Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are commercial organizations that promote and provide a physical link (via a dial-up line: modem) to the Internet. Its users are mainly individuals (private users) or small companies, who pay a subscription fee; depending on which ISP they have chosen. ISPs are also able to provide the subscriber with up to date news and information, e-mail services and management of their very own website. Today choosing an ISP is not an easy task, as there are many companies and each one offers different services and promises to be the best ISP. .
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To get the best out of the Internet, it is crucial that you choose the ISP that suites your needs. Any wrong decision could mean crawling the web for hours pointlessly, stacking up an expensive bill. So when looking for an ISP, consider fore mostly its connection speed. Speed will not only be the time it takes to connect to the net, but it will also determine if you are able to send or retrieve information with ease. The user/modem ratio of an ISP should be less than 10 users per modem, if you require optimum connection every time. Availability of an ISP should be very good, as it refers to how often an ISP is overloaded with customers or even its unavailability. When surfing the net, and you encounter a problem, you will need technical support, online or off-line. ISPs do offer support, some at very high rates. So it's best to find out the cost of technical support from your ISP. ISPs also provide extra services, and if you're looking to have your own web site, then make sure that the ISP offers web space of at least 10-40Mb. You will also need to know if you can alter your subscription plan, if later on you decide to subscribe monthly, rather than pay-as-you-go for example. .
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For 'light users' of the net, pay as you go ISPs are ideal. These accounts are very quick and easy to set up.