From: David Burton To: Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 17:22:19 -0500 (EST) Subject: cheap ISPs, broadband ISPs Hi xxxxx, Here's the link to information on inexpensive dial-up ISPs: http://www.freedomlist.com/ http://www.freedomlist.com/find.php3?country=166&st=3 Cheap national ISPs listed on that site are: http://www.freedomlist.com/find.php3?country=166&st=3&state=127 Some non-nationwide ISPs that serve at least parts of NC: http://www.freedomlist.com/find.php3?country=166&st=3&state=34 Note: be sure to read the most recent "comments" for whatever ISP you are considering. Also, to reduce the hassle if they go out of business or you get annoyed with them, I recommend that you use Yahoo or Hotmail or similar for your email, so that your email address doesn't have to change if you switch ISPs.This one is quite popular, and costs only $5/month: Access4Less: http://access4less.net/indexgo.htmDon't expect great customer service for $5/month, but, after all, you don't get great customer service from "the big boys" for $20/month, either. :-/ For broadband (Cablemodem and DSL), there are quite a few choices, too. Because I'm a geek who can't afford to have no internet access during an outage, I have BOTH cablemodem and DSL. I have Roadrunner cablemodem, and PortBridge DSL. Each has its (dis)advantages. Portbridge has much better customer service, but Roadrunner is a bit faster. Sometimes there is useful information about local ISPs here (use either link): news://triangle.online-access http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&group=triangle.online-access This site can find many (but not all) of the DSL providers that have service in this area: http://www.dslreports.com DSL providers in Wake Co. include BellSouth, PortBridge, Britsys, and a few others, but all are using BellSouth's wire, and most are using BellSouth's equipment, too. But you'll probably get better customer service from PortBridge and BritSys than from BellSouth: http://www.portbridge.com/ http://www.britsys.com/ http://www.fastaccess.com/ If you go with PortBridge, please tell them that I sent you! Cablemodem providers include: Time-Warner Roadrunner, Earthlink, and AOL, but all are using Time-Warner's wire: http://www.twc-nc.com/isp/default.htm Best regards, -Dave Burton