Choosing a Dialup Provider

  Service-oriented users:

• Budget-minded user
• Support-minded user

  Location-oriented users:

• Champaign-Urbana resident
• National traveler
• International traveler

Particular interests

Dialup types

• Free or very inexpensive Internet access
• Possibly willing to accept banner ads/surveys in exchange for cheaper service

• Free ISPs, limited time or unlimited time
• UIUCnet Premier / UIUCnet Dialup
• Under $10/month, local area or nationwide

Particular interests

Dialup types

• Easy access to a live person for assistance with computer-related questions
• Guided navigation through the Internet

• UIUCnet Premier / UIUCnet Dialup (live support)
• Local area ISPs (live support)
• Nationwide ISPs (AOL, MSN, and some others provide user-guiding interfaces)

Particular interests

Dialup types

• Dialup lines in the 217 area code
• Local area tech support available
• Occasional use of dialup from outside 217 area code

• UIUCnet Premier / UIUCnet Dialup
• Local area ISPs
• Nationwide ISPs

Particular interests

Dialup types

• Dialup lines in both 217 and other area codes
• Tech support during general US business hours
• Email access from different locations (possibly Web-based)

• UIUCnet Premier with 800-number access
• Nationwide ISPs

Particular interests

Dialup types

• Dialup access from around the world (without having to call a number in a different country)
• Email access from different locations (possibly Web-based)

• Worldwide ISPs
• Combination of home-country ISP and US national, local, or free ISP