DSL more popular with current dial-up users

According to J.D. Power and Associates, dial-up Internet access customers are more likely to switch to DSL than cable modem services if both were available in their area.

The information services firm last week issued its “2003 Internet Service Provider Residential Customer Satisfaction Study” based on responses from 7,700 consumers. The survey found that 52% of dial-up Internet access users would upgrade to DSL services rather than cable modem.

Although today there are many more cable modem users than DSL, only 38% of dial-up users said they would upgrade to cable modem services rather than DSL if both were available in their area.

“DSL providers are having a lot of success convincing consumers that they have an advantage over cable, particularly in the area of price,” said Steve Kirkeby, senior director of telecommunication research at J.D. Power. “Price continues to be the No. 1 reason to switch providers among dial-up and high-speed Internet subscribers. However, widespread availability is a critical hurdle that DSL providers haven’t yet been able to jump.”

Of all Internet access services, dial-up connectivity still dominates. A full 74% of consumers connect to the Internet via dial-up, while 17% use cable modem service and 9% use DSL service.