by Kenneth Black

Created on: October 14, 2008

For the new Internet user, the choices can seem overwhelming. National company or local company? Dialup or broadband? Faster broadband or slower broadband? What about e-mail addresses? And then there's web hosting, multiple e-mail addresses and contracts to consider.

Choosing an ISP is much like choosing a cell phone company: They promise a lot but deliver very little, oftentimes, in the way of customer service. Indeed, providing an Internet service is much more complex than setting up a couple of e-mail servers, a few hosting servers, and providing a portal. However, most Internet companies seem to forget this.

Choosing a proper Internet service provider starts with the proper research. What kind of service do you want - dialup or broadband? Does the dialup provider have local phone numbers? Of course, most individuals anymore are not interested in dialup service. Though there are a few stalwarts who prefer this service, or just are too stubborn to change, most new accounts, the vast majority of them, are broadband accounts.

If broadband is your desire, then the first thing you need to decide is what speed you want. Not all broadband is created equal. There will be faster speeds and slower speeds, and all will come with a price. The price you pay is largely dependent on the speed you want. Despite what the Internet service provider may want you to believe, most home users will get by just fine with the slowest broadband package offered.

However, there are cases where a home user may want to choose a faster package. Those who plan to download large files or who work from home and must send and receive files may wish to have a faster connection. Also, those who want to download videos, especially such things like feature-length movies, may want to choose a higher speed.

For those who are unsure, the key is to start at the slowest service. Often, once you are contracted for a faster service, you may be committed to that service for 12 months or longer. Downgrades may not be allowed. However, most providers will let you upgrade your service with little problem. This way, if you find you need faster service, you are able to adjust. However, if you think you may be able to get by with a slower service, it may be a while, and a considerable expense, before you can find out.

It is also good to ask friends and family who they have for an e-mail provider. There are a number of questions you can ask. What are the contract requirements? Are there many service interruptions? How is the customer service when you have a problem? These people, who can give you an unbiased opinion, could be your most valuable source of information.

For national companies, there may be customer service reports available as well. These will rate each company based on responsiveness, ease of navigation for customer service and other such issues. For local companies, this information may be harder to find, or may not be available at all.

Another thing to consider is your computer hardware requirements. Often, for broadband, special equipment may be required. Is it provided for free? Rented to you? Or do you need to buy it outright? What if the hardware elements are not compatible with your system? These answers are all needed before you make a commitment to any company.

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