| Choosing an ISP can be daunting for some and can | | | | large data allowance) |
| end up costing you heaps. Do not base your first | | | | - Email accounts (Large businesses need more) |
| impressions on price. Price should be an overall | | | | - Multiple locations (If your business has many offices, |
| evaluation on the ISP. | | | | you should have one ISP) |
| 1. First decide if you would like Broadband or dial up. I | | | | 5. Check out the services included in packages, they |
| recommend broadband instead of waiting long | | | | should include: Installation, antivirus and anti-spam |
| periods of time for pages to load. | | | | protection, data backup, account management, 24/7 |
| 2. There are 4 main types of broadband connections: | | | | technical support and customer service. |
| DSL/ASDL (connects to your phone line) | | | | Things to think about |
| Cable/fibre-optic (High speed also connects to | | | | If you already have an ISP you need to make sure |
| your phone line or TV, not possible in most of New | | | | you are not breaching any terms and conditions |
| Zealand) | | | | before you change service providers. |
| Satellite (Waves from satellite to PC, can be | | | | -Check with family and friends about their ISP or |
| slow at times) | | | | recommendations. Also check reviews for a potential |
| Wireless (Wirelessly connects from your home | | | | ISP. |
| to the base station) | | | | -You will want a reliable secure network. Some ADSL |
| 3. Location. Can you get broadband in your area? | | | | providers experience slow connections because of |
| Some areas still cannot connect via ADSL or Wireless | | | | the amount of people on the internet at any one |
| 4. Residential: Determine your needs. This will help | | | | given time. |
| you choose a connection plan. | | | | -If you want an all-in-one service, check an ISP's |
| Are you a gamer, movie or TV on demand freak, | | | | services they may include Wed development and |
| have teens and multiple computers and are you | | | | design, web hosting and domain name registrations |
| constantly surfing the web? If so, you will need a | | | | and data storage. |
| high speed connection and a large bandwidth or data | | | | -How much you are willing to pay for a monthly |
| allowance. If you just check emails and post | | | | internet service and installation? |
| comments on Facebook, Bebo and Twitter you will | | | | -Does the ISP connect you through hardware and |
| likely need a small bandwidth or data allowance and | | | | what are you required to know? |
| want a high speed connection. | | | | -Does the ISP charge for upgrading packages? |
| Business: Determine your needs. Business ISP plans | | | | -Do you need a landline? |
| should be based on: | | | | Before you sign any agreement you should: |
| - The type of business (Graphic service businesses | | | | 1. Understand the terms of the contract or service |
| will require large amount of data transfers, hardware | | | | agreement |
| stores may require small amount of data transfers) | | | | 2. Understand all the fees that you are required to |
| - Size of business (Small business with few staff will | | | | pay |
| probably require small amount of data allowance, | | | | 3. Understand the package you are paying for |
| where large companies with many staff will require | | | | 4. |