Free Internet Access
It sounds good, but is it right for you?

Free internet access -- you've heard about it and may even know someone who has tried it. If you're looking to find a free internet service provider (FISP), the good news is that there are several to choose from. Especially with the number of free Wi-Fi (wireless internet) providers out there. But which one is right for you?

This article will provide information on the various types of internet access available, and some aspects of obtaining free internet service that prospective users will want to consider before they jump in with both feet.

All over the world
Free internet access has been offered in the U.K. longer than it has in the U.S. European users have greatly benefited from increased competition, with the result that there are many providers vying for subscribers. No-cost access has been slower to catch on in the U.S. Until fairly recently, individual U.S. subscribers have had to pay a monthly fee for their net access.

There is another difference: Americans pay a small monthly fee for local telephone service. They can make as many local voice, fax, or modem calls as they want during the month and their monthly phone bill will remain the same. In the U.K., free net access is something of a misnomer, since the user must still pay for the local phone call (usually on a per-minute basis). The longer the user stays connected, the more that he or she will pay in phone costs. While one may argue that free is free, free net access in the U.S. is a very attractive proposition, since there is no phone usage fee accompanying increased Internet usage.

Around the world, more countries are benefitting from free net access. Many of the US providers also offer service to Canada. India now has a free ISP with at least another waiting in the wings. Asia is also expected to be a hotbed of free net access in the future.

Considerations for free 'net access
While it sounds like a no-brainer to opt for no-cost net access, there are a few points that the savvy user should consider. Among them being:

• Is the service available in your area? Several (35+) free access providers went out of business in 2000, so it may be difficult to find a provider if you live in an outlying area.

• Does the ISP have enough modems so that you can get on when you want?

• Do you want the fastest connection possible? Some Free ISP modems seem to connect faster than others.

• Are you willing to include personal information (birthdate, annual salary range, number in household, etc.) in your sign-up request in exchange for getting the free service?

• Is the size of your monitor so small that an advertising banner will leave little room to see the web browser underneath? If you don't want to buy a larger monitor, remember that the size of the ad bar shrinks as you increase the display resolution of your system. 640x480 (pixels) is one common resolution, which was popular with 14" monitor users. Now that monitors are larger (most new PCs come with 15" or 17" monitors), users are setting their systems to 800x600, 1024x768 or higher resolutions. My recommendation is to use 800x600 or higher. Keep in mind that this has the effect of shrinking everything on the screen. If the text is too small, use the View > Text Size command in Internet Explorer or the View > Increase/Decrease Font command in Netscape to make the fonts larger.

• Are you (or a friend) sufficiently familiar with Internet software and your computer operating system to configure your web browser and email software to work with a FISP?

If you rarely use your computer, and you're presently paying for unlimited net access, then you could be throwing your money down the drain. You may consider measured access service that allows a set number of hours per month in exchange for a reduced monthly fee. Of course, if you exceed the set amount of time permitted, you'll pay an extra time surcharge that month. Thoese extra-hour surcharges can be susbstantial, so select a reduced-hours plan with care.

Ads make the (free) world go 'round
If you use (or plan to use) the Internet fairly regularly, strongly consider using a free online access program. They grant free net access (and often email, too) in exchange for displaying advertising banners that remain on your monitor screen throughout the browsing session. Ads have been the basis for radio, television, and newspapers for years.

Free Internet access is also worthwhile for users that want the added security of knowing they have a backup access plan in case their primary ISP is offline or has all available modems in use.

To market, to market...
Note that FISPs almost always go to market first in densely populated areas. In fact, most larger metropolitan areas are served by more than one free ISP. Those living in large cities are in the lucky position of being able to pick and choose their FISP. Internet users in more remote areas are not so lucky, and may have to wait awhile for no-cost net service to come to them.

Even if no online service is available to the home, many users can obtain free net access at their local library. Of course, that means using the computer at the library, but when in Rome...

Rebate plans
Back at the home front, some large ISPs have used rebate programs for buyers of new computers. Some offer to rebate back as much as $400 US to the PC buyer in exchange for a three-year commitment to purchase net access. Of course, these programs typically cost $22.95 per month, and must be paid by credit card. So at the end of the three-year term, the user has paid out over $825 in access fees (assuming a $22.95 per month plan), plus the finance charge on the credit card debt.

Looking at the $825 dollar figure suggests that one alternative is to use the computer you already have, or to buy your choice of computer and pursue a free internet access plan. True, there will be no $400 rebate coming your way, but on the other hand, you'll be debt-free to the tune of $825+ over three years.

If you're interested in obtaining free Internet access, be aware that there is a price for it. Not just in terms of the overall viewing area that will be taken up by the ever-present advertising banner, but in the type and amount of personal information you will need to provide when you apply. Before granting free access, most ISPs require you to provide demographic information at the time of sign-up. Some consumers are leery of giving away their privacy in this manner. If a person feels strongly about it, they have the option of not signing on with a free ISP, or looking for another ISP that doesn't require as much information.