Guide to Choosing An Internet Connection Provider

To connect to the Internet you need to an Internet connection provider, commonly known as an ISP ( Internet Service provider) as they provide users and businesses with access to the Internet and associated services.

You should be aware that depending on your circumstances you may need more than one ISP (e.g. If you are a frequent overseas traveller).

There are 3 main types:

  • National Telephone Companies- Fixed landline (e.g. BT) and Mobile (e.g. orange)
  • Cable TV and Satellite companies (e.g. Sky)
  • Global/International - If you are a frequent traveller then you should consider an ISP that provides you with access from various international locations. AOL (America online) is probably the best known, but many others do as well.
For most, which you use usually depends on what services you currently have, e.g. if you have BT landline, most opt to use BT broadband.

 However, if you are a specialised user then you may need to choose a provider based on your intended internet use. For standard Internet use like surfing, email and occasional downloads then almost any provider will do.

I personally use BT. I didn't choose it because I thought it was the best. I was an existing BT customer and they offered me broadband at a reasonable price.

I have used them for over 5 years and don't have any complaints and so I continue to use and recommend them. (see BT total broadband review)

If you don't have a landline and instead use a mobile phone then you may get a better deal by going with your current mobile phone operator.

So instead of making particular recommendations it is probably best to offer a view selection guidelines that should help when trying to compare one ISP offer to another one.

Speed- ADSL speeds vary depending on your telephone line and distance from the exchange. BT Total Broadband currently has 20Mb max download speed. Unless you download lots of large files (photos, movies/TV programs) then you probably won't notice. Generally anything above 1Mbps is adequate.

The download speed that you receive is usually much lower than that advertised by the provider. For example my max download speed is 8Mbps and yet when tested I was getting 1.7Mbps which I find more than adequate. See a sensible approach to Internet speed for more details.

Download limits- For basic email and web browsing around 2GB/month is adequate. if you download lots of videos (perhaps using bbc iplayer or similar) then you will need more (>10GB).

 Most providers allow you to upgrade, some will charge you if you exceed your limit! Beware of this. BT total broadband have a policy of not charging unless you regularly exceed your limit, and they inform you first.

Other Services- Many ISPs provide free email accounts and even web space. Some also offer online storage which you can use to backup photos etc. Using other services from your ISP may seem attractive but it does have problems. See Using ISP services for more details.

Internet Connection Method- Access type

There are three main methods:

ADSL over phone line is probably the most common connection mechanism and therefore you require a physical phone line. The phone line is provided by BT (UK) but many other companies can provide broadband services over this line. This can be confusing as you may take broadband offered by SKY (satellite TV) but you will require a phone line to use their broadband service. (UK).

ADSL over cable- is available for cable TV subscribers.

Mobile phone- This option is ideal for those who travel frequently and/or don't have a landline or cable TV. Access is provided by using a special wireless USB adaptor which usually supports Internet connection using WiFi when available or WAP ( available over standard mobile networks)

ISP Payment Plans

There are two standard plans available for most type of internet connection.

  • Monthly flat rate- Fixed payment regardless of how long you spend online. It should be noted that many broadband suppliers impose download limits.

  • Pay as you go - you pay only when you use the service. Payment is through you normal telephone based on a cost/minute rate. (dial up only)

A pay as you go plan costing 1p/minute would cost:

cost per month Minutes/day
£4.50 15
£9 30
£18 60

When you consider that most monthly flat rate fees are around £15 it doesn't take long before they become justified.

 

Using ISP Services

Most people consider an ISP to be simply an internet connection provider.

However many ISPs now provide other services besides the standard internet connection; like web space, email, instant messaging, and these additional services may have a great influence on your choice of provider.

However using a service provided by an ISP can have the consequence of making it difficult to switch ISPs at alter date. Email is a common free service but using and depending on those free email addresses can make it difficult in the long wrong.

I tend to use my ISP for the Internet connection only and if I need other services like email I use an independent source. See Changing ISP

More Than One ISP

I personally use two ISPs one for dial up (when travelling) and another for broadband access at home. This is not an uncommon scenario especially for users switching over to broadband and changing their ISP

 

ISPs and Telephone Companies

Most telephone companies offer ISP services but not all ISPs are telephone companies. In fact one of the most well known ISPs (AOL) does not offer telephone services.

However most Internet connections regardless of whether they are provided by a telephone company ISP, or a pure ISP utilize the existing telephone lines.

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