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ISPs (Internet Service Providers) (screen 5 of 6)
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is your gateway to the Internet
ISPs have permanent connections to the Internet, and let you dial into their computers using your modem to make your connection.
There is a good choice of ISPs in Australia. The only problem is deciding which one to use.
What you should look for in an ISP
The important things to look for in an 
ISP(1) are:
- Reliability.
- An ability to dial into them at any time without getting an engaged signal.
- Fast connection speeds (33,600 bps or better).
- Help when you need it (particularly at setup time).
- Flexible enough to meet your expanding or changing needs.
- A range of access plans to choose from.
- A local telephone number for dial-in access.
ISP access plans
Choosing an ISP is also a decision made on cost. Most ISPs have a range of access plans you can choose from. Some charge a flat rate for a permanent connection to the Internet to allow you to browse. You can dial in as often as you like, and download as much as you like for this money. Others provide a range of access plans to suit casual users through to regular users.
Many people choose an hourly rate for their connection, which can cost up to about $AU8.00 per hour, but it varies considerably according to the access plan. Often a plan consists of a flat fee to allow a certain number of connection hours each month and then charges an hourly rate thereafter. Often new users get special deals as an enticement to sign up with a particular ISP.
In some cases ISPs will charge for downloading on top of the hourly rate for connection.
Some ISPs also provide you with 5MB of space on their server to host a small website. If you are a smallish organisation this hosting option may be worth investigating. You should, however, buy your own domain name(2).
The deal which best suits you will depend on the way you use the Internet, and what you want to do on the Net. Often an ISP can help to determine the best plan for your needs. But as with any purchase, shop around. Ask others which ISP they use and what plan they are on.
Where do you find them?
ISPs are springing up all over the place as this is a booming industry.
An Internet site which can help you to choose an ISP is Internet Service Providers in Australia(3).
Look for ISPs under Internet Services in the Yellow Pages(4), on the Internet. Internet magazines, computer magazines, and the computer pages of newspapers are places where you will find advertisements placed by ISPs, or even reviews of their offerings.
Also, obtain recommendations from friends and colleagues.
For more information have a look at Industry Guideline for Internet Service Providers(5).
While we hope you will never have to complain about your ISP, if you wish to do so the place to go is the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman(6).
Accessing the Internet from anywhere
If you leave home or the office you can still connect to the Net. A laptop computer and modem that meet the requirements for Net connections, as well as a telephone socket, are all you need.
It is handy to have a list of local telephone numbers for your ISP to save on long distance calls, as well as the two main types of telephone cable connectors in use in Australia.
If you are going to be travelling a lot and using the Internet while away, this is a very important factor in your choice of ISP. You need one with the greatest number of outlets that will allow you to use local calls from your travel destinations, either within Australia or outside Australia.
If your need is only for email, some small hand-held computers can handle your email needs. A Windows CE hand-held computer(7), or Palm Pilot(8), for example, fitted with a small modem and software, can send and receive email (and faxes). These products are small enough to fit in a handbag or briefcase.
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References
- Choosing an Internet Service Provider http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/266971/fromItemId/8135#h2_31
- Guide 8 screen 6 http://culture.gov.au/resources/guides/g8/s6.htm
- Internet Service Providers in Australia http://www.topology.org/net/isp.html
- Yellow Pages http://www.yellowpages.com.au/
- ACMA Industry Guideline for Internet Service Providers http://www.acma.gov.au/ACMAINTER.131174:STANDARD:1025496488:pc=PC_2044
- Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman http://www.tio.com.au/
- Windows CE hand-held computer http://www.microsoft.com/windowsce/products/
- Palm Pilot http://www.palmpilot.com
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