Selecting an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

How do I select an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to meet my needs? Doing a little homework up front will streamline your process.

First, ask yourself:

• How many people in our organization will need access?• How often and how long will they need access?
• How will we be using the Internet?E-mail, research, file transfers, selling product?
• If files are to be transferred, what type are they? (Text only? Graphics? Pdf? Video? Sound?)
• What is the future? Will use grow or stay the same? Time lines?
• What level of technical support do I have in house?
• What internal systems will need to be integrated with my Internet use?
• What level of security do I need?

Then, ask any provider you are considering:

• How long have you been in business?
• How many users do you currently serve?
• Describe your largest user and how you meet their needs?
• Do you have other clients like us? May we contact them for a reference?
• What are your connection fees?
• What is included in your standard fee?
• What additional services do you offer and what is the cost for each?
• What training do you provide?
• What security measures do you employ?
• Are there any discounts available?
• How long will it take to establish our connection?
• What do you need from us to establish our connection?
• What are our ongoing obligations for maintaining the site? Yours?
• Have you ever had any major connection interruptions? Why?How resolved?
  
• How will we be notified of a problem?
• Do you provide site monitoring and reporting systems? To what level of detail and what is the cost?
• How do we reach your support services? What hours are they available?
• What are our options for future upgrades and the cost for each?