What is the importance of the access number?

Dial-up access numbers

A dial-up access number is the telephone number that your computer modem dials in order to connect to your ISP. Be sure that your dial-up ISP provides you with a toll-free access number or a local number that will not accrue additional charges on your phone bill.

Many people make the mistake of thinking that every phone number in their area code is a free call. However, sometimes your phone company will charge you for toll calls that are within the area code, but out of your service area. If you are on the Internet for several hours a day using a tolled access number, the additional charges can add up quickly.

If you aren’t using a toll-free access number, the only way to make sure you will not be charged for dialing the access number is to call your local telephone company. Tell the phone operator that you need to make sure that the number is a free call. Provide the operator with both the access number and your home number to double check.

Oftentimes it is better to use a free local number rather than a toll-free number for access to the Internet because the toll-free numbers can become overloaded, causing you to get disconnected from the Internet more often.