Choosing an Internet Service Provider

The options available to anyone wanting to go on to the internet are hugh when it comes to choosing an Internet Service provider (ISP). There are a large number to choose from, and many offering similar services whilst differing in many ways in what they offer. Some include domain name registration to lure you, others provide web space, or multiple email addresses, free dial-in via 0800 numbers, and more. Each charge differently, some not at all.

COIN does not promote any one ISP, nor can it give up-to-date recommendations on what is good or bad. Services and quality offered by ISPs change, what may have been bad last year could be highly recommended today. Our advice is:

Decide what you want from an ISP
- Do you want a large amount of free webspace, or very little/none?
- Do you want one email address, or several so that others members of the household can have their own?
- Do you want no on-line phone charges (an possibly pay a monthly fee) or no fee and standard local call charges?
- Do you want broadband (permanent high speed) access or will you dial in with a mdoem?
Speak to other internet users and ask for their comments on the ISP they use and the service they receive. A personal recommendation from someone you know may tell you more than a magazine league table.
Buy an Internet magazine - many of these contain current comparative information about Internet Service Providers.

Information about Internet Service Providers

Web listings of Internet Service Providers in the UK include:

The List

Internet Access Providers in UK & Ireland (InternetUK)

Comparative information about the facilities offered by free ISPs can be found at net4nowt.

Other listings of free ISPs include:

Free Internet Access in UK & Ireland (InternetUK)

Free ISP Index (Easy as 1-2-Free) .

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