How to select a high speed internet provider, ISP

Here a list of points that could be important when selecting an ISP for your high speed internet:

• Which technologies can be delivered to your home. You will probably have a least two choice: Your cable TV provider and your phone provider.
• What is the price of the services (this will range from about $30/month to $99/month).
• What speed is offered by the ISP (and at what price?).
• If you will need some help make sure this company can provide the good support (many support centers nowadays can be frustrating).
• What will be the set-up cost (they often run special offers with $0 setup. It does not hurt to ask, they might give you fee setup).
• Do they offer free dial-up in case you are on the road away from home ?
• Do they offer 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 you are a customer, verify the speed you receive and do not hesitate to report problems with your connection. I had to get out of my 1 year contract with Covad, just a few weeks into it, since they could not deliver the speed I had purchase. In fact that connection was so bad it was "down" most of the time.