Using an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Internet Service Provider Companies (ISPs) offer direct access to the World Wide Web via the Internet; provide e-mail accounts; and allow customers to publish and store their own Web pages on the company servers. They charge either a flat fee or according to the amount of time spent online (the way telephone companies bill for calls).

Selecting an ISP

Useful resources for locating an ISP include the The List (Internet.com), Providers of Commercial Internet Access (POCIA), and The Internet Access Providers Meta-List. Also, your local Yellow Pages not only lists Internet service providers that service your area, but may also include an information section on using the Internet.

If you plan to use WebTycho, UMUC's online course-delivery system, your ISP must provide:

• Access to ports 80, 1533, and 8082
• Telnet and FTP service
• Access to run graphical Web browsers (Netscape)
• An e-mail account

Questions to Consider

You may wish to ask the following questions of the ISPs you contact before you select a provider:

Software

• Does the ISP assist in software installation and furnish documentation on the software?

Capabilities

• Does the ISP allow users to publish personal or small-business Web pages?

Types of Access

• How many ports are available for you to call into? (Most ISPs try to provide one port for every 20 customers. Make sure that this quantity is met, if not exceeded, to avoid busy signals.)
• What speed are the ports? (Try to ensure that the ISP provides access that utilizes the full potential of your computer and modem. For example, look for 56 kbps access if you own a 56 kbps modem.)

Geography of Access

• If you plan to travel with a laptop, does your ISP offer easy access from other parts of the country or the world?

Pricing

• Does the ISP offer different types of accounts to suit your needs? For example, can you choose between a limited number of access hours at a low rate or unlimited access hours at a higher, fixed rate?
• Is the dial-up number local or is a toll-free number offered? (This feature is important to avoid long-distance phone charges. Note that some ISPs charge additional fees to 800-number users.)
• Are there additional charges for international roaming?

Support

• How many technical support employees are available? (Compare ratios of support personnel to customers offered during peak as well as off-peak hours.)
• What are the hours of technical support? Are they the same as when you plan to use the service?

For further information on ISPs and WebTycho specifically, visit WebTycho Help & Support.