Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1. What Do You Need?

Before you start shopping for an ISP, think about what you want to do on the Internet now - and how your needs might change in the future. You'll need some idea of how much capacity you will require and how much help you will need from an ISP.

1.1 Web access and email are the most basic uses of the Internet.

• Estimate the initial usage (including emails per day incoming and outgoing, hours per day accessing websites) and multiply both by the likely number of users. Then double the answers - because you'll spend more time online than you imagine. This will give you an indication of the kind of connection you will need. See 3.

1.2 How many email addresses will you need?

• Some ISPs have limits: this is important if you want to give each employee a separate email address.

1.3 Do you want to use your own domain name?

• This will give your business its own web address for your website and email addresses.
• It looks more professional if you use your business name rather than the ISP's name.

1.4 Do you want your ISP to host your website?

• Your website may be a single information page or a full e-commerce site. The kind of website you have will make a difference to which ISPs you can use and how much it will cost. See 2.

1.5 Will you want to use Internet telephony?

• Internet telephony, or Voice over IP (VoIP), uses the Internet to make and receive phone calls at very cheap rates. This may be worth considering if you frequently need to call overseas. Ensure the VoIP offers a consistent minimum level of service, as unlike email and web access where it doesn't matter if you have to wait a second or two for the page to load, it does matter if your telephone conversation cuts in or out or gets disconnected. Some ISPs offer a premium package that will guarantee a minimum QoS (quality of service) so you can feel more comfortable running applications such as internet telephony.

1.6 Will you need interactive facilities?

• Collaborative applications such as whiteboarding (where all participants can make and see changes to a document or a diagram in real time) and videoconferencing (where participants face a small camera and a microphone, and everyone can see and hear everyone else) can cut down on meetings and improve communication.

1.7 Assess the degree of technical support you will need.

• Different ISPs provide different levels of support, including technical support over a free, standard-rate or premium-rate phone line, or by email.