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Netzero Internet Service

NetZero is an Internet service provider known for offering super cheap (even free) dial-up service, but NetZero now offers DSL in a few areas. NetZero was once a completely free service (hence the "zero" in the name "net zero"), now this once ad-cluttered cost-free ISP has begun charging small amounts for unlimited dial-up service and even DSL. Net zero now offers a wide variety of dial-up plans and other features, though their DSL high speed access is not yet available nationwide. For people looking for a basic dial up Internet service, NetZero is your cheapest option.

NetZero is jointly owned, along with Juno, by a company called United Online. UnitedOnline.com was formed when Net Zero and Juno Online merged in 2001. UnitedOnline is not just for NetZero and Juno users; they also own a family of websites and companies that includes 50megs.com, BlueLight Internet Services, and Classmates Online, Inc. Classmates Online operates popular people search and social networking sites like Classmates.com, StayFriends.de, StayFriends.se and Trombi.com.

The services provided by NetZero vary in price range, including a basic free service for people looking for a free Internet connection.

Choosing an ISP - netzero internet service

When it comes time to compare ISPs (Internet service providers), different factors come into play. For some people, cost is no option. These are the high speed junkies with T1 lines blazing through the Internet at a million miles per hour. Other people are more cost conscious, less concerned with computer speed up and connection speed than the monthly bill. NetZero is a reliable dialup service, and if cost is your main consideration, you have to give NetZero a look. If you only use the Internet for email and a few other functions, 56 k (56k) connection speeds get the job done.

NetZero Platinum internet service

NetZero's Platinum Service is an enhanced version of their free ad supported NetZero Internet service. NetZeroPlatinum.com features a small web access toolbar without the advertising banners included on the free service's ZeroPort toolbar.

At $9.95 per month, Platinum users get no advertising banners, personalized My Netzero start page, and unlimited Internet access with dialup speeds. NetZero Platinum may not offer the kind of competitive speeds you can get for three or four times more money per month, but there are lots of features that make NetZero Platinum worthwhile.

Some these features include:

Free Message Center accounts for communicating with support staff
Fast and reliable dialup connection speeds
Instant Messaging built in to the browser
Thousands of different access numbers to make connecting easier

NetZero DSL Internet Service

For people who want the benefits of high speed Internet access at a lower rate than most major carriers, there's NetZero DSL. There are three "categories" of NetZero DSL, meaning you can get fast download speeds on your home computer at three different price points.

Netzero DSL Saver Internet Service

This plan starts out at just $9.95 a month for the first 6 months, then the price goes up to $22.95 a month. The DSL Saver plan is a promotional deal -- NetZero hopes people will try out their basic DSL service for under $10 a month, and that the 768Kbps download speeds will convince them to stick around once the price goes up. If you want to try DSL before you buy, the DSL Saver plan gets you much faster speeds than NetZero dialup service for not much more cash.

Netzero DSL Pro 50X Internet Service

Yes, this plan is $31.95 a month, but with average speeds as high as 3.0 Mbps, you're getting true high speed Internet for about fifteen bucks less than NetZero's competition.

Netzero DSL Ultra 115X

The fastest Internet access NetZero offers is their DSL Ultra 115x plan. For just under $45 a month, you can have web speeds up to 7.1 Mbps. Similarly fast DSL plans will set you back at least ten bucks more, so if you're looking for a good DSL connection under $50, check out NetZero's DSL Ultra 115x plan.

NetZero Internet Service Features

Though NetZero offers many of the basic features you'd expect from an ISP (such as a one-gigabyte email service, spam protection, virus protection and a pop-up blocker) it lacks many of the extras you may have come to expect from a web service provider. More expensive ISP services offer features like parental controls, remote dial-up, and web filters, all of which are absent from the "Net0" service.

NetZero's built in variety of web services is more than adequate for most people's low cost ISP needs. The bare bones free Internet service only gives those basic and limited features that come with all ISP services -- the ability to connect to the Internet being the main feature.

The middle of the road service, called Unlimited Dial-Up Service, features a money back guarantee and includes features like Internet connection without time limits, a reliable connection service, and the web-based e-mail plans you've come to expect from your ISP.

The third and most expensive dialup service NetZero offers is called Accelerated Dial-Up service. Claiming that this service is 5 times faster than their standard web connection, Accelerated dialup service from Netzero includes a higher speed Internet connection, added security features like Norton AntiVirus, and a much needed pop-up blocker. Accelerated Internet depends on an accelerator boost to give you a faster dialup connection speed. Using the Accelerated Dialup service, you can access web services faster, while still enjoying the affordable Internet and "always on internet" connection that everyone else enjoys for a much lower price.

Accelerated dialup from Netzero gives you the best access to the Internet that you can get for the money. At just under $15 a month, Accelerated Dialup from Netzero is the best cheap ISP you can find, just like Netzero's free connection service is the best free ISP around. Using Accelerated dialup to boost your dialup Internet speed just makes sense -- the Netzero browser accelerator gives you a fast connection, fast email service, fast online times, and even faster downloading than the already manageable speeds found with the basic dialup package. Faster downloads means less time waiting around twiddling your thumbs.

NetZero offers include add-ons, which add features to your connection for additional monthly costs. This is a good idea because it enables you to customize your ISP to include the features you want and avoid high prices by not paying for features that you'll never use.

NetZero also has a plan that allows you to add some of NetZero's features to your broadband or DSL connection. DSL is much faster than Netzero's dialup service, so you can use your existing faster online DSL connection and faster surfing times along with the features you love from Netzero. Though the fastest Internet speeds (DSL and higher) aren't attainable for every Netzero customer, they do have a good web accelerator service, giving you the option of adding Netzero features to your non-Netzero DSL connection. This means you can improve your Internet speed with a DSL connection without losing the Netzero features you're used to.

Netzero DSL Service Area

NetZero offers service nationwide. Surf the net with a totally free ISP or upgrade to the faster Accelerated service for a little more money per month for the best experience possible surfing the internet. Because NetZero's dialup service runs through your phone line, just about anyone can subscribe to NetZero as long as they have a home phone. Check out Netzero.com to see if the Netzero dialup Internet service is available in your area.

To find out if there is NetZero DSL service in your area, check out their front page at NetZero.net. Just type in your home phone number to find out if NetZero DSL is available in your neck of the woods.

NetZero Internet Service Connection Speeds

NetZero's top of the line accelerated dialup Internet service, known as HiSpeed 3G, is as fast as their competition's low-end broadband connections. The fact remains that using HiSpeed 3G means using your basic 56k dialup Internet connection and attempting to reach broadband speeds -- you're still limited by the fact that NetZero uses dialup.

How does NetZero increase their dialup speed? NetZero uses data compression, image optimization, memory enhancement, continuous optimization, and even pop-up blocking to increase the dialup speed to something akin to broadband. NetZero is easily the most efficient dial-up service on the market, but claims about "broadband" speeds should be taken with a grain of salt.

NetZero DSL, where available, runs from about $10 to about $45 a month, and the cost depends on the connection speed you want. There are three DSL services to pick from, each a different speed. Apparently, NetZero has about a third of the country covered by their DSL service, and they're adding more areas every month.

NetZero.com Customer Service and Support

Low cost ISPs like Netzero.com are not known for awesome customer service. When you buy low price Internet service, you can't expect all the features of a more expensive service, and NetZero is clearly the lowest price Internet connection available. Still, NetZero has more than a couple of ways for customers experiencing trouble with the service to get assistance and technical support. From extensive FAQs, to phone support and live email technical support, you can get help with your NetZero questions twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

NetZero offers an Internet bargain that is second to none. Yes, you'll be using dial-up speeds to get your Internet discount (unless NetZero DSL is available) but using the Internet download accelerator available at NetZero can help you get over the dialup blues. Some of the other leading internet service providers offer low cost options, but don't give you the choice of using Internet email, and may offer no Internet options beyond a single plan. Internet price is a big factor in many people's decision about what ISP to use -- your Internet service provider choice makes a big difference in your bottom line and in your Internet speed up capabilities. If your main concern when hunting for a reliable, low cost ISP is that low cost, then NetZero is a viable option that has been in business for years. elsewhere.