Julie, what internet provider are you using at the mo. ntl, BT, AOL, etc
Each of these companies do a broadband service nowadays that is very likely to be not much more than you a paying for your dial-up 56k connection now.
I was on NTLWorld dialup and mved up to Broadband 150k. Its great cos you can be online weneva and the phone can still be used. it costs us £17.99 a month but considering we were paying £10 a month for a dial-up its definately worth the extra money.
Have a think about it