In many places in the US the choices available may vary. There may be only one, or a few, providers with whom you can get a DSL connection. In advertising and other "explanatory materials" DSL may be called "High Speed Internet."

Surprisingly, a "wireless high speed internet" connection may be available in places where wired DSL is not; but even the wireless connection may be "available" in a particular city, but not in some "pockets" where signal conditions are less than satisfactory.

Generic advertising for a major telco like AT&T, Verizon, etc may have different policies depending on precisely where you are and what local office administers the service you want.

Although it's seldom stated "up front" most wired connections insist that you must get your local 'phone service from the provider that gives you the high speed (DSL or wireless) connection. In some places it's a requirement. In other places they may imply that "you have to" get both together but you may be able to argue about it.

It's nearly a universal requirement that in order to get a "cable internet service" you must also subscribe to at least "basic cable TV." If you have and intend to keep a cable TV the prices quoted for internet are in addition to that. If you don't have cable TV, it can be very difficult to even get the "cable internet people" to admit that it's an additional cost you will have to pay, and/or to get a price for "how much cable TV" is required and what it will cost (It is at least in my area).

The price and speeds cited in the first post here are pretty typical for what's available in my area, with "basic" packages from $9.99 to about $20 at the speeds given. Most providers will offer a higher speed option for around $20 - $30 per month, with a "premium" service in the vicinity of $30 - $50 per month. All of these are for "Dynamic Address" service. [If (unlikely) you want a "Fixed IP" service the range here is around $50 to $75 per month.]

The possible "clinker" in the deal fist described could be in the two year contract. Most providers in my area require only one year at initial signup. More important perhaps than the length of the contract is the "termination policy and charges" demanded by the provider. It's been fairly common for providers to demand payment for the full "length of contract" at termination, or to apply a lesser "flat fee" for any termination before the term of the original. AT&T in my area has only - within the last couple of months - gone to a prorated termination fee that decreases as you "use up more" of the original term.

Verizon is one provider that's been cited in complaints that for cell-phone contracts any contact with them automatically results in a "contract renewal" that extends the contract by the term of the original, so if you call to inquire about your bill you've "agreed" to a new one or two year extension of the contract, starting with the date of your call. I haven't heard of complaints of them doing this with internet service, but would advise asking specifically about disconnect terms/penalties with any provider you're considering.

I wouldn't worry too much about getting hooked up in a hurry to get a "special offer" price, since a new "special offer" likely will come along almost as soon as the old one expires. The rate quoted may be a little better than the "regular rate," but isn't likely to be a lot different. If it really is a "special introductiory rate" it may be difficult to get them to tell you what rate will apply after the "introductory period" expires - or even whether or not it does expire or is guaranteed as long as the contract is renewed.

As several have commented, the rates claimed for the service in the first post are typical for "minimum DSL" service. It probably is adequate for casual browsing, but if significant "video" - as in Movies or TV programming - downloading is anticipated you probably should consider a step up to the next more expensive (faster) plan. Note that all such offers say "up to xx MB/sec" but actuals may be closer to about half what is claimed. You're unlikely to get a provider to quote an "expected actual speed" before signing the contract.

John