WebJunction - Internet Connections

A dial-up connection is the original way people accessed the Internet - through the telephone line via a modem -- before high-speed, broadband connections were available to the general population.

However, today there are more choices. Before you go with a dial-up Internet connection, make sure that it is the connection that best suits your needs. While, you can share a dial-up connection with multiple computers, a dedicated, "always on" connection can give faster (usually) access for multiple computers without tying up your phone lines. If you do need a dial-up connection (because dedicated access is not available or affordable in your area), make sure you get a flat-rate, 56K connection. If you need access the Internet on the road, make sure that you go with a provider that has local numbers in cities that you visit so that you can avoid incurring long distance charges.

There are hundreds of Internet service providers (ISPs) all over the country. It isn't particularly hard to find a dial-up ISP, and many companies have entered into this growing field. While ISP monopolies are forming as large companies buy up their competitors, the dial-up ISP market is much more extensive than the dedicated access (xDSL, ISDN, T1/T3) provider market. Because, there are so many ISPs available, it can be hard to choose one that provides your library with the services it needs at an affordable price.

Availability

There is no need to get information about any ISP that doesn't provide service in your area. So, before you begin comparing and asking questions, you need to find out what ISPs are available to you. Check any of these sites for availability in your area:

Get the numbers

To further limit your search, you should decide whether or not you need service outside of your area code. If you don't need to access the Internet outside of your area code, you may want to only look for a local provider. However, if you travel (or if anyone in your library travels) anywhere outside of your area code, you need to ensure that your ISP covers that area code with a POP (point of presence -- basically a local phone number). If your ISP doesn't provide a local access number in the area you need to access the Internet, you will have to make a long distance phone call to use your account (or find a library with a computer lab). An important note: Many national ISPs provide 1-800 numbers for access outside of your local area code. While it seems like you get toll-free access to the Internet, that isn't the case. The 1-800 numbers they provide are not tool-free. Instead, they act more like 1-900 numbers -- charging your library by the minute.

Speed matters

The fastest modem doesn't do you any good if your ISP doesn't support that speed. If you have a 56K modem, and your ISP only supports 33.6K, you will only be able to access the Internet at that speed. Therefore, it's very important to ask your ISP what speed modems they use. If you plan to upgrade your modem, make sure the ISP supports the higher speed. Another speed consideration is your ISP's direct connection to the Internet. You should look for a T1 or T3 connection. T3 is faster, but T1 is adequate. Beware of ISDN and 56K connections -- either may be too slow for your library's needs.

User-to-modem ratio

Many organizations are intimately familiar with an ISP busy signal. A busy signal is caused when your ISP has too many customers (users) trying to gain access to too few connections (modems). While it would be ideal if your ISP provided you with your own personal connection to the Internet, they usually bet on the fact that not all of their customers will be trying to gain access at the same time. They usually have a certain number of modems for a certain number of users -- the user-to-modem ratio. You should look for an ISP with a user-to-modem ratio of 10-to-1 or less. Beware of ISPs that do not have any policy for this ratio. While it may mean they don't get complaints, it usually means they aren't going to make any guarantees about your service.

Don't forget support

It's always amusing to discover that some ISPs only provide customer support via e-mail. While that may be an efficient way to contact them when your Internet connection is working, it's hard to send e-mail when you can't get online. While you may not need it, it is always nice to have 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, toll-free phone support. The best way to find out about an ISP's customer support is to test it. Try calling them to ask some questions about their service. If the person answering the phone seems to know less about dial-up Internet access than you, it may be an indication that the company doesn't provide particularly good technical service. You should also take the time to query your library colleagues about their experiences with different ISPs. There are a couple of Web sites that also provide user reviews:

Extras

Many ISPs try to attract customers with some freebies. If you need the services, it can be a bonus. If you're not going to use it, you may be paying for something you don't need.

POP3 E-mail Addresses -- Many ISPs provide you with a POP3 e-mail address as part of your account. You should be able to access your e-mail with any e-mail client (i.e., Outlook, Eudora, Pegasus Mail).
Web Hosting -- Free Web space may come with your account. You can also look for deals on domain hosting.
Software -- Nearly all ISPs will give you a free CD with Web browser and e-mail software. If you don't have either, it can save you some download time.

Price and service

Last, but certainly not least, you should consider price. The ISP market is very competitive. If you have the time to shop around, you should be able to find excellent, unlimited access for about $20 per month (for a single computer). Here are a couple of buying tips:

Look out for high set-up and activation fees.
Make sure you have unlimited access -- beware of per-minute charges.
Look for a money-back guarantee if you are dissatisfied with the service.
Look for pay up-front discounts -- you may get a deal if you pay for a year (or six months) up-front.