The ISP, or Internet Service Provider, is the system whereby people are able to use their computers to communicate with the world. Someone once said that a computer with a poor ISP is nothing more than a glorified typewriter, and though this may be a bit of exaggeration, the statement most definitely has a point. ISP’s are not all created equal, with many differences in capabilities, quality and price. It pays to study these differences, in order to meet your personal needs. Here are some things you should know:
How important is speed of connection? – “Faster is better” is the mantra for those who use the computer for more than a mail-box, and fiber-optic-service, or FiOS, is the fastest type of service currently available to the public.
Availability of service – Where you live and work may put limits on the types of service available. Cable service, for example, among the faster types of connection, does not reach many rural areas.
Reliability of service – Just because a company advertises high-speed doesn’t mean you will get good service. A fast car that breaks down a lot doesn’t win many races.
What do you need from your internet? – Before you choose a provider, you should decide how you plan to use your computer. If you merely need it to check e-mail, you might need nothing more than a slow, but inexpensive, dial-up connection.
Cost – If the monthly bill is the most important qualifier, the slow dial-up may be your only choice, but, even here, you need to compare the prices of competing phone companies. At any level of service, most companies offer various “bundling” packages, which can consolidate billing, sometimes at lower prices.
Same company, different location – Service within a company can vary widely, so that a provider you had difficulties with in one area may prove to be your best bet in another part of the country.
Support – If you have a problem with your service when you have a deadline to meet, it won’t help you if the technical support team is “gone fishing”. Make sure the company you choose will be there to assist you when you need their help.
Your contract – Contracts vary widely from provider to provider, and within companies. Carefully check for length and overall cost, which can bear little resemblance to an advertised price.
Travel – What works well at home may or may not fulfill your needs if you are on the road. Make sure that you can access your service not only in Paris, Kentucky, but in Paris, France, as well.
Equipment – You probably own your own computer, but what about any other soft-ware and hard-ware, and who is responsible when there is a breakdown of any equipment. For instance, If the lap-top air card keeps kicking you off the internet, do you have to pay for a new one, or does your provider replace a faulty unit for free?
There is a lot more to choosing a provider than merely glancing at advertised speeds and prices, so ask around, do your research and pay attention to the details.
