Tech Insider: David Wolfgang-Kimball

Next to the speed and power of your computer, nothing affects your Internet experience like the quality of your Internet Service Provider, because when it comes to the Web, access is everything.

As of this writing, there are nearly 4,500 ISPs listed at The List, a comprehensive listing of nearly all known ISPs. Making a choice out of this bewildering array of service providers can be a daunting task.

EVALUATE YOUR ISP
Clearly, if you are reading this article, you have some sort of Internet access already. The question is, are you satisfied with it? When answering this question, there are a number of factors to consider:

When you dial up to your ISP, do you frequently get busy signals?

If so, it may be time to shop for another. If the provider doesn't have enough modems to serve all of their users' needs, chances are the ISP will also have a limited network capacity, and your connections may be slow.

When you get connected to your ISP; does your connection seem speedy?

In a past article, I discussed why Internet access can be slow. If yours seems sluggish, there is a good chance that your ISP is at fault; their network may be poorly maintained or overburdened. To help dissect what's going on with slow Internet access, I have found that tools such as Vitalsign Software's Net.Medic can be invaluable; they will tell you whether Internet sluggishness is at your PC, caused by your ISP, or caused by the broader Internet in general. If Net.Medic indicates your ISP is consistently slowing you down, you should think about getting a new one.

When you do connect with your ISP, do you connect at or near your modem's top-rated speed?

Especially with the newest 56K modems, you may not always be able to expect the highest possible connection speed, but if you are consistently connecting at a speed much lower than your modem is rated, this may indicate that your ISP is using old equipment; you could be getting better service.

When you need to call Tech Support, are they helpful? Do you have to wait on hold for long periods of time?

Tech support is one of the most important functions of an ISP, and if the provider is skimping on it, chances are your service could suffer.

What are you paying?

Although some ISPs, such as AT&T's Worldnet service, have recently dropped the $19.95/month unlimited access plan, this is still a very standard rate for Internet service. If you are paying more, you should make sure the quality of your service justifies the extra cost.

More columns by David Wolfgang-Kimball