Industry Tips
Internet Service Provider
The following comments provide general information for consumers, and do not necessarily reflect the practices or record of any particular company.
Do your homework when choosing an Internet service provider (ISP). First determine if the ISP has an access number that is a local phone call for you. Keep in mind long distance charges. Near larger cities this should not be a problem however if you live in a rural area this may be more difficult. If you can't find an ISP with a local access number, be sure to get the best long distance rate possible.
Price may be a factor. Most providers offer a monthly fixed, flat-rate with unlimited online time. If you are only on the internet for brief periods, you may want pricing that reflects the actual time online. Ask about discounts but keep in mind the lowest price is not always the best deal. Find out what features are in the price, such as e-mail, Web page hosting, filters for downloading, etc.
You may need a provider that will help you get up and running. Look for a sevice that offers a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week support and preferably an 800 or local phone number. Call the number at the times you expect to contact the company and see how often you get a busy signal, etc. If you have internet access already, check the company's web site and see how informative it is and how easy it is to navigate.
Find out if the ISP has enough modems and if it has sufficient bandwidth to the Internet to properly support all of the users who log on.
Finally, ask for recommendations from friends and coworkers.