THE LOCAL BEEF ON ISPs.

• Author: KIMBALL, SUZANNE
• Position: Brief Article

The Internet may be evolving at a rate at which even Darwin would be proud. But let's face it, most businesses have a hard time keeping up with that progress. Take local Internet access for example. While the number of Utah-based internet service providers (ISPs) has more than tripled in the last four years, and most now offer a broad choice of Web services, chances are many Utah businesses aren't shopping around for a new ISP. The perceived hassle of switching from a national service or even to a different local ISP may keep some Utah businesses attached to Internet access that's anything but evolved.

But with at least 175 local providers now offering a range of services from Web hosting to two-megabyte wireless connections, Internet access in Utah has come a long way. Utah businesses may want to consider the following if it's time to re-think their ISP.

The ISP Next Door

Some companies fear local ISPs won't be able to service them if they're located in remote areas. But most large local ISPs now cover all areas of the state and, in fact, may offer better service than national providers. "We have found Utah ISPs generally have more reliable coverage than many national ISPs because local providers service only a specified number of users," says Chad VanZanten, cofounder of Logan-based Iodynamics LLC, a Web programming and Internet consulting firm. VanZanten says it only makes sense for Utah companies to be located near their ISP. "Why send out to the West coast for a pound of beef when you can get it at the local supermarket?"

The Need for Speed

With DSL and broadband wireless services becoming more prolific, affordable high-speed access is something Utah ISPs of all sizes can now offer. Salt Lake City-based XMission offers DSL and 56 kilobytes per second dial-up services for the same price. And companies such as ArosNet, Airnet, and ReliaNet all provide wireless services that transfer data 50 times faster than dial-up modems. Because local ISPs' ratio of users to modems isn't as high as some national providers, users are less likely to face busy signals or down times.

Making a Move

If it's time to make a move, how can a company know if they're selecting a good ISP? "One way to tell is by how long the provider has been in business," says Doran Barton, co-founder of Iodynamics LLP. "Any ISP that's been around for three years or more is going to offer good service. So look for companies with a history."

A good ISP will generally charge...