We've used Verizon's Broadband Service on our laptop for over 6 years. Since we travel often it is very nice to be able to take it with us. We have a router so that we both can access wireless Internet any time. Our own little WiFi hot spot! You can do anything that you can do with any Internet connection. Actually, we're drinking our coffee while looking over the Atlantic Ocean from a state park in South Carolina right now! You will not need any other service like AOL or Earthlink as Verizon provides you with direct access. We use GMail for our email accounts. It's free and they even provide you with Pop3 ability. Our Verizon Broadband cost us $60 a month. I believe they have a more limited service for about $40.