the Cost of Dial Up Internet Access

We have dial-up internet service from our local telephone company. This cost $20 extra each month in addition to our normal telephone service. This is not including extra tax and fees. I am not sure what exactly they are. It is all bundled in together. They offer DSL, but it is really high. It comes with email access. You can log on to their web site to check it or you can set up access through Outlook or similar programs. The provider’s online box is limited on space, but this would not be the case if you check your mail through one of those other programs. I use Microsoft Outlook to check mine on my home computer. When I am away I can still check my mail by going online. The call is local, so there is no long distance fees associated with this plan. That is if you are dialing up in the local coverage area, for instance anywhere that you do not have to dial the area code. This plan allows unlimited online access and can be dialed up from any location that has a land based phone line. You simply dial and sign in with your username and password.

I am neutral bordering unsatisfied with my internet service provider. The speed is really slow. I understand that is the case with any provider if you have dial-up service. They do offer a faster service by providing the option to switch over to DSL, but it is really expensive. I don’t care for the online email box. I use Microsoft Outlook to check and send my email. I know of some people that use other programs to check theirs. Sometimes sending an email is not as instant as it would be if you used a free email service. I don’t even use my email address provided by my internet service provider as my main address. I use an online free email system.

Sometimes I have trouble logging on to the system. They must do maintenance a lot. I can be connected one minute and then I get cut off. So, I try to reconnect and it gives me an error code that it can not verify my username and password. It takes about 30 minutes to and hour to be able to get logged back on. If you call them, they just say they are working on it. I don’t even bother calling anymore.

What is my tip? Well, that is the tricky part. I would say don’t even bother with this service provider. It cost too much and the service is less that adequate. However, this particular company has managed to monopolize the local internet service coverage. If you try to use some other programs that dial a telephone number, you will receive an outrageous long distance bill. I know what you’re thinking, “Most have 800 numbers though, right?” That is true. They do have 800 numbers that you can call so you don’t have to dial long distance. They do not however for this coverage area. You can search those other internet service providers sites for any zip code in this area and you will come up with nothing. Not surprising though considering they are the only telephone company in 3 counties.

My advice is pretty cut and dry. Now that you are able to get wireless internet coverage from 2 well known wireless companies in this area, I say go with them. The monthly charge is not that much more (unless you get a really fast one) and you can get connected anywhere you have cell service. No more toting around the phone line!