| As a matter of fact, there really is such a thing | | | | lacking in the free ISPs. An ISP that charges for |
| as a free Internet Service Provider or free ISP, | | | | their service is always coming up with new and |
| for short. Most Internet service providers offer | | | | better features for their customers. Free ISPs do |
| service for a small monthly charge. Most people | | | | not make that kind of effort. The quality of the |
| are surprised to learn that there are companies | | | | connection can also be a problem with free ISPs. |
| that offer free Internet service. This is much | | | | You may find you have poor connections with |
| more than the free trials offered on the discs | | | | constant interruptions. |
| everyone receives in the mail. These ISPs actually | | | | Still, you may want to find an ISP that is a step |
| offer free Internet service, and not for just a trial | | | | up from the free ISPs. The answer may actually |
| period. | | | | be with the free ISP company. Many of them |
| You might wonder how it is that these ISPs can | | | | offer a better package for paying customers. |
| offer free service when everyone else is paying | | | | This is often at a lower cost than other |
| for it. The answer to that is really no surprise at | | | | commercial ISPs. Many companies offer free |
| all. It is advertising, the funding that is behind | | | | Internet service as an incentive to try out their |
| nearly every free product. For example, there are | | | | service. What they are hoping is that customer |
| a variety of sites that offer free MP3 downloads. | | | | will like their service more than a competitor and |
| The catch is that these downloads arrive with a | | | | decide to upgrade to unlimited Internet access. |
| ton of pop-up advertisements, just like the free | | | | It is always a good idea to read and fully |
| ISPs. These pop-ups can create a real problem on | | | | understand the terms and conditions of any ISP |
| free Internet service because there are so many | | | | before you sign anything. This is especially true |
| of them. They can even cause your computer to | | | | when you are making an agreement for free |
| freeze up and generally make it extremely | | | | Internet access. Make sure that they are offering |
| difficult to navigate the Internet. | | | | exactly what they say they are, and you are |
| Another concern with these free ISPs is that | | | | aware of any conditions. Double-check any time |
| they may not offer the free Internet deal in your | | | | limits on your Internet access, and know the fees |
| area. If there is no local dial-up number for you, it | | | | for going over your limit. Last of all, make sure |
| can turn into big charges on your telephone. Some | | | | you know ahead of time about any long distance |
| of these free ISPs also put a limit on the number | | | | charges or other charges that may actually apply |
| of hours you can spend on the Internet. Also, the | | | | for your free ISP. |
| features available with commercial ISPs are often | | | | |