How to Start a DSL ISP

Starting an Internet Service Provider or ISP is an expensive venture. When you reap success through the ISP, the expense becomes a worthwhile investment. DSL which is the acronym for digital subscriber line or digital subscriber loop has made connections between the ISP and the customer extremely fast and extremely easy to use compared to the dial up system that could transmit viewer bytes at a slower pace.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Licenses
• Sufficient funds to cover initial expenses
• Phone system
• Five PCs
• Security equipment
• Billing software
• Invoicing software
• DSALM DSL access multiplexer
• Trans receivers
• 24 channel Primary Rate Interface (PRI)
• Access servers
• Modems
• Routers
• Ethernet cables
• Sales and marketing plan

1. Start the ISP by getting a license. Both State and federal licenses are required to start an ISP. You need to provide the Government with information of your employer ID number and your domain name registration. You should also apply for a trademark to protect the unique name of your ISP from being used by other ISPs.

2. Arrange for the required funds to set up the ISP. You should get a checking account and a pre-approved credit line. You should also get ISP billing software, accounting software and an invoicing system. All these software are easily available over the counter. Get ledger software than can track accounts receivable and payable and check customer usage and overages.

3. Arrange your five dedicated PCs and install all the software. One PC should be dedicated for the DNS or your domain name system, one for mail, one for web both Httpd and Https authentication and one for news. The fifth PC should be used for the financial part of the enterprise and all the accounting and invoicing software should be loaded on it. Install a good quality security system in the PCs. Assemble the DSALM so that it can connect to customer trans receivers or modems easily.

4. Purchase an Internet feed and local loop from a regional or national backbone provider. You should purchase a 24 channel PRI or primary rate interface circuit to connect to customer modems effectively. A single PRI should feed over 200 connections. Many backbone providers give free network news Relay Protocol free with the PRI which will help you run a Usenet service.

5. Get a good marketing plan ready with all details of the unique services you offer potential customers and how you intend to serve them better than other ISPs. An effective marketing plan is required to build the customer base of an ISP.

Tips & Warnings

• If the backbone provider offers the free Network News Relay Protocol NNRP, you should not think of buying the equipment. You can give the impression to the customer that the Usenet is a value added service offered by you.
• Starting a DSL ISP can come with large initial expenses and profits may not roll in fast. It is therefore important that you have sufficient funds to finance the enterprise.