How to select an ISP

Here a list of points that could be important when selecting an ISP:

• What is the price of the services (this will range from about $10/month to $25/month)
• What speed is offered by the ISP (for maximum speed make sure they support V92)
• If you will need some help make sure this company can provide the good support (many support centers nowadays can be frustrating)
• Make sure the ISP has one or more local phone number (so it will not cost you anything to connect)
• If you plan on traveling make sure they also offer a local number, where you will be located.
• If your ISP limit the number of hours of connection per month (pretty rare nowadays) make sure you will not need to use the internet usage fit that allocation. It might be best to go for an unlimited type account (most ISPs offer unlimited dialup connection time)
• Try to choose an ISP that offer an "accelerator", a good accelerator will make web surfing (HTML pages) seem like you are using Broadband.
• Any other software like (anti-spam, anti-virus, security, site-restrictions) can be a plus. Although you can buy these software on your own, don't base your decision just on these "add-ons", since they are usually "marketing gift" that are not as powerful then the commercial versions.
• If you plan on using multiple emails addresses or hosting your own website, check the ISP's offering and add-ons prices, if application.

 

Once a "dialup customer", do not hesitate to switch to another ISP, if you determine that

• Your ISP is using old equipment (slow speed...)
• Your ISP has over-subscribed their modem bank (busy signals...).
  This is usually a think of the past but their might still be some ISPs in this situation.