Learning, Teaching & Quality Website

Internet Access

Accessing the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

A large number of Internet Service Providers now offer access to the Internet through subscriber accounts or subscription-free services access. "Broadband" access (allowing much faster data transfer) is also often available, although generally this is a more expensive option, and is not available if your house is over a certain distance from the local telephone exchange).

The services offered vary, but subscription-free access is often fairly reliable and it could save you money. You can also set up accounts with two or more of these access providers as a back-up, so even if there are technical difficulaties with one service you can still access the Internet through another.

How 'Subscription-Free' services are paid for
Subscription-free Internet services are mainly based on the ability of the provider to pay British Telecom slightly below the cost of call charges and therefore make a marginal profit when you pay the full call charge.

In order to run at a profit while offering "free" services, these providers have to reduce their costs to a minimum and generate a high volume of use. They have several ways of doing this:

• Automated online subscription, which reduces administration costs.
• Reduced services - users are referred to other companies for some services.
• Technical support to users may be limited, charged at premium rate or not provided at all.
• Increased call charges, sometimes at national rate, sometimes with a premium added.
• They have a much higher ratio of users to Internet connection capacity than "subscription" ISPs do. This means that, at peak times, you might find it more difficult to connect to the service and, when you are connected, performance may be significantly slower.
• Banner and pop-up advertising - users are subjected to advertising from various sources.
• Sale of users' e-mail or postal addresses to other companies for marketing purposes.

A comprehensive listing of ISP service providers can be found at http://www.net4nowt.com/.

Services may change or fluctuate in quality and there are likely to be advantages and disadvantages to each service. Some drawbacks or costs may not be immediately apparent, so use of these services needs to be considered carefully, especially if you are new to the Internet.

Although the information on these Web pages was correct at the time it was written, and we try to keep it as up-to-date as possible, the details may change because of the rapid development of the internet services market. You should make sure that you have full details of any service before you subscribe.

Accessing the Internet when away from home

The Internet and online resources, including those on the Open University website can be accessed from any online computer with a browser (occassionally firewalls may restrict access to some sites). Such points of access often include places of work, schools and learning centres, hotels, libraries, and Internet cafes, and there are often Internet access terminals at railway stations, airports etc.

The OUIT project is designed to provide information on IT Learning Centres and Library facilities to support distance learning in the UK and Ireland and can be accessed at: http://www.ouit.co.uk/,