Internet Service Provider Options and Pointers

Chapter Four

Internet Service Provider Options and Pointers

Everyone seems to be talking about the Internet these days. Every television commercial points you to a Web site with more information. At this stage of the game, you should be considering how you want to connect to the Internet. Most users subscribe to an Internet service provider (ISP) for their dial-in access. An ISP serves to link you to the Internet when you need access, saving you from paying for a 24-hour connection.

In this lesson, you can find answers to the following questions:

• What features should I look for in an ISP?
• What is the average cost of an ISP?
• Should I use a national or local ISP?
• What questions should I ask if I want a Web site?

I'll try to answer these questions and more as you go in search of an Internet service provider.

Types of Connections

This section explains the different connection options available to you. The one you use--modem, ISDN, cable modem, T1 line, or T3 line--depends on many factors, with cost being one of the greatest determiners.

Modems

A modem is an electronic device that converts computer data into audio signals. These audio signals can then be transmitted over a normal phone line. At the receiving end, another modem converts the audio signals back into computer data.

Modems can be internal, part of the original computer system, or purchased as external components. On either configuration, you have a jack for connecting your phone line and the data line from your computer. You also have to install special software on the machine to dial out with the modem connection.

The speed of a current modem is measured in kilobits per second (kbps). The most common speeds are 14.4 and 28.8 kbps. Modems running at 33.6 kbps are currently available, although not many ISPs are capable of supporting this speed.

ISDN

ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. ISDN lines are connections that use ordinary phone lines to transmit digital instead of analog signals. With digital signals, data can be transmitted at a much faster rate than with a traditional modem.

ISDN converts audio signals--your voice, for example--into digital bits. Because bits can be transmitted very quickly, you can get much faster speed out of the same telephone line--four times faster than a 14.4 kbps modem, in fact. In addition, ISDN connections are made up of two different channels, allowing two simultaneous "conversations"; you therefore can speak on one channel and send a fax or connect to the Internet over the other channel. All these transactions occur on the same ordinary phone line currently plugged into your telephone. Your local telephone company can tell you if ISDN is available in your area.

ISDN is a powerful tool for Internet communications, but it is not available everywhere. Traditionally, it has been used in urban business zones and large corporate settings with special digital switching equipment, but residential ISDN service is expanding rapidly. If you're shopping for an Internet service provider that offers you ISDN, be sure to consider the equipment costs. An ISDN line can offer you inexpensive, high-bandwidth connections, but you may have to buy special hardware that will allow ISDN to communicate with your home or corporate machines.

Cable Modems

Cable modems may be the next great leap in "at-home" connection solutions. It would be great to have the speed of the T1 line you may have at work available to your home PC. Even if you dial in to your office you are still held to the speed of the modem connected to your computer using the normal phone lines.

Enter the cable modem. Your computer is hooked not to your phone line but to your coaxial television cable. Cable modems are targeted toward the Internet enthusiast with the need for speed. According to some accounts, the fastest cable modems will be capable of receiving data at 10 Mbps and sending it at 768 Kbps.

The suggested fee for that cable-modem service may fetch about $30 to $40 monthly. Including the $600 price tag on the modems themselves, this will be one substantial upgrade that many veteran Net surfers are willing to make.

Getting your hands on the hardware may be the easy part. Only certain areas are experimenting with the use of cable modems, but their use is rapidly expanding. Contact your local cable company to see whether it is planning to carry Internet access with cable modems.

T1 Line

A T1 line is a high-speed digital connection capable of transmitting data at a rate of approximately 1.5 million bits per second. A T1 line is typically used by small and medium-sized companies with heavy network traffic.

This line is large enough to send and receive large text files, graphics, sounds, and databases instantaneously, and it works at the fastest speed commonly used to connect networks to the Internet. Sometimes referred to as a leased line, a T1 line is basically too large and too expensive for individual home use.

T3 Line

A T3 line is a super high-speed connection capable of transmitting data at a rate of 45 million bits per second. This connection represents a bandwidth equal to about 672 regular voice-grade telephone lines. A T3 line is wide enough to transmit full-motion, real-time video and very large databases over a busy network.

A T3 line is typically installed as a major networking artery for large corporations and universities with high-volume network traffic. The backbones of the major Internet service providers, for example, are made up of T3 lines.

Ten Questions for Your ISP

If you're treading into an unknown area trying to find an ISP, arming yourself with some basic information is a good idea. The following questions should help you decide which ISP is going to get your business. If an ISP skirts the issue when you ask tough questions, strongly consider looking elsewhere. Just as in any other business, you can find good ISPs and bad ISPs. 1. What is the price structure?
Some providers offer flat-rate fees for a certain number of hours online; for example, $15.00 for unlimited hours of connection time. Others structure their rates so that you pay $15.00 for the first 20 hours online and $1.50 an hour after that. Most ISPs charge your monthly subscription fee to a major credit card or even apply it to your local phone bill.

2. What type of connection does the ISP have to the Internet?
Either a T3 or T1 high-speed line is great; two lines (in case one of them fails) are better. A T1 can accommodate 100 to 150 users logged on at any one time. Some providers may brag that they have a T1 connection, when in fact they share the line with another company or provider. This "partial" T1 can still support a large number of users, but your provider has only half of them.
Some of the larger providers must handle the load of hundreds of users dialed in simultaneously. These providers may have multiple T1s or even a T3. Only very large providers need a direct link using a T3 line.

3. What speed are the modems used for dial-up access?
Actually, two modems are involved in connecting your computer to the Internet. One is the modem at your home, and the other is at the ISP. The slower of these two modems determines your real connection speed to the Internet. The fastest modems now operate at 33.6 kbps. Some providers have modems that run at only 14.4 or 28.8 kbps.
Another consideration if you want high-speed connections is whether the ISP offers ISDN connections. ISDN lines run at 64 kbps but cost more than $500 to establish with all the hardware and software requirements. Only consider this avenue if you have serious Internet access needs.

4. How many dial-up modems are available? How many customers use the service?
Use this customers-to-modem ratio to determine the probability that you will have problems connecting to the ISP. Both the number of customers and number of modems are very important. Established ISPs (more than 150 customers) can run at about 10 customers to 1 modem with users facing a "reasonable" number of busy signals. If you don't ever want to receive a busy signal when you log on, look for an established ISP with a ratio of fewer than 10 customers per modem.

5. Is software included with the account?
Some ISPs include a collection of basic software with your account. These basic programs may include a dial-up agent, Web browser, FTP client, compression agent, chat client, e-mail application, or a newsreader. Although most of this software is shareware, having it as part of the initial package makes working on the Internet a lot easier.

6. What kind of technical support is offered?
Look for an ISP that provides support via e-mail and over the phone. Remember, e-mail support doesn't do much good if you can't log on in the first place. Ask your potential ISP what its telephone support number is (long-distance calls, of course, cost money) and what the hours are. Then call in--more than once, at different times--to see how long it takes to get a person on the line.
Don't forget to ask how much tech support costs. Some ISPs (though not many locally) charge users for support. And make sure your ISP offers support for your type of computer and operating system.

7. Does the ISP offer onsite support?
Some local ISPs send a service technician to your house if you're having problems installing their software or dialing in to their systems. This support may be a value-added service, but make sure you know the cost before the technician warms up the van.

8. Does the ISP have redundant equipment?
Does the ISP have redundant equipment? That was worth repeating. Ask if the company has backups for all critical equipment, including a spare router and spare servers. With all the hardware necessary to run an ISP, the service provider has to be able to handle sudden problems. While you're at it, check to see whether the equipment runs on an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

New Term: Uninterruptible power supply (UPS): A UPS is a short-term battery supply that kicks in when a system's power is lost. The battery, serving as an auxiliary power supply, gives you enough time to close your applications and save your files.

9. How often are tape backups performed?

Having backups is most important if you have spent hours designing a fabulous Web site, but a hard drive crash at your ISP--and these drives occasionally do crash--can also mean that important e-mail is lost. Daily tape backups help prevent such catastrophes from causing serious problems with your work.

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Just A Minute: It's a good idea to back up your home machine on a regular schedule also.

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Commercial Providers: AOL, CompuServe, MSN, and Prodigy

If you have recently bought a computer magazine, chances are it came with ads (and probably software) for one or more of the major national online services: America Online (AOL), CompuServe, Microsoft Network (MSN), or Prodigy.

Of these major online services, AOL is consistently rated best by magazines that compare the services. Figure 4.1 shows the AOL interface. CompuServe usually comes in second, with MSN, because it is still new and developing, in third place.

Figure 4.1.

For quick information, check AOL's Internet site.

What Do These Services Offer?

One of the best selling points of these services is their sign-up process. Connecting to them is usually simple: You install the free software they provide, follow the onscreen instructions, and you're connected. In addition to the vast resources of the Internet, these services also give you access to certain content that is not available to people who don't use the services. These ISPs, for example, have their own chat rooms, newsgroups, online shopping, special-interest groups, and searchable references that only subscribers to the service can use.

What Do All These Services Cost?

Two drawbacks really stand out about using these services: cost and cost. The first cost to consider is the amount AOL, MSN, Prodigy, or CompuServe charges your credit card each month.

America Online (www.aol.com) now offers three pricing plans to better suit its users. The standard monthly package gives you unlimited Internet access for $19.95, with discounts down to $14.95 a month if you pay for two years in advance. Other offers include unlimited access to AOL's network through a local ISP for $9.95 a month, or the light-usage program at $4.95 for three hours of access.

MSN, (www.msn.com), not surprisingly, is running very similar deals: One month of unlimited access to the Internet and MSN for $19.95. MSN underbid AOL by offering access to MSN content for $6.95 a month when you use your own local ISP. The company also has hourly service at $6.95 for five hours of connection time.

Prodigy (www.prodigy.com) also offers an unlimited plan for $19.95. The company's secondary plan gets you 10 hours of online access for $10. To try out Prodigy's service you can sign up for one free month of unlimited access.

The price structure is changing regularly in response to an extremely competitive market. These charges were available at the time of this writing, but the deals will no doubt change and others will take their place as the competition gets stiffer.

The second factor that affects the cost of using one of these commercial online services is the dial-up access numbers. These national ISPs don't have local access numbers in all areas. If you live in an area not covered by a local access number, you may be forced to place a long-distance or local toll call whenever you log on.

National ISPs

One way many people use a national online service like AOL is to get their feet wet and to learn more about the Internet. When they feel comfortable, they move on to a local provider that gives more options and often better service.

National online services occasionally don't allow users with 28.8 kbps modems to run at 28.8 kbps. The modem banks they use may max out at 14.4 kbps, leaving those people with newer computers watching graphics download slowly as their wallets are being emptied. Be sure to check that the company offers at least 28.8 kbps connections in your area.

If you like the idea of working with a national company but don't want to pay per-hour prices, a number of national companies now offer direct access to the Internet at a flat rate. Netcom, as shown in Figure 4.2, offers a $19.95 package that gives you unlimited Internet access and 24-hour support.

Figure 4.2.

Netcom advertises its services and specials on its Web site.

AT&T has started offering Internet access, and Bell Atlantic reportedly plans to do so soon. Even AOL and CompuServe are getting in on the act. AOL also owns GNN, which is a national ISP, and CompuServe is debuting its Wow! service, featuring "unlimited" Internet access for $18 per month.

Under such a price structure, you could theoretically log on to the Internet and never log off. Maybe you won't do that, but other people will--and when they do, that's one less modem available per person for all the other customers. Someone is losing out, and it's not the person who stays connected around the clock.

The Local Connection: How to Find a Local ISP

Finding a local ISP is getting easier all the time. Because ISPs are popping up all over the place, it's hard to talk to someone that hasn't done some of the work for you. Phone guides, friends, coworkers, and local computer stores are all good sources of information for finding your local ISP.

I know this procedure will sound very low-tech, but the classics live: Tear your fingers from the keyboard and pick up the phone guide. Check the yellow pages for Internet service providers, and you should find a good starting point. Because new ISPs are always beginning to offer services, some may not be included in the phone guide.

The next source for finding a local ISP is as close as your local computer store. Odds are that the staff of the store can recommend a few good services. The computer store may also have special deals with some local providers and may be able to get you a trial subscription or a discounted rate. It never hurts to ask.

If you happen to be lucky enough to be investigating ISPs at the same time that a local computer club is having a computer show, you should know that providers flock to shows to have rate wars with the competition, and the winner is usually you. Here you have a collection of local ISPs in one area.

Spend some time talking to the people who work on the system. Ask them some of the questions from the beginning of this lesson. If they really know their system, they should have no problem answering your questions.

My final suggestion is to check the List (http://thelist.iworld.com), a Web site dedicated to listing many of the ISPs in the U.S. and Canada. This site, shown in Figure 4.3, even boasts a global ISP list categorized by country or country code.

Figure 4.3.

Use the List to find a local ISP.

Web Sites at the Local ISP

Because most Web sites are developed on local ISPs, you need to be sure that your provider can support Web sites. You may find that, after surfing around on other companies' sites, you want to develop one of your own.

In addition to the questions you should ask any ISP before you sign up--and those questions really are the most important--here are a few to consider if you plan to design a Web site:

• Are any extra charges associated with planning a Web site?

• How many hits can I expect to receive on a site like the one I plan to design?

• How do I transfer the pages from my computer to the ISP's server?

• What will my URL (Web site address) be?

Summary

Picking an Internet service provider can be as much fun as picking a phone company. Unfortunately, ISPs don't pay you to switch back and forth like those other three-letter companies.

You have to consider rates, support, and accessibility before you can make a good decision. Choosing a national or local ISP depends on the features you want. National ISPs offer more perks than just Internet access. But if you can do without a special user's newsgroup and just want to get online, start looking for a local service provider.

Be sure to question your national or local provider about Web sites. Chances are putting up a small personal site doesn't cost you anything. If you plan to develop a business site, check rates and any hidden throughput charges that may be applicable.

Workshop

The following workshop helps solidify the skills you learned in this lesson.

Q&A

Q Is having an Internet service provider really necessary?

A Well, yes and no. You don't need an ISP to use your computer, but you do need one if you want to use the Internet. Unless you can afford the hefty $52,000 per year for a direct Internet connection, I suggest signing up with an ISP.

Q What are all the numbers associated with different types of modems?

A The numbers are the rates that the modem can transfer data across the connection. A 14.4 modem, for example, can transmit and receive data at a rate of 14.4 kilobits per second (kbps). The faster the transfer rate, the faster your connection to the Internet.

Q Can I find a local ISP in my area?

A Hard to tell. Local ISPs are popping up everywhere. You can turn to a number of sources. You can check with a local computer store or simply check your yellow pages. If a computer show is nearby, you might want to look there, too.

Q How much can I expect to spend?

A The answer to this question depends on how often you use the Internet and what special features you want. An account with a local ISP can run $15 for 150 hours of use per month. If you sign up with a national ISP, you can expect to pay about $20 for 5 hours of Internet use with access to its subscriber services.

Quiz

Take the following quiz to see how much you've learned.

Questions

Answers

Activity

If you're currently using an ISP, reevaluate your provider. Find out how your ISP compares to other newer companies. Check out the List for any ISPs with Web sites in your area. Most ISPs advertise their rates and important info on their sites, so you might not have to do much more digging.

If you're looking for an ISP, check with your friends and neighbors for recommendations. Take a quick trip to the local guidestore or newsstand, and buy a computer magazine. Aim for one with a "Free Access" disk, and try it out.