need advice on selecting a dsl service

Hi.
I have never had anything but dial-up service, am not very technical, and am hoping for some advice on how to select a dsl provider. I would like to have the option of eliminating landline phone service if I desire.
Dial-up did work for me for a number of years, but the cable co. providing phone service won't fix a dirty line, and my once trusty isp is having problems, or at least not fixing mine. Life's too short for this constant hassle.
In trying to research dsl I learned that distance from the provider is a big factor. This confuses me as large companies with no local presence, such as ATT, are trying to get me to go with them. Am I better with a local company, or do the nationwides have local agreements? I am in a relatively small rural area.
What questions should I be asking these companies, what to look out for, so on. Price is a factor. I am mostly just going to be researching and emailing, no games. I just what something basic as inexpensive as possible. We only have one cable company, which I have posted about and may bomb.[just kidding cia]rolleyes or am i
Any input appreciated.
Sheena

 

Does your local phone company have DSL? I've heard some people complain about the one I'm with but I've been satisfied with them. The phone service is required by law (maybe it's just a state law where I'm at but I think it's federal) that they need to be up and running 99.9% of the time. If not they get fined, so they're usually pretty reliable. In the years I've had it it's only been down once or twice.

AT&T has local presence with your cell phone service, but I've yet to see any coverage maps with them so don't know how their DSL service is. Basically speaking if you're in an area with no DSL you can either go with cable (if it's offered), satellite (if you want the long term contracts) or stick with dial up. Unfortunately you're not guaranteed to have DSL even in metropolitan areas. There is no law saying the companies need to put it in and if the companies don't forsee enough revenue potential they won't bother in that neighborhood. What's in your neighborhood is something you have to find out.