Choosing a Dial-up ISP

Dial-up ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are companies providing Internet service to individuals and businesses through dial-up connection over the telephone line. Their main task is act as a gateway connecting users to the backbone of Internet as well as to provide email accounts and Web Hosting services.

ISPs offering different levels of service and pay packages to suit public demand. Choosing a Dial-up  ISP can be a daunting task. However, making the right decision can be a lot easier if you ask the following questions based on your need and requirement:

Q:      Do you mainly get online daytime (peak hours) or evening time (off peak hours)
          or both, and what is the average hours you will spend online ?

The cost of Dial-up connection is reflected by the local telecom tariffs because the Internet connection is using the telephone line. This is important for users in countries don't have free local call such as the United Kingdom to choose from different dial-up account.

Q:      Do you get online mainly for business or work or pleasure or mix ?

          General guidelines to choose a connection option -

          - Analogue Transmission / Standard MODEM for mainly pleasure
          - Digital Transmission / ISDN or ADSL for work and business
          - Cable MODEM for cable subscribers 

         You can have the fastest connection available if you can afford it and if you want,
         regardless what purpose you get online.

• Email account - most ISPs give you 1 to 5 email account(s).
  
  
• Web Hosting - 
  Web space - 2MB to 5MB is a norm
  Bandwidth Allowance (monthly data transfer rate) - Dial-up ISPs don't normally tell you what Bandwidth Allowance you get, be aware of charges incurred by excess bandwidth if your web pages being popular !
  
  Other features (such as database) may not be available or cost extra.
  
  
• Technical support by telephone
  Most ISPs provide time-specified technical support by telephone or will you need the 'round the clock 24/7' supports?
  
  Very few ISPs provide free phone technical support unless it is included in the package, cost of calls to your ISP for technical support may vary from local call rate to premium call rate. Some UK ISPs even charging £1 per minute for technical support.
  
  
• Roaming service 
  If you need to access the Internet often when away from home and you want to pay the local call rate instead of the long-distance rate.
  

The Dial-up

Dial-up involves two service charges -

• Charge for access to the Internet and added standard services e.g. email accounts and Web Hosting
• Telecom call charges

Dial-up Accountsx

Subscription Account


Long before the deregulation of telecommunication industry, ISPs make charge for service in order to maintain business when the telephone charges go to the monopoly telecom company. This is the reason of why you have to pay for accessing the Internet when you get free local calls. There are great many ISPs still charging subscription especially those have no interest or not involved in the telecom business.

Subscription ISPs generally provide reliable Internet services and the charge is vary from $4.99 to $29.99 per month depend on the level of service offered, plus the local or national call charge in countries like the UK where local and national calls must be paid for.




Unmetered Account


When telecommunication industry (telephony) became deregulated, telecommunication business is opening its door to any other businesses. ISPs can negotiate to buy lines & times in bulk wholesale rate and be able to offer Internet users subscription free access to the Internet for a fixed monthly fee on fixed hours of telephone connection calls.

Examples:


• £4.99 per month for 5 hours off peak* phone access to Internet connection and pay a lower rate during peak* hours.
  
  
• £9.99 per month for unmetered phone access to Internet connection during off-peak* and pay a lower rate during peak* hours.


* peak and off-peak are defined by the telephone company that you signed service contract with.


• £14.99 for 24/7 unmetered phone access to Internet connection anytime.
  
The access number can be a freephone number or with a prefix*

*In the UK, a prefix such as 1363 before any number signifies a telecom retailer reselling on BT lines. BT charges the call to the retailer and the retailer may charge the caller at their own tariff.



Free Account


Some ISPs offering free Internet account; no subscription, free local/national call and you must view ad banners to stay online. Hours may be limited to 20 free hours per month.

Some ISPs offering you free Internet account; no subscription, all you pay is the local or national rate phone call when you connected. The ISP shares the revenue from your call charge.

In the UK, cost of calls from BT Official Price List:
Local call number begins     0845 peak 3.948p off-peak and weekends 1p
National call number begins 0870 peak 7.908p off-peak 3.948p weekends 1.493p
(prices are Operative 1 Oct 2006)

Free ISP account is fine if you don't mind the banner ads or you just want to read emails.

Directory & Links to worldwide ISPAs and Dial-up ISPs

ISPAs (Internet Service Provider Associations) have
member list to serve as directory/index of local Dialup ISPs