Internet service providers (ISPs) are companies that provide dial-up or broadband Internet connections, usually for a monthly fee.

DIAL-UP
Earthlink, NetZero/Juno, BasicISP, People PC and AOL are some of the most popular dial-up services. They charge anywhere from $9.95 to $24.95 per month. The difference in fees reflects the different services each company offers. For instance, the companies that offer more comprehensive customer service or tech support charge more.

BROADBAND
Broadband service is mainly available in three different ways:

1. Cable modem: Uses the same connection that delivers cable TV. A cable Internet connection is fast and reliable but not available in all areas.

2. DSL (digital subscriber line): Uses your existing phone line but doesn’t tie up the line. In other words, you can make phone calls while connected to the Internet. However, DSL often requires installation fees and the farther you are from the provider the more likely it is that your speed will be slower.

3. Satellite: Available where cable and DSL aren’t. As long as you have a clear view of the southern sky, you can receive this service. However, satellite is slower than both cable and DSL, can be interrupted by bad weather, and requires the installation of a satellite dish on your house or in your yard.

When it comes to choosing a broadband service, find out what’s available:

• Contact the cable TV provider in your area and see if they also provide an Internet service.

• Call your local phone company to inquire about DSL. If they offer DSL, find out your distance from the DSL transmission location.

• If cable and DSL are not options, research the major satellite TV services. They probably also offer an Internet service in your area.

• Find out which additional services the providers offer, such as email accounts and spam blocking.

• Compare speeds of various services. Decide whether the extra speed is worth the extra cost.

• Compare prices. Be sure to include setup costs, equipment, and installation costs, if any.

WIRELESS
In addition to broadband and dial-up services, web users are now able to connect to the Internet wirelessly, accessing the web without wires or cables of any type.

Wireless technology allows users to have mobile connections, accessing the web (with some limitations) where and when they need to. This can be accomplished via public hot spots (designated areas that offer wireless), cell phones and new USB Modems. Wireless connections allow users to connect whether they are at home, school, work, or on the road.

Ongoing Costs
When considering dial-up connections, some companies will charge you fees on a monthly basis; others on an annual basis. Some charge you per minute, based on the length of your connection time. Generally, you are charged lower fees if you pay annually in advance. Those that charge you per minute can work out to be more expensive.

There is a tendency for companies to underestimate the amount of time they will be connected to the Internet. Therefore, if you budget for a particular amount of Internet-related charges based on the “per minute” charge, you could end up paying considerably more, often more than would have been the case with monthly or annual billing.

For broadband connections, you will typically have a monthly fee. Be aware that you may be offered a special rate for the first 3, 6, or 12 months. Once that period is over, the rate will return to normal. Find out what the normal rate is going to be before determining if you can afford the cost of broadband.
User Support
The issue of service backup, should anything go wrong, is something that is rarely thought of until it is too late. An ISP should constantly monitor its network’s performance and have contingency plans in place for network outages. It should have built-in redundancy (spare capacity in the event of an emergency), and on-website backups for its servers.

Backup generators should also be in place in case of power failure, and generators should keep any necessary equipment functioning for a reasonable time. An ISP should be able to cope with any service failure and preferably have a backup Network Operations Centre (NOC).

In order to remain competitive, many ISPs have started to offer more substantial educational and training programs, customized security arrangements, and other services tailored for business customers, as part of their user support facilities.

Training can be especially important for organizations without the facilities, resources and cash for in-house training programs as training and maintenance can represent the highest costs of an Internet presence. It is in the interest of every business to talk to several potential providers before making a decision about an Internet connection.

You should ask potential ISPs what kinds of user support they provide. For example, in addition to training, having online user help can be very useful. You may have to pay higher ongoing fees for higher levels of support, so you need to balance your finances with your requirements.

Checklist for Choosing a Service Provider
Selecting an Internet service provider and determining the most appropriate Internet connection to support your particular business objectives should involve a consideration of all the options available. It may help if you use a checklist with each ISP before you decide on which would be the most beneficial and appropriate to your specific business needs.

ISP Checklist
1. Does the ISP provide the kind of connection you want (dial-up, DSL, etc)?
2. Which kinds of service does the ISP provide in your local area?
3. What level of technical support is available from the ISP — Web or email only, or can you call for support?
4. Does the ISP provide software for connecting to the Internet? Most companies provide this for free, but check this before signing up.
5. Check the ISP’s reliability rating with your area’s Better Business Bureau before you do business with them.

Check websites that provide information and links to ratings of ISPs; also, get recommendations from other Internet users.

Training
If your Internet-based venture is going to succeed, you may require staff that will need to be trained. This may sound obvious but a recent report revealed that a quarter of all e-commerce ventures fail due to lack of understanding and support.

Surveys show that between North American and Europe’s largest corporations, almost a quarter of e-commerce projects are abandoned before completion. For most, failure is not simply a result of a lack of investment but a lack of appropriate planning.

As important as the money spent on the software, the equipment, the network links, and the staff necessary to get a website up and running, is the need for information on the website being kept up-to-date.

If the company is presenting its product or service range or price list on the web, it is essential that the website be updated regularly with current and accurate prices and products. Any staff and equipment should be budgeted to carry out the updates and maintenance of the website.

The right staff, the right suppliers and the right set of hardware and software, which has a sensible upgrade path, is the prerequisites of a cost-effective and competitive website presence.

All these elements could be coordinated to within a specific strategic plan and development time span. For a single owner-manager these elements are much more difficult to co-ordinate and maintain.

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