ISPs vs OLSs

Get It Try It

You need an Internet access provider (IAP) to connect to the Internet. But there are two kinds of IAPs: Internet service providers (ISPs) and online services (OLSs). And there's a world of difference between the two.

The ISP will simply connect you to the Internet. Nothing else. You get a dial-in number, a couple of DNS name servers, an account ID and a password, and all you have to do is log in.

OLSs on the other hand seemingly offer you more: when you connect you're at a portal, i.e. a page run by the OLS company. You might have more than email here too - chat rooms, search engines, special pages 'for members only'.

But in general it's better to stick with an ISP. OLSs are notorious for limited versatility. Also, they're not free, and often debit you for online time. You don't want that. In fact, what you want - and can expect today - is free online time.

More and more ISPs are offering free services. Most have strings attached, such as demographic tracking, so it pays to be wary and it pays to read the fine print. The pay by month ISP is probably the way to go.

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