Checklist for Selecting an Internet Access Provider

Prepared by Ka-Neng Au (au@andromeda.rutgers.edu)

1. Points of Presence

What areas do they serve?
Do they have a POP within your local calling area?

2. Maximum Speed

What is the maximium access speed?
[ ] 14.4 kb [ ] 19.2 kb [ ] 28.8 kb [ ] other __________

3. Access Protocol

Which access protocols are supported? [ ] SLIP [ ] CSLIP [ ] PPP [ ] other __________

4. Applications and Services Provided

Which of the following are provided? [ ] e-mail [ ] Usenet news [ ] ftp [ ] telnet [ ] gopher [ ] WWW [ ] other _________

5. Software Provided

Which Web browser is provided? [ ] None [ ] lynx [ ] Mosaic [ ] Netscape [ ] other __________

Which e-mail package is provided? [ ] Eudora [ ] Pegasus [ ] other __________

6. Pricing

What is the pricing structure? [ ] monthly flat-fee, limited usage (additional fee for additional hours)
[ ] monthly flat-fee, unlimited usage [ ] hourly charge [ ] other __________

7. Technical Support

What type of technical support is available? [ ] software installation [ ] hardware installation [ ] phone support [ ] on-site support
[ ] support on weekends/evenings [ ] documentation for Internet tools [ ] Web homepage support [ ] other __________