Recently, the Internet has become an important part of the daily life of many people who are online at home and at work. An Internet Service Provider (ISP) connects your computer to the Internet through a vast network of computers known as the World Wide Web. ISPs offer a wide variety of services, in addition to connecting you to the Internet. To get good service at the best price, consider what kind of Internet access and extra services you really need.
Connecting to the Internet
An ISP is the connection between your computer and the Internet. There are a number of ways to connect your computer to an ISP, which provide various speeds at which your data is transmitted. The speed at which data is transmitted between computers is measured in kilobits per second (Kbps) and megabits per second (Mbps).
Dial-up Service: With dial-up service, your computer uses a regular telephone line to call the ISP’s computers every time you want to use the Internet. This service provides a basic connection, at 56 Kbps or slower. This type of service is good for infrequent users or those who only need the most basic services, such as email and surfing the World Wide Web. A dial-up connection is slow for users who want to download large files like music or video, or use more sophisticated Web services. Unlimited dial-up service generally costs about $20 to $25 per month, with small set up fees. Telephone modems, the only piece of equipment your computer needs to connect to an ISP in this manner, are built into almost all new computers. Dial-up service ties up your telephone line and usually makes it impossible for you to handle calls while connected to the Internet; however, some newer modems allow calls to come through. Dial-up service is offered by a number of companies. Be sure that the dial-up provider offers service through a local telephone number in your area. If you have to make a long distance call to connect, the costs can quickly get very high.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network): ISDN is a digital telephone connection to an ISP’s computers. It runs faster than dial-up service, between 64-128 Kbps, but is significantly more expensive. While this connection uses your regular telephone line, it allows you to make regular telephone calls and use the Internet simultaneously. ISDN service requires a special modem, which you can get through the company that provides the service. ISDN is rarely used by consumers. Most phone companies have stopped offering it in favor of DSL, although they do provide support for existing customers.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): DSL is a very high speed Internet connection, which also uses your regular telephone line. You can use the line to make regular phone calls while you are connected to the Internet. DSL is a continuous connection to the Internet — it is always on, and you never have to dial up for service. DSL for residential use is usually much faster for downloading (up to 1.5 Mbps) than for uploading (128-384 Kbps). DSL also runs faster the closer you are to the phone company’s central office, and it is not available if you live more than a certain distance from the local central office. DSL service requires a separate modem, which is often provided by the ISP. The cost for DSL averages $50-90 per month.
CableInternet Access: Cable television service companies can now also provide Internet service, using their cables to deliver a fast, continuous connection. There may be only one cable television company in your area that can provide such service. Connection speeds range from 500 Kbps up to more than 1 Mbps. The downloading speed is often faster than the speed for sending data. Service generally costs $40-50 per month, plus the cost of purchasing a special cable modem ($100-300), although local providers frequently offer promotions with reduced prices for cable modems. This service may be cheaper if you subscribe to cable TV at the same time.
Wireless Web and Email: There are a number of devices, including cellular telephones, that can connect users to the Internet without a wired computer connection. Consumers can use these devices to connect to the Internet from anywhere. The downloading speed for these connections is fairly slow, but the technology is developing, and the sophistication of the devices and connections is increasing.
Types of Additional Internet Services
All ISPs now offer a number of additional services for the basic service fee. Access to the World Wide Web and at least one email address are standard. Other services may include:
Instant Messaging: Instant messaging services allow users to contact each other directly and more immediately than regular email. Generally, only subscribers to the same service can contact each other directly.
Subscriber Only Chat Rooms: Chat rooms are online sites where users with similar interests can come together, talk, and communicate with people all over the world. Some ISPs offer chat rooms that only subscribers can access, as part of an "online community" of subscribers.
Web Pages: Most ISPs offer the ability to set up Web pages at no additional cost, with space for additional pages available at an extra charge. The ISPs often offer Web publishing software to make creating your Web page easier.
Anti-Spam Services: "Spam" is unsolicited mass email, usually selling some type of online service. Many ISPs have filters that can be formatted by the user to prevent these messages from filling up the user’s mailbox.
Family Accounts: Some ISPs offer family accounts, with extra email boxes and child protection software included in one price. This allows a number of people in the same household to access the Internet using the same account.
Avoiding Potential Problems
"Free" Service Offers
Offers of low cost or free Internet service can be very tempting. Be aware that consumers frequently complain about difficulties in using such services, and often there is little or no technical support for problems. It is important to examine the fine print in these kinds of offers, to determine whether they provide the service that you need.
Some companies offer free service for a brief introductory period. After the introductory period is over, you will be billed for future service.
Some companies offer prepaid Internet services along with a computer purchase, usually for a one to three year contract. The monthly rate for the service is often discounted by paying in advance. Consumers should know that these contracts are difficult to cancel if you are dissatisfied with the service and are worth little if you already have Internet access.
Security
Connecting your computer to the Internet opens your computer to the world, which may leave you vulnerable to viruses and other computer attacks. With dial-up service, consumers may download viruses or other problems onto their own computers. With "always-on" connections such as DSL, ISDN, or cable Internet, these dangers are magnified because the computer is always connected to the Internet. Because your computer now has a permanent presence and address on the Internet, your computer may become a target for online criminals looking to pilfer your computer or use it to launch attacks against other targets. Many ISPs offer personal firewalls and virus protection software to guard against these attacks.
Consumers with dial-up service generally only need virus protection software, which many ISPs offer for free, may come with your computer, or can be purchased elsewhere. This software scans your computer’s files for viruses. Consumers with "always-on" connections should use a personal firewall in addition to virus protection software. A personal firewall is software that protects your computer from incoming attacks. Both virus protection software and firewall software must be updated regularly, as there are always new threats to Internet security.
Checklist
- Does the ISP provide the kind of connection you want (dial-up, DSL, etc)?
- Which kinds of service does the ISP provide in your local area?
- What level of technical support is available from the ISP — Web or email only, or can you call for support?
- Does the ISP provide software for connecting? Most companies provide this for free, but check this before signing up.
- Check the ISP’s reliability rating with your area Better Business Bureau before you do business with them.
- Check Web sites that provide information and links to ratings of ISPs, such as thelist.internet.com and isplist.com; also, get recommendations from other Internet users.
For more information on the Internet and specific Internet services, check the following Web sites:
cablemodemhelp.com
computeruser.com
dslreport.com
isplist.com
firewallguide.com
To file a complaint about an Internet Service Provider, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP or
www.ftc.gov.
For more information on a specific ISP or to file a complaint, contact the Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York. For immediate assistance, call 212-533-6200. The charge is $3.80 plus tax, charged to a major credit card. Consumers can also call 900-555-4BBB. The charge is 95 cents per minute. For free information or to file a complaint, visit our Web site at www.newyork.bbb.org, or write to
257 Park Avenue South
New York NY 10010-7384.
December 2001
Sponsored by AT&T
