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How to pick the right ISP
By Daniel Tynan If you rely on e-mail and the Web for work (and who doesn't these days?), picking the right ISP is one of the most important business decisions you'll make. But even if you want to use the Net just to shop at Amazon or browse the headlines from the comfort of your couch, your ISP can mean the difference between a fruitful experience and a frustrating one. According to the Cahners In-Stat Group, a firm that researches and analyzes trends in digital communications, there are nearly 7,000 ISPs in the United States alone. Some are massive telecommunications conglomerates with user populations larger than many nations. Others are mom-and-pop operations that pride themselves on knowing every customer by first name. How do you pluck the right ISP from the group? You may think you're the perfect candidate for high-speed broadband, but how do you know you wouldn't be happier with a dial-up connection? Figuring out which ISP is best for you involves asking the right questions, of both yourself and your provider. We outline the most important ones. What kind of user are you? Do you really need broadband? What should you look for in an ISP? Quiz: What kind of access do you really need?
(2/12/02)
Are you a heavy user or a mere dabbler? Find your profile.
Broadband is clearly overrated. Or is it? That depends.
What lies beyond that ISP's supersuave marketing campaign?
Take our quiz to discover your true browsing habits.
Freelance writer Daniel Tynan is a frequent contributor to CNET Internet Services. He writes the Inside @ccess column. Having trouble choosing an ISP? Ask Dan.
