These protocols are commonly known as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The information we receive is divided into 'packets' and received at the domain as a whole. The problem arises when there is network congestion - too many users retrieving information at once. ISPs can contribute to this problem by signing on vast amounts of users, when they are unable to accommodate them. There is a protocol called TCP/IP that handles the order and formation of the transmitted 'packets', thus controlling traffic on the net. Yet, net congestion is still a problem with many ISPs. The user/modem ratio comes into play here. An ISP with a ratio of 40:1 will be more likely to have net congestion, than an ISP with 15:1. The bigger ISPs have ratios of about 15:1, but the unmetered ISPs have ratios of less than 10:1. Net congestion is less likely with these, and the usage is 60-70% more than normal ISPs. .
[AOL 1] [BIS 2] [IPR 1] .
Unmetered access to the Internet seems to be the popular ISP choice at the moment. BT has already signed up 800,000 customers for 'BT Anytime', where Freeserve have already taken half a million. With £14.99 to pay monthly, BT and Freeserve are without a doubt top competitors. More and more ISPs are promoting unmetered access to their customers. Claranet has launched 'FreeTime Anytime' at £14.99 and Virgin.net with their ' £15 a month' offer. Claranet are soon to provide 'FreeTime Anytime Business' which has a 5:1 user/modem at £24.99 per month. The broadband option is obviously available for a higher speed connection. People living in the Cable Telewest area in London can sign up for a high-speed service of £33 a month, plus a very cheap installation fee of £50. Another option is BT Openworld's ADSL. At £39.99 per month and an installation charge of £150, customers living up to 5.5km away from an ADSL exchange can gain high-speed access.