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September 2nd, 2008

How to Choose an Internet Service Provider

An Internet Service Provider, ISP, is a company that provides a gateway to the Internet for individuals and companies. In its simplest form, connecting to the Internet requires a telephone line to dial up an ISP using a computer and modem. The ISP then provides the route onto the Internet.

Choosing an Internet Service Provider requires a simple first step. Ask yourself: “What do I want to use the Internet for?” If you can answer this, you can then start to work out your requirements.

Answers to the question “What do I want to use the Internet for?” can include:

- How much will I use the Internet each month?
- What time of day will I use it?
- Do I need web space?
- Is customer support important to me?
- How many e-mail addresses will I need?
- Can the ISP support online payments?
- How much does it cost?

Another question to ask is “How long has the ISP been in business?” This might not seem important but in this industry ISP’s come and go quite regularly. Running an ISP requires extensive computer knowledge, experience and quality hardware, not to mention a reliable line into the Internet, plenty of good modems and adequate customer support.

Different types of Internet service

Dial-up: connects to the ISP using a modem. This is the most basic, slowest and cheapest option.

DSL: popular high speed internet service. It uses a regular telephone line to connect to the Internet, however it is faster that dial-up and allows you to access the Internet and use the phone at the same time.

Cable: high speed Internet service that uses your TV cable.

Satellite: It connects to the Internet using a satellite dish. It is more expensive than other options but allows people leaving in isolated areas to access the Internet.

Wireless: Connect to the Internet while you are away from home. Allows people to travel with their laptops and access the Internet from hot spots worldwide.

The next step should be to start calling the Internet Service Providers in your area or visiting their websites for more information. A good way to find out about a particular ISP in your area is to ask people who use it or try it yourself. On the Internet there are good ISP’s directories that you may want to visit as well.

The author is Ronald Vyhmeister, visit his website at High Speed Internet Providers (http://www.allisp.info).
Feel free to use this article in your website or newsletter, but keep this author box with live links.

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September 1st, 2008

Broadband Versus Dial Up Internet Access

Broadband Internet service has become a “must have” for
those already enjoying the high speed Internet provided by
cable broadband, DSL, or T1 services. Still, many dial up
Internet users are reluctant to make the switch to broadband
due to the increased cost in Internet access, and fail to
recognize broadband’s money saving potential.

Broadband Internet is so much more than lightning fast web
browsing. Along with broadband Internet emerges opportunity
to take advantage of new money saving technologies not
available to dial up Internet users. Broadband phone and the
up and coming IP TV are just a couple examples of the newest
technologies dial up users are missing out on.

Broadband Internet users also save money by downloading
their own music, games, and even movies instead of renting
or purchasing them for a much higher price from a retail
outlet. Of course dial up users can do this as well, but not
in a very timely fashion since it could take up to a couple
of hours just to download a simple song.

Broadband Internet rates have reduced dramatically within
the course of the last five years. High speed Internet can
now be purchased for as little as fourteen dollars a month
in some places, and usually has a top end comfort level of
around fifty dollars or less per month. This means broadband
can sometimes be even cheaper than dial up ISP.

Broadband Internet is probably one of the few services that
end with the customer never having buyers remorse. Broadband
is just one of those things that people find many useful and
even practical applications for. An entire book could be,
and probably has been written about the usefulness of
broadband Internet access.

If you have been considering making the switch to broadband,
you’ll find many vendors these days offer incentives such as
reduced cost for service, free equipment, and rebates to
ease the burden of any start up cost for high speed
broadband Internet service. In the end, broadband is just as
affordable yet better and faster than dial up Internet.

Daymon Hoag is the Editor for Cheapest Service and provisioner of Cheapest-Service.com High Speed Internet

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August 30th, 2008

Internet Service Providers

Internet Service Provider or ISP is a company that provides access to the Internet.

Before choosing an ISP, it is important to assess your company’s business and marketing goals. You should find out what your organization will be using the Internet for. Once you’ve determined this, you can contact ISPs that serve your geographic area and ask them about their services. Those questions below will help you better understand that your local ISP offers.

Technical Questions About Reliability

1. Does the connection work at all hours of the day?

2. When are you busiest?

3. Does the connection support the speeds/types of hardware/software you want to use? Have specific questions to ask them. Know your operating system and the software that you need to use. Does the provider support 56K? Does it use the U.S. Robotics’ x2 or Rockwell/Lucent’s K56flex standard or both of them?

Technical Support and Troubleshooting

1. Is support part of normal service or an added cost?

2. What are the hours of coverage for network operations?

3. Is telephone support available via a local call, 800 number, or long distance?

4. Is there technical help available via e-mail? If yes who answers the questions and how soon?

5. Is there help and/or manuals available online?

6. Is there a user-friendly interface to Internet resources?

7. What software is provided and/or required?

8. Are the Internet tools that you need (such as e-mail, telnet, FTP, Usenet/News, Gopher, WAIS, WWW, or Lynx) available?

Business Arrangements and References

1. Are free trial connections available?

2. What local and 800 phone numbers are available for you to use?

3. Can multiple users access the same billing account simultaneously?

4. Can multiple user IDs/mailboxes use the same billing account?

5. Are there surcharges for any types of connections or particular hours of the day?

6. What kind of contract or services agreement is required?

7. What options are available for billing and payments? Discounts for pre-payments?

8. Are there refunds for early termination or if service is not satisfactory?

9. Are there any options that will reduce (or increase) your costs?

10. Are group discounts available? (Start your own group!)

11. After placing an order, how long does it take to make the connection active?

12. Are there charges for file storage?

13. Is space for Web pages included?

14. If you travel and want to access the Internet while you are on the road, ask about accessing your ISP from the cities you visit.

15. How long has the provider been in business?

16. Can you get answers to your questions in writing?

17. Ask for names of two to three similar users and check with them regarding their experience.

Written by Helen Peshkova, RichTrack.com.

http://www.RichTrack.com is one of the first business oriented education portals. It’s the leading online business information network for millionaires. The goal of RichTrack.com is to present business content in a professional, helpful and practical format that helps you getting rich.

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