There are many ways to connect your center up.  These options vary by price and speed.  Some are not available in rural or distant areas.

Dial-up Phone

 Speed Cost

This is the standard way that most homes and many offices link to the Internet.  It is a good option for getting started, because 

 28,800 to 55,600 bits per second Free to $23 per month, plus a phone line.  There can be standard charges for outgoing calls.

ISDN (Integrated Digital Services Network)

 Speed Cost

This is one of the oldest "high-speed" services, and is not usually used any more.

 128,000 bits per second $100 or more per month, plus installation

DSL and variants

 Speed Cost

Local phone companies and ISPs offer this telephone-based service.  The main limitation is that you must be located close to a phone company office to get good speed.  If you are further than several miles, you may not be able to use DSL at all. 

 300,000 bits per second minimum $40 or more per month, plus installation

Cable Modems 

 Speed Cost

Cable companies offer this if your location can have cable TV.  Speed degrades if your neighbors sign up for service, since all of you share the same cable.

 1,500,000 bits per second, but can be higher or lower $40 or more per month, plus installation

Satellites

 Speed Cost

Rural areas may find the only way to receive data quickly is by satellite.  One active system is from www.direcpc.com, which uses a satellite dish to download information at "up to 400,000" bits per second but you upload at 55,600 bits per second. That's OK, because 95% of the time, you are downloading.

A two-way satellite from www.tachyon.net offers 300 kbps, 800 kpbs, and 2,000 kpbs from anywhere in the continental U.S. using a dish less than one meter across.

 128,000 bits per second $130 or more per month, plus installation

High-speed Options

 Speed Cost

T-1 and faster lines are special connections suitable for large offices, libraries, and such.

 T-1 is 1,500,000 bits per second Very high