How to Choose an Internet Service Provider

By eHow Computers Editor

Rate: (14 Ratings)

These days, a computer without Internet access is like a car with flat tires--it works, but it won't get you very far. To get online, you need an Internet service provider (ISP). You have two general choices: dialup service, which is cheap but slow; and broadband service, which is more expensive and much faster.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Determine your needs. Do you want to send and receive e-mail and occasionally surf the Web? An inexpensive dial-up account, which uses regular telephone lines, is probably enough. If you want to connect to your office network, play online games, or download and exchange music and video files, you'll want a speedy broadband connection, such as DSL or cable.
Step2
Find out what hardware is needed. For a dial-up account, a modem is required. Broadband service uses a network interface card (NIC), sometimes called an Ethernet connection. Both are standard equipment on newer computers.
Step3
Ask your friends and neighbors what Internet service they use and whether they're satisfied with it. Customer service varies from region to region, especially with broadband providers, so seek out a local recommendation.
Step4
Dial-up users should make sure an ISP has local access numbers (telephone numbers) in your area to avoid long-distance charges.
Step5
Check for DSL and cable broadband providers in your area. (DSL ISPs use telephone wiring, while cable ISPs use cable TV wiring.) For technical reasons, DSL is sometimes not available in rural or suburban areas.
Step6
Ask potential broadband providers about package deals. Cable companies may discount Internet access if you buy cable TV service, and phone companies sometimes offer DSL-telephone packages.
Step7
Consider other broadband options. Try satellite broadband if you live in a rural area. People in some urban areas can get broadband access from a fixed wireless ISP, which use flat, square antennae mounted on your roof to send and receive Internet traffic via radio waves. Some brand-new housing developments have built-in fiber-optic Internet access.
Step8
Get a T-1 line only if you have heavy use and serious business needs, as this service can cost $500 or more per month.
Step9
Choose AOL if you want to take advantage of some of its special features, such as content from Time Inc. magazines like Sports Illustrated or People. If you have a broadband connection, you can still use AOL with a "bring your own access" account that costs a little more than half of the usual $24-per-month AOL dialup price. AOL is useful if you travel a lot with a laptop because you can use its toll-free number almost anywhere.

What to Look For:

  • Broadband versus dial-up service
  • Appropriate hardware connections
  • Recommendations
  • Local access numbers
  • Package deals with telephone or TV service
  • Satellite, fixed wireless, or fiber-optic connections

Tips & Warnings

  • A broadband connection can be shared by several computers. See How to Network Your Computers.
  • Some experts recommend choosing an ISP that does not require you to install its own specialized software on your computer.
  • With a broadband connection, your computer is always connected to the Internet. Get firewall software to protect against potential snoopers. See How to Buy Computer Software.
  • In the fast and furious internet world, even big name ISPs go out of business. This means you'll have to find a new service, and possibly a new email address. See How to Get an Internet Domain Name for an easier solution.

Comments

| View All Comments
docsharp76

docsharp76 said

Flag This Comment

on 5/23/2008 Good article about choosing and ISP. More info is at
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/T1-Internet-Service.html
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/Satellite-DSL.html
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/Satellite-Internet.html

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 Be careful when ISPs brag about their cheap prices. An ISP that does 1meg BB at £15 per month is likely to provide a more secure and reliable service than a 4 meg connection at the same price!

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Choose an Internet Service Provider

eHow Computers Editor

eHow Computers Editor

Category: Computers

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads