Choosing an Internet Service Provider

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Choosing an Internet Service Provider

As the Internet becomes more popular, both in e-commerce and personal computer use, the need for Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) grows. With so many ISP’s now in operation, the choices for service are vast and the process of finding the right provider for your needs has become much more involved than when the Internet first became accessible to the public.

The first step in choosing an ISP is to know what you need. Will you be using the Internet for business or personal use? What type of work will you be doing on the Internet? Will you be connecting more than one computer (i.e. connecting a network)?

What modem speed do you have? Once you have determined your needs, it will be simpler to determine what ISP will be able to provide the best service for you.

Some important things to consider, and questions to ask when shopping for an Internet Service Provider are:

1. Connectivity – How does the ISP connect to the rest of the Internet? This can have a large effect on your web surfing, web sites, or other Internet related activities. It is important to know what speed they are connecting at, what types of cables they are using, what type of network they are on, and what type of hardware or software they are using.

The term ‘bandwidth’ relates to the amount of traffic that the ISP’s cabling can carry at any one time. If there are lots of users, and lower bandwidth, you will experience a much slower connection. You should be looking for a provider with at least a T1 connection. Check to make sure that your modem is fast enough to support your Internet use. Most providers recommend at least a 28.8kbps modem.

2. Accessibility – How many incoming modem lines does...

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... just some of a few critical issues that must be explored before choosing your connection to the Internet. If you are an experienced computer user, price, user ratio, network access, modem speed, and the type of business you are dealing with are likely your main concerns. If you are a new user to computers, the personal contact and technical support capabilities should carry additional weight. The bottom line is that mass access to the Internet is relatively new, and as such there are vast differences in what various Internet Service Providers offer, do a bit of investigation, it will pay off.

Bibliography:

“Choosing Your Internet Service Provider: What You Need to Know” Online, www.

“How to Select an Internet Provider For Your Business” Online, http: //www. bosbbb.org/lit/0348.htm.

“Learning the Internet for Business” DDC Publishing, 1999

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