Health Care Systems: Internet Service Providers

Internet Service Providers

Home :: Orientation :: Hardware, Software, & ISPs :: ISPs

You will need to connect to the Internet to take an online course and to access tools needed for all courses. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are private companies that provide a connection to your home for a monthly fee.

There are two main types of Internet connections:
1. Dial-up through a phone line and modem
2. Broadband (such as DSL or cable)

Dial-up connection

With a dial-up connection, you use a modem to connect to the Internet
through the phone line in your house. Each time you connect, the modem calls the Internet Service Provider. It is important that the number you use for a dial-up connection is a local call, or your phone bill can get quite high. If you need to receive calls while you are online, you will need a second phone line. Dial-up connections are slow compared to broadband
connections. Be sure your modem runs at the fastest speed possible, 56K. Dial-up services usually cost between $10 to $24 per month for unlimited access.

Dial-up ISPs organized by area code are available here.

Note: AOL has been known to cause trouble receiving campus and course email messages. If you use AOL, we recommend keeping your campus email account as your Blackboard address and checking it seperately.

Broadband Connection

Broadband connections are much faster than dial-up. The cost is higher, around $40 to $50 per month.

Broadband is provided generally by the phone (DSL) and cable TV companies (cable). Both DSL and cable are always connected and keep your phone line clear while you are online. The speed difference is very noticable; however, broadband isn't available in all areas.

This link takes you through the process of getting broadband service. Use the Service Finder link to find providers in your area. There are also reviews of different companies.

For More Information

More information about connecting to the Internet can be found
at this Web site.