of broadband Maryland services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate Maryland DSL service in your area

Identify the DSL MD providers in your area so that you can compare the features of the available packages to get the best deal for your business needs. Your telephone company will usually provide DSL services, but other DSL providers may also be available to you.

I recommend: Enter your search criteria at DSL.com to get a list of every MD DSL service provider that is available in your area. A zip code is a better best search criterion than the city name because it is more specific than the city name.

Compare prices between broadband Maryland services

DSL in Maryland is generally slower and therefore cheaper than cable broadband service. However, broadband access is frequently bundled with other services so you need to compare all of the components in the bundle.

I recommend: Get a list of prices and features for all the DSL service providers in Maryland at dsl.broadbandnational. You can then check providers that offer the best package for service to your area.

Determine the level of reliability you can expect from your broadband Maryland service

Downtime varies considerably among DSL providers in Maryland and some providers guarantee a maximum amount of downtime per month. Many providers will also provide compensation for service outages.

I recommend: Go to DSLreports.com for an open discussion of the pros and cons of each provider of DSL in Maryland. This forum does not endorse any Maryland DSL providers and contains posts by actual DSL customers in Maryland.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Telephone wiring sometimes needs upgrading before you can receive DSL MD service. This is especially common in older houses built before the 1990s.