Specifications

8
3 Dialup Account – The Old Standby
Even though we have DSL we chose to maintain a dialup account. It is used as a backup incase DSL fails
and while traveling. Having two different ISP accounts is also a very useful troubleshooting tool.
In our experience the most common cause of DSL failure is internal problems within the ISP not with the
DSL circuit itself. To maximize the chance of dialup working in the event of DSL failure our dialup ISP is
completely separate from our DSL supplier.
Our requirements were:
Nationwide point of presence (POP) access
Unmetered service
Decent speed
No prohibition against using a LAN
Does not require special software
Email account
USENET News account
Reasonable price
Good technical support
3.1 Selecting a Provider
Initially we used a nationwide ISP that also provided long distance telephone service. We got a single
monthly bill and a reasonable rate for Internet Access. Unfortunately the DSL business proved to be very
unstable. Carriers merged or sold off consumer accounts every few months. After having our account sold
several times we chose the same company that provides our web hosting service INR.Net as our ISP. They
are a local ISP that met our requirements. They have been extremely responsive to e-mail and phone
support issues.
3.2 Acceptable Use Policy
ISPs have a written policy that sets limits on how the service may be used. For example, reselling the
service is forbidden. Verify your ISP does not specifically prohibit operating a LAN. Even though the ISP
does not prohibit using a LAN it is unreasonable to expect technical help from them in setting it up.
Most ISP’s reserve the right to revise the policy at any time making for a pretty one-sided contract.
3.3 Privacy Policy
Examine the privacy policy to determine how your information will be treated. It is reasonable for the ISP
to collect and use information for diagnostic purposes and to improve service. However, some ISPs sell
customer information to 3
rd
parties. Your ISP knows every web page you access, every file you download
or upload and every mail, USENET and IM message that flows over their network. All that information is
potentially marketable depending on the privacy policy.
3.4 Thoughts about Dial Up
Consider your ISP mail account a throwaway. Free e-mail or a registered domain name is a better choice if
you want a permanent e-mail address. The ISP business is very competitive; assume you will see
continuous change and consolidation. When this occurs you email address changes making it difficult for
people to stay in touch.
If the ISP requires special software make sure it works with the rest of your network environment.