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Choosing a DialUp ISP

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Pallav Malhotra@beastfox

Apr 30, 2001 04:22 AM, 8279 Views

Evaluate ISP -- The Ultimate Checklist.

Here’s a comprehensive checklist to evaluate ISPs. Pick the questions that r most relevent to your situation and fire away.

Bottomline is, EVALUATE, it’s a consumer’s market.

1. Rates

Is there a setup fee for accounts?

Does the ISP provide flat-rate accounts? (hrs/wk or hrs/mo)

Does the ISP offer metered accounts? (low monthly fees, but charge over a certain no. of hrs)

Does the ISP charge extra for usage during peak times?

Are trial accounts available? (If yes, do avail them)

Do I get a discount if I pay for several months or a year of service in advance?

What type of extra charges might you encounter?

Does ISP offer a service guarantee or refund policy?

2. Phone Lines

Does the ISP provide dial-up numbers in your local area?

Do the dial-up numbers in your local area support your modem speed?

What is the ratio of subscribers to modems? Will you be likely to get a busy signal? If so, how long will it take to connect during peak times of the day?

Are all modems in the ISP’s pool 56K, or are some older modems still in service?

Which technology (x2 or k56plus) does ISP support?

Is there an alternate line in your local area to use if there is a problem with the one you normally use? What is its modem pool like?

If the lines become busy too often, will the ISP stop signing up new accounts until new modems are added to the lines?

How big is ISP’s coverage area?

If you want ISDN (up to 128K) or DSL (up to 1M), or you think you may upgrade to it soon, make sure to ask if the ISP supports it.

What type of security does your ISP support for always-on (ISDN or DSL) connections?

What type of equipment does your ISP require for DSL access?

3. Types Of Accounts

Will you have a dynamic or static IP address? How much more does a static IP address cost?

Will you be able to choose your account login, or is it automatically assigned? Can you change it?

Does the ISP provide domain name service?

Does the ISP provide space for a Web page to users? Does it cost extra? How much storage space do you get?

Does your ISP offer FTP services?

What will your Web page address look like if you have one? Will it be long and complicated?

How will your e-mail account address look like?

Will the ISP forward messages to the new mailbox if u happen to change your address?

Does this account have idle-time or connection-time limits?

Does your account include storage on ISPs host computer for a personal or business Web server? How much space do you get, and how much does extra disk space cost?

If this account includes space on a Web server, can you create a personal Web site? A commercial Web site? Are there any limits on content, use, or the number of customer hits?

Total no. of e-mail accounts with standard pricing.

Does the server provide full internet access? i.e.Services such as: telnet, ftp, WWW, archie, news, mail, irc +?

4. Software

Does the ISP provide software for connecting? If so, does the software cost extra?

Does the ISP provide software for your particular type of computer or operating system?

Is the software easy to configure? Is it compatible with your hardware configuration.

Will the ISP guide you through the process of installing the software if you have difficulties?

If you have multiple accounts, will you be able to use the same software to dial into the different ISPs?

Does the ISP have proprietary software for Internet use?

How difficult is it to obtain the software from the ISP? Does it mail it to you or do you have to download it?

5. Services

What are the ISP’s technical support hours? Do they provide technical support during evenings and weekends?

Does the technical support cost anything?

Does the ISP provide a toll-free or local technical support number or will you have to call long distance to get help?

How difficult is it to get through to the ISPs technical support? When calling, how often do you get a busy signal or get put on hold? Do they maintain any statistics on that.

Will your ISP give technical support via e-mail, or only via phone? How fast is its response time?

How large is the ISP’s technical support staff?

Does the ISP provide online help pages? Are they helpful or too technical?

How often does the ISP update FAQ on technical support?

Does the ISP support 24x7 technical support? Does it support an automated voice response system for general queries?

6. Reliability and Quality

Does the ISP go down often? If it does go down, how long should it take to fix?

Does the ISP have a backup system that guarantees service?

Will the ISP accept large mail messages or do they cut them off at a certain length?

Does the ISP offer a good selection of Usenet newsgroups? Some ISPs will offer more Usenet newsgroups than others, and you may find that they don’t carry a newsgroup that you want to have access to.

How is the ISP connected to the Internet? (T3 is the best, T1 is the minimum)

What’s the download/upload speed during peak/non-peak hrs?

Does the ISP have at least one ’’T1’’ connection to the Internet ’’backbone, ’’

Are the ISP using real routing hardware for their network connections, or home-made computer-based solutions?

Do they have multiple name servers, distributed over at least two physically disparate networks?

What is the relative bandwith of the ISP?

7. Company Profile

Is the ISP a reputable company with a good history and that is in good financial standing.

With new advances in technology, is the company in a position to quickly adapt to changing times, and be able to overcome both competition and large investments in new equipment.

Look at the client list of ISP. You can also call up some of their clients, and ask them if they’re having a good experience with the provider.

8. Special Issues

Does the ISP offer secure service like Secure Sockets Layer services for online transactions?

Does the ISP offer special services not available from other ISPs?

Will the ISP give your name out to any mailing lists or commercial agencies?

Does the ISP block or otherwise restrict access to any controversial material? Do they have a written policy?

File management. Can you manipulate your files manually?

What kind of protection mechanism does ISP offer from intrusion over the Internet?

Does the ISP provide value added services like chat rooms, message board, interactive information sections?

Is the ISP also an online service provider?

Does the ISP help in setting up your own domain name?

What restrictions are there on the use of your network?