Getting Connected

Last updated on June 26, 1996
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There are two basic ways to arrange access to the Internet:

  1. Through a direct or network connection.

  2. Telephone dial-in connection via modem.

Direct connections provide the greatest speed of access, necessary for many multimedia applications available on the WWW, but are generally prohibitively expensive for individuals. A 56K direct connection to the Internet (which is relatively slow by today's standards), for example, can cost as much as $1200 a month. ISDN connections are fast and are available in some areas of the country with some Internet Service Providers but can cost as much as $100/month. Call your local telephone company for information on arranging direct Internet connectivity and pricing. Direct connection to the Internet is often available nowadays through your workplace, particularly at academic institutions, where it is generally offered as a "free" (supported by student fees) service.

Personal telephone dial-in Internet connectivity is easily arranged through a commercial Internet Service Provider. There are many commercial Internet service providers. You may opt to arrange connection to the Internet through a local provider in your area - often associated with your local telephone company or a local newspaper or TV cable operator. In North Carolina some of the larger Internet Service Providers are:

You may also choose to arrange Internet access through one of the large, national, commercial service Internet service providers like:

These service providers are generally a bit pricier than local service providers if you subscribe to all of the high-end exclusive services they offer. They may also mete some Internet services by the hour. A couple of words to the wise: caveat emptor (buyer beware).

Look Before You Leap

Many academic institutions and some large companies provide both direct and dial-up SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) or PPP (Point to Point Protocol) connectivity to their respective communities. If you are associated with a major corporation or a large academic institution you would do well to ask if such service is available to you. If it is, you already have an Internet service provider.

Before you can arrange access to a commercial Internet service provider you will need to have the necessary microcomputer hardware and software in place.

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