Local Phone Access
One advantage of using the Internet for information gathering and disseminaion is its low cost and flat monthly fee.
Your cost savings can vanish instantly, however, if you choose an access provider that’s a long-distance phone call away. Although the various telecommunications companies might appreciate your use, it’s a sure bet that your first phone bill will be enough to make you rethink your Internet connection strategy!
This isn’t a problem if you sign up with an Internet access provider in your city, but it’s something to think about when considering whether to hook up with a national or international Internet network.
For example, Computer Witchcraft, one of the Internet providers that Rosalind uses, charges $8 an hour to log on if you dial direct to the company’s computer in Louisville, Kentucky, but $15.20 an hour or more if you dial in through the company’s toll-free number. With Delphi you pay an extra $9 an hour to log in through the local SprintNet gateway if you log on during business hours.
The good news is that many of the biggest Internet providers are beginning to offer local dialup access in a variety of locations throughout the United States. For example, Netcom Communications Service, with computers in the San Francisco area, has local dialup numbers in Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, New York City, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Austin, Texas. This can be a double boon if you travel and want to remain connected without paying for long-distance phone calls.