A local Internet access provider has been recognized recently in two national magazines for offering reduced prices in the competitive dial-up ISP market.
Houston-based 550 Access, a subsidiary of VIP PowerNet, charges $5.50 for its Internet service -- placing it in a new industry category called budget ISPs. 550 Access was mentioned in the November 2003 issue of PC World and the August 2003 issue of Newsweek in connection to a new shift in price structures for ISPs. Vivek Dave, president of VIP PowerNet, claims 550 Access is the lowest-priced dial-up ISP in the country.

The service has no banner ads or pop-ups, offers 150 hours of usage per month and provides free online chatroom support. A traditional support call costs $4, and service comes with a set-up fee of $7.

Internet access has been available for several years for as low as $10. One ISP, Juno, offers 10 hours of free dial-up service per month with banner and pop-up ads.

Jennifer Dawson
Houston Business Journal