Because there is a great deal of interest in getting onto the Internet, there are more and more Internet users and Internet service providers. Choosing computer is the easy part, but choosing an Internet service provider is a difficult job. There are so many complicated plans to get onto the Internet that their charges vary between 29 cents and 5 dollars an hour.
There are a few important things to be considered before choosing an Internet service provider besides cost, such as busy signal, back and support, set-up charges, the number of users per modem, web space, on line time, email, modem speed and download limits. The purpose of this project is to make recommendations to a home user and small office to choose an Internet service provider respectively
Hardware requirements: Both the home user and small office need a computer, modem and phone line. It is recommended that the small office have a dedicated phone line.
Software requirements: Both the home user and small office need a web browser. Either Netscape or Internet Explorer is fine.
Ease of access includes the number of users per modem and point of presence. If an Internet service provider has a high ratio of users per modem, which means most users get busy signal all the time. Internet users have to pay for busy signal. (Because of PABX switching system) Every time Internet users have to make a local call to connect to the Internet service provider, if the Internet service provider has a point of presence nearby. Otherwise, Internet users have to make a STD call to connect to the Internet service provider.
Internet pricing is a complex issue and it certainly pays to think beyond simple 'per hour' rate. Here are the types of charges users are likely to encounter.
Registration or joining fee: Many ISPs charge this fee, which users pay as they sign up. This is usually accompanied by a quantity of free hours, although there is nothing free about them: users have already paid for them with their registration fee.
Ongoing charges: Then comes the cost of using the Internet. Users encounter three main charging schemes-A set per hour rate, A set per-month plan and Flat 'all you can surf' fee.
A good level of support can be crucial to making Internet users online experiences happy ones. The smarter ISPs realised that the market has shifted away from the propeller-heads and towards business and home users to whom the Internet is simply another computing application. These providers have adapted their support mechanisms accordingly.
The main two things to look for are:
| ISP | The plan | Free hours | Busy signal | Monthly access($) | Registration fee | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOL | AOL Now | 3 | n/a | 9.95 | - | 24 hours a day, seven days a week, local call charges |
| AOL | AOL Extra | 15 | n/a | 29.95 | - | 24 hours a day, seven days a week, local call charges |
| Big pond | Big 150 | 150 | ***** | 44 | - | 8am-midnight, seven days a week, local call charges |
| Big pond | Casual user | 3 | ***** | 9.95 | - | 8am-midnight, seven days a week, local call charges |
| TPG | Unlimited | Unlimited | ***** | 19.95 | 30 | 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri, $2/min |
| Ihug | Unlimited | Unlimited | 29.95 | 49 | ||
| Compuserve | Super value | 10 | **** | 35 | - | |
| Ozemail | Oz Mega Saver | 150 | *** | 34.95 | - | 24 hours a day, seven days a week, local call charges |
na : not available * : How they rate
It is recommended that the home user choose Big pond as his or her preferred ISP. Big pond has almost everything for every from kids to seniors, and they have extensive telephone support from 8 am to 12 midnight seven days a week.(local call charges only) The home user only has to pay $44 a month to choose Big 150 plan to get onto the Internet. It is a good value for money plan.
The small office's preferred ISP would be Ozemail. OzMegaSaver charges $34.95 a month only, and offers telephone support 24 hours a day seven days a week. OzEmail also offers their clients an extensive range of products and services, created to meet the needs of business of all sizes. This superior service has fast, reliable, high performance Internet connections.
www.sunherald.com.au www.smh.com.au/icon/guide.hml The Sun-Herald.(13/12/1998,p.65)