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Internet Access Tips and Advice - Dial-Up Internet Access Bookmark this page Internet Access Tips and Advice Center Topic: Dial-Up Internet Access See the subtopics menu for tips and advice about dial-up Internet access. For additional information about Internet service providers, see the topic list directly below. Internet Access Topics · Cable Internet Access · Choosing an ISP · Dial-Up Internet Access · DSL Internet Access · Internet Access Explained · Other Types of ISPs Dial-Up Internet Access - Subtopics · Basics of Dial-Up · Reasons to Choose Dial-Up · Common Dial-Up Complaints · How to Increase Dial-Up Speed · Dial-Up Access Numbers · How to Choose a Dial-Up Provider · About ISP Contracts · Free Dial-Up Providers Basics of Dial-Up What is dial-up Internet access? Why is it called dial-up? Dial-up Internet service providers offer access for computer users by connecting to the Internet through their existing telephone line. In order to connect, a user must dial-in with a modem over his or her telephone line. How do I get started? You will first need to select a dial-up ISP and sign up for service. After you have selected the provider, they will provide you with software to download to your computer in order to set up your account. The set-up process is generally very simple. How fast is dial-up? In gernal, dial-up providers offer connection speeds starting at 56 Kbps (kilobytes per second). Dial-up Internet service is much slower than either DSL or cable Internet service. ^ Back to top Reasons to Choose Dial-Up Who should choose dial-up Internet? Dial-up Internet access is ideal for anyone on a budget. If you rarely use the Internet or need to keep your cost as low as possible, dial-up Internet service is an affordable option to consider. In addition, if you are new to using the Internet and don't know how much you will use it, it may be in your best interests to find a dial-up provider that offers month-to-month service. You can always upgrade to a higher speed ISP like cable or DSL later if you decide that it is necessary. Some people also choose to sign up for a low cost dial-up plan as a "backup" Internet access option. Some people choose to sign up for dial-up plan to use in the event of down time with their broadband Internet provider (i.e. DSL or cable). This can be especially helpful for people who work out of the home. Because dial-up is generally slower than the other types of Internet services, you may want to consider choosing another type of Internet service if you spend a considerable amount of time online. But dial-up Internet access is still widely used and can still be a good fit for many people. ^ Back to top Common Complaints About Dial-Up Service What are some problems and complaints about dial-up? Though dial-up Internet services can be inexpensive, there are some common complaints about dial-up service. Speed The primary complaint heard from dial-up ISP users is speed. The slow speed of dial-up can be very frustrating, especially if you have used high-speed Internet access before. It may take several minutes to even connect to the Internet. Connectivity Dial-up users often complain about getting "kicked off" the Internet on a regular basis. What this means is that their computer loses connection with their ISP for any number of reasons. If you find that your dial-up service is disconnecting far too often, contact the customer service department to see if there may be a correctable problem. Images Never Load Sometimes when browsing the web using dial-up, you may find that it takes forever for pages with several images to load. To avoid this problem, change the settings on your browser to turn off all images. Though the pages won't be as pretty, but they will definitely load more quickly. ^ Back to top How to Increase Dial-Up Speed How can I speed up my dial up service? If your dial-up service is too slow to bear, you can get a dial-up accelerator to speed things up. Many Internet service providers now offer Internet access plans that include dial-up acceleration. With dial-up acceleration, you will be able to surf the web five to six times faster than normal dial-up. Dial-up accelerators use compression technology to compress web content into smaller packages. These smaller packages download quicker and you are able to view webpages and files much faster. You should remember, however, that accelerators do not speed up everything (like downloads), but they do increase the speed of web surfing. Read this for more information on how dial-up accelerators work. If your ISP does not offer this feature, you can compare high-speed dial-up Internet service providers and sign up online. ^ Back to top Dial-Up Access Numbers What is the importance of the access number? 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 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. ^ Back to top How to Choose a Dial-up Internet Service Provider How do I go about choosing a dial-up provider? When selecting a dial-up Internet service provider (ISP), you will need to ask a series of questions to determine which ISP is right for you. How long has the company been in business? Do they offer software upgrades periodically? How much is the monthly rate? Are you under contract for a specific period of time? Can the ISP increase the rate whenever they want? Is there a limit to the number of hours you can be online without additional charges? Do they have a toll-free number for connection? If not, do they have a local number that will not cost you any additional charges? Do they offer free email addresses with the account? Do they offer SPAM blocker or virus protection? Once you have decided on an dial up provider, read the contract and paperwork very carefully for any hidden charges and limitations. ^ Back to top Important Parts of Your ISP Contract What should I look for in the ISP contract? When agreeing to a contract with a dial-up Internet provider, be sure that you understand exactly what is in your agreement. Here are a few things to look out for when signing up for dial-up internet access. Introductory rates Sometimes the introductory rate is only guaranteed for the first three or six months. Make sure you understand how much you are going to be charged once the introductory period is over. Terms of contract Some dial-up Internet service providers lock you into a long-term contract and charge a fee if you cancel before the term is up. Read your contract carefully and try to find an ISP that offers month-to-month service if possible. While overage charges are rare these days, it's important to check with your ISP. The vast majority of providers offer unlimited access, though. ^ Back to top Free Dial-Up Providers How can I get free dial-up Internet access? Believe it or not, you can still get free dial-up Internet service. These free Internet services oftentimes are only available in limited areas and have restrictions as to how often you can access the Internet. Therefore, read their terms of use very carefully before using their free service. NetZero Offers free Internet access across the country. Limited to 10 hours per month. Juno Free Offers free Internet access across the country. Limited to 10 hours per month. FreeDialUp.org Offers free Internet access in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Met Connect Offers free Internet access in New York City. So Cal Free Offers free Internet access in Southern California. No Charge Offers free Internet access in the Northwest United States, as well as the New England area. ^ Back to top Search for Internet Service Providers Select your state from the dropdown menu to your right to view ISPs that are available in your area. Select Your State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington DC West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Note: This information is for general use only. Use this information as part of a full research process. General advice does not always apply directly to individual matters. Please consult a local expert with specific and complex questions about your individual situation. Recommend this page to a friend  ^ Back to top

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