by Moe Zilla

Created on: February 01, 2009

Choosing an ISP is easy - but there's some important rules. The most important factors when making a decision are the speed and cost of your service. Here's what to watch out for.

SPEED

* You're a lot happier when your web pages download quickly - so know the difference between the words "broadband" and "dial-up." (For example, AOL offers a nationwide network of dial-up numbers, but the speeds of a dial-up connection will be less than one-tenth the speed of a broadband connection.) DSL and cable internet providers offer speeds of several megabits per second - which is becoming the standard on the internet today. Even if you're not watching full-motion video on YouTube - many web pages are incorporating video into their advertisements.

* Remember that most ISPs will promise broadband connections "up to" a certain speed - but they're touting a maximum speed, and your actual results may be much poorer. When you've set up your service, check the speed yourself at a free speed-testing site like Bandwidth Place.

* The speed of DSL service will depend on how close you are to the phone company's internet equipment. (If it's more than a couple of miles, your speed will be much slower than advertised.) The easiest way to find out is to ask a neighbor who's using your local DSL provider. In general, DSL speeds are a little slower than cable speeds, but it can be a good choice if you're in the right location.

* Some ISPs offer faster speeds for downloading than for uploading. This can be useful, since most users are downloading much more often - but if you plan to do a lot of uploading, this can be a deal-breaker.

* And recently ISPs have started experimenting with "metered" internet access. (Users think they're paying for an "all you can eat" service plan - only to discover that their ISP has now implemented a limit on the total data they can download each month!) Even if you don't exceed the limits, it's a constant threat that makes surfing the internet less fun. Time-Warner and Comcast are two broadband providers who've been experimenting with this model, so if you're considering them for your service provider, be sure to check on whether they'll limit your service!

* It's also been reported that some internet services artificially slow down speeds for users who are trading files on peer-to-peer networks. If you're planning to use peer-to-peer networks, do a quick Google search to determine the ISPs where users have reported problems.

COST

* Sometimes there's a cheaper local alternative for high-speed internet access. Here's a site that provides a definitive list that can be searched by your area code.

* There's already an intense competition for customers, so ask for a lower price before changing your current service. In many cases, a service provider will be happy to give you a discount rather than losing your business altogether!

* It's difficult to get a head-to-head comparison on costs, because many providers will offer a package deal which involves lower rate for a package of services - high-speed internet service bundled with phone service and even cable TV. It can sometimes offer savings - but only if you avoid buying things that you don't need.

Finally, a word of caution. speed is meaningless if the internet service is frequently interrupted. It's hard to judge the reliability of an internet service - but look for testimonials from people who've used it to see if they're satisfied with the service in your area!

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