Internet Guide - Get Connected

Introduction

The internet is fast becoming a part of many Irish homes, businesses, organisations and educational institutions. You now have a considerable choice about how to connect to the internet. This guide will help you to find the way that benefits you most.

In this guide, we explain:

• your options when connecting to the internet;

• the differences between the types of technologies

available to you;

• how to control “dial-up” internet costs; and

• what to consider when choosing your provider.

What is the best way to connect to the internet?

This depends on how you plan to use the internet.

• If you need fast access, you may want to upgrade to high-speed internet access with your ‘network service provider’. Faster access allows you to use more sophisticated internet content like movie downloads and to transfer files like photos quickly. It also allows you to send attachments quickly. Faster access can help small business customers to reduce online costs by allowing them to use their time and resources more efficiently.
• If you are happy with the speed of your dial-up internet connection, you may still want better control over how much it costs each month. You can choose from a range of rates including ‘flat rate’ internet rates from your Internet Service Provider’ (ISP).

Who to contact

You need to contact a telecoms company and you may also need to contact an ‘Internet Service Provider’ (ISP). In many cases your telecoms company may also be your ISP. The telecoms company or ISP will provide you with the technology you need to connect to the internet or to improve your existing connection. It is worth shopping around to compare what offers are available.

The connection type that you choose will depend on a number of factors including:

• what is available in your area;
• the speed you require;
• how much you are prepared to pay; and
• if you are willing to sign a contract for a fixed period of time.

What technologies provide for faster access to the internet?

Most residential and many small business customers have a basic phone line into their home or business premises. Using a basic phone line to dial up the internet means you can access the internet at speeds up to a maximum of 56Kbit/s.

Faster options are available for connecting to the internet and these are often referred to as ‘high-speed’ or ‘broadband’ technologies. The faster technologies include DSL (digital subscriber line), cable modem, satellite or fixed wireless access.

What is the benefit of faster internet access?

Faster internet access enables you to download and upload data very quickly. It also makes it possible to send and receive larger files. This is becoming increasingly vital to small businesses, which need to transmit files such as designs, catalogues or images.

‘Always-on’ technology

Many higher speed internet access technologies are ‘always-on’. With ‘always-on’ you have a constant connection to your Internet Service Provider built in to the standard price. You don’t need to dial up each time to receive your email. This is a useful feature for a small business consumer. ‘Always-on’ takes away the time pressure.

 * The speeds available will vary depending on how your computer is configured, the modem used, and the network capacity.

Making and receiving phone calls

Like many residential, small-office or home-office customers you probably just have one phone line into your home or business premises. This can mean that anytime you are online your phone line is engaged. However, on the faster internet access options delivered over the phone line, including both ISDN and DSL, you can still make and receive phone calls when you or someone else in the house or office is online.

However, for other broadband technologies such as cable, satellite and fixed wireless access voice calls will not always be offered over the same connection as your internet connection. In such cases users should be aware that they may still need to keep their phone line if they want to make and receive calls.

Controlling 'dial-up' internet access costs

What types of price options are available?

Traditionally, most Irish consumers connecting to the internet have used metered or ‘pay-as-you-go’ tariffs. Metered tariff options include subscription-free options. With these there is no monthly charge and you pay local call rates every time you connect to the internet.

There are also subscription-based metered options where you pay a monthly fee and the call costs you build up while connected to the internet are reduced.

If you choose a flat-rate service, the cost stays the same no matter how many times you redial as long as you stay within the number of hours provided for in your package. There are different types of flat rate 'subscription' options (often referred to as unmetered options) as the following examples show.

• 'Partial Flat Rate' - where the call costs at set times and, or, a set number of hours are included in your charge. For example, off-peak call costs could be included at no extra charge while connections to the internet at peak times could be still charged at one cent per minute.
• 'Full Flat Rate' - where you pay a set amount every month that includes all the time you are connected to the internet. You should be aware that a 'fair use' or 'acceptable use' policy, that limits the number of hours you use, may apply. This option will suit any residential or small business user who plans to spend a lot of time online, in particular, at peak time.

Considerations when choosing your provider

There are an increasing number of communication networks and Internet Service Providers to choose from. Our website www.callcosts.iemay help you when shopping around.
There are some things you should consider if you want to improve your internet connection or if you are connecting to the internet for the first time.

• Have an idea of how many hours you plan to spend online every month and whether it is during peak or off-peak hours.
• What are your requirements for technical support?
• How do you intend to use the internet - just for email or also to transfer large files?
• What content and services do you need to access and transmit?
• Do you need to receive emails in as soon as possible?
• Do you want to receive phone calls while you are online?

In addition you should always make sure that you check the following with your telecoms company or ISP.

• What additional equipment do you need to use the service (assuming you already have an internet ready PC and modem)?
• If you need to sign a contract for a set period (for example 12 months), what are the terms and conditions of the contract, including any 'fair usage' policy?
• What are the monthly cost (including your network and Internet Service Provider costs) and are there any other costs?
• What payment options are available?
• What download limits, if any, apply to service offerings and what are the costs of exceeding those downloads?

About ComReg

We are responsible for regulating the electronic communications
(telecommunications, radio communications and broadcasting transmission) and
postal sectors

How can I contact ComReg?

You can contact us:

By phone (LoCall): *1890 229 668/ 01 804 9668. (09.00am to 5.30pm)

*(Calls to 1890 numbers from landlines are charged at a local call rate, charges from mobile phones may vary depending on your operator)
 
By fax: 01 804 9671
By email: consumerline@comreg.ie
By post: ComReg Consumer Team 
             Irish Life Centre
             Block DEF
             Lower Abbey Street
             Dublin 1
Our websites are: www.comreg.ie / www.askcomreg.ie / www.callcosts.ie

Contacting other Consumer Organisations

Click here for information regarding contacting other organisations.

Legal disclaimer

We prepared this document from a variety of sources. While we took reasonable care to prepare it, we do not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage anyone may suffer by using any of this information.

May 2007

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