Free Internet Access
If you're paying for your internet connection, you may be paying too much - there are many companies that will let you dial up and surf the 'Net all for free!
Most of these services are actually paid for by the advertising that is displayed on your screen at all times while you are online.
Each ISP has different policies about the number of hours you can surf per month as well as other limitations, which are important for you to keep in mind when selecting one to suit your needs.
Be aware that totaly free services have to make money somehow, and some of them sell the information colledted by their clients to marketing companies.
I'll review some of the biggest and best of the free ISPs and mention what policies they have which might lead you to chose one over another.
Address.com - provides free dial-up access in many parts of the United States. Their service also includes a free email account with web access. There is no limits to the hours you connect to their services, but you will have to complete some monthly offers.
FreeDialUp.org - offers complimentary access in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. As a precaution against abuse, they require you to have caller ID enabled on your phone to use this service.
Juno - available throughout the US. Juno provides e-mail and personal web space. The ads "float" on top of the screen. The free service can be restricted among members depending upon their usage patterns and "the subscriber's participation in certain programs that generate additional revenues for Juno".
NetZero.com- offers free dial-up in the US and Canada - local access numbers are available in the lower 48 states and in 8 of Canada's provinces. Free accounts are currently allowed up to 10 hours per month. To stay connected for an extended time, you are asked to click on one of the displayed ads once every 20 minutes - see their Usage Guidelines. Users must also agree to fill out surveys from time to time. The company has a well developed and clear Support section at their web site. The software is only for Windows computers.
NoCharge.com - free dial-up in Washington state and a few New England communities. Access available for both PC and Mac users. There are no ads displayed with this service; instead the telephone support is $10 a call.
For more Free ISP's around the world, visit the ISP-for-Free Directory. There you will find a list of Free ISP's, with user rankings. This site is worth visiting to find ISP's that cater to specific communities. Note that free ISP's have been closing down or instituting fee-based service recently , and not all those listed still offer free service
Phreego Express, High Speed Internet - $9.95
Pros & Cons of Free Internet Access
Pro:
- It's FREE
- You Don't Pay A Cent
- There's No Cost
- You Save Money
Con:
- Some Free ISPs Use Intrusive Advertising
- Some Free ISPs have low limits on usage
- May not be able to connect to some FTP hosts for uploading web pages
- There are some privacy issues, as free ISPs collect - and sell - extensive personal information about their users and monitor all your surfing habits
The Bottom Line:
- Compare services & read their Terms of Service carefully
- If you are concerned about your privacy you should consider low-cost alternatives
- If not, try one - It's FREE!!
