Choosing an Internet Service Provider
Choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a lot like buying
a car. Knowing a little about what you are buying will go a long
way in providing you with the best choice. Here are some suggestions.
The Importance of Local Access
If you live in a rural area, you may not have the option of choosing
an Internet service provider with a local access number for your
area. If you spend lots of time online, your wallet will soon feel
the pinch, even at bargain rates of five cents per minute. It's
tough to find an ideal solution — a national service provider with
toll-free access — so your best bet may be to go with an ISP that
offers free or inexpensive monthly access to counteract your phone
bills.
Good Technical Support Is Key
The best ISPs make getting online as easy as making a phone call.
At some point, however, you will probably encounter some type of
problem, so be sure to choose an ISP with reliable technical support.
If you're planning to use a local ISP, ask friends and business
associates which provider they use. Local providers usually offer
more personalized service, but they generally aren't available to
help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The larger ISPs usually
have technical support at all hours.
The Need for Speed
The faster you can download Web pages and files, the happier you'll
be. Most ISPs support V.90-based 56Kbps connections — more than
fast enough for e-mail and acceptable for Web surfing. But for about
$50-$60 a month, you can go nearly 100 times faster with a cable
modem. Call your local cable company or visit its Web page to find
out if you have access in your area.
Another home access option is a digital subscriber line (DSL)
at around $50 per month for 640Kbps service. DSL is not available
everywhere, so check with your local cable and phone companies to
see if it's an option in your area.
Limited or Unlimited Access?
If you plan to use your service sparingly, it may not be worth
it to you to spend $14.95 to $21.95 per month for unlimited access.
Many ISPs offer metered pricing and lots of local numbers. With
these payment plans, you pay a smaller monthly fee but have a limited
time online. Be careful with this type of plan, though, because
if you go over your allotted time, you'll be charged extra.
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