Choosing An Internet Provider
There are a large number of Internet Service Providers available - each charging different
monthly fees and offering different features. Whether you are signing up with your first Internet
Service Provider or are looking to make a change from your existing service, it is always good to
shop around for a provider that meets your particular budget and usage needs.
NOTE: Students using AOL as their Internet Provider may experience difficulties in
accessing databases and other library resources from off-campus.
- Before making any decision regarding an Internet Service Provider look at the complete
"package" being offered to you and then choose the service that works best for you. For example,
you may not want to pay extra for unlimited usage if you know you only want to search the web a few
hours per week.
- Look at the service agreement and be clear about cancellation policies and the duration of the
contract.
- If your provider is a dial-up service, make sure that the ISP's modem line is a local or toll
free call from your area code. Remember that downloads on a modem line, even at 56K will be very
slow.
- Look at the extras that are provided by the ISP and evaluate whether they are useful to you.
- Check with friends or colleagues to see what kind of service they use and whether they have
been satisfied.
Find Other Providers
To find out about providers in your area, you may want to use an Internet Service Provider
Search Engine such as
ISPCheck
or
The List.
When you go to the ISPCheck website, choose either
Dialup Access or
Residential Broadband from the
Connectivity section menu on the left side of the screen. These allow you to enter
an area code and search a national database for providers in that area code. You will get
information about monthly charges, limitations on access, and special services.
For more information you may also
want to check out this internet service provider section.
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