- It is essential to make sure that your
ISP is only a local
phone call away. It is important to use an ISP that has a
Point-of-Presence (known as a PoP) - basically a telephone access
point - within 50 km from where you are located to ensure that
you only pay local call rates (approximately R20 per hour during
peak hours and about R10/hour during 'Callmore' times from 19h00
to 07h00). Ask ISPs for more information about their PoPs.
- In addition, does your ISP have PoPs in the majority of the main cities across the entire country, ensuring that you are always able to connect to the Net even if you are on a business trip away from home.
- Does the ISP provide you with free software to get you going on the Net, including web browser software such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator, as well as other software such as e-mail, Usenet and FTP software?
- Does the ISP provide you with free, 24-hour technical assistance to help get you going and to keep you on the Internet?
- Does your ISP support the faster broadband connections, such as ISDN and ADSL?
- Does the ISP offer you free space on its servers where you can create and host your own web pages?
- What is the cost of the services they offer and does it represent value for money?
 
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