What should I look for when choosing an Internet Provider?

As internet professionals, we are often asked "Can you help me find an internet provider?" The answer is "Yes, we can." Whether looking for a new internet service provider (ISP) or simply replacing your old one, there are several key factors to consider. People are different and so are their needs in internet providers. Some people need only residential access while other road warriors need local phone numbers across the entire continent. Regardless of what kind of internet user you are, here are some of the key factors to consider when choosing a new internet provider:

• Local Access Numbers
• High Speed Connections
• Stability
• Reliability
• Free Technical Support
• Free Email
• Free Spam Filtering
• Web Hosting

Local Access Numbers

It is important that you are able to get to the internet from your choice of locations. If you only want to connect to the internet from your home, a local internet service provider may be a good choice or a national service provider that has local access numbers in your area may better serve your needs. However, if you will be traveling and using your computer on the road, then a national provider will be your best choice. Many national internet access providers give you local numbers in virtually every community in the United States.

High Speed Connections

High speed internet access can come in many shapes and sizes. Many internet providers tout their high speed technology such as cable, ISDN and DSL connections. These are all excellent technologies, but they can be expensive. Some ISPs can provide dial up accelerators directly over an existing phone line at a much lower cost by using advanced data compression technology.

Stability

You want to choose an internet service provider that will meet your needs for years to come. Many internet service providers disappeared in the dot com crash of the last few years. Many others were built just to make a quick buck. You should choose a company that is built to last for the long run. The long run is a foreign concept to many start up internet providers.

Reliability

A fast, cheap connection is no good if you get disconnected every 10 minutes. Your internet service provider should keep you connected.

Free Technical Support

Many ISPs provide only online support. This can be effective and it keeps costs down. Sometimes though, you just need to talk to a person. The best internet service providers have 24 hour toll free support available at no cost to you.

Free Email

Most ISPs give you a number of email accounts when you sign up. The important question is do you have control of the accounts? The internet service provider should give you a customer control panel to administer you own email accounts.

Free Spam Filtering

Do you get tired of junk email filling up your in box? While no one can completely stop it, quality internet providers automatically filter incoming email and prevent known offenders from getting through. Look for ISPs with quality spam filtering.

Free Website Hosting

Your internet service provider should provide free website hosting for your personal website. Five to ten megabytes is plenty. This space is great for personal sites, but is not the best place to put your business website. Business sites should have their own dedicated web address such as www.your-business.com.

Who are we?

ispEZ is the internet provider arm of the Fort Pierce Utility Authority. Our community has counted on us for reliable service since 1971. Our customers know when they flip a light switch, the light will come on. We believe internet service should work the same way.