SCORES
OF SMALL Internet service providers are now
offering reliable, bare-bones Web access at a fraction
of AOL’s cost. These companies—like the
$4.75-a-month 550Access.com, or 650Dialup.com,
which costs, of course, $6.50 a month—keep costs
low by cutting e-mail and Web space. But the connections
are reliable and, with fewer users, you’ll get
fewer busy signals. But before you sign up, beware
of hidden fees. Most charge a small setup fee, and
some cap “unlimited hours” at 200 a month.
And although online tech support is usually free,
just phoning the company can cost up to $5. Still
confused? Compare options at theispguide.com,
a searchable database of more than 1,000 providers.
With fees this low, you can afford to experiment.
—Sarah Childress |
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