ISP Review gives some tips on choosing an ISP

• B) Slow replies or none at all from support phone calls or E-Mails.
  C) Unusually slow downloads and a high amount of network latency (ping times increase), increasing steadily over time (only broadband and ISDN users can really tell of such changes).
  

Any one of these indicators can point to problems within the network and if they're sustained then it's almost always down to economics/lack of investment. ISPs whom retain such problems for any length of time should be approached with caution. In the future providers will have to meet much stricter criteria for being allowed to operate (quality control), but not yet, so be warned.

6) Stay Informed:
Now you've got a rough idea of what you're looking for in a provider then it's a good idea to do some background research on any you find interesting. This is the reason sites like ISP Review exist, to keep people informed of the changing ISP climate.

Before choosing any provider you should use the site to conduct the following information searches:

• A) Search the news for the name of any ISPs you're interested in, this will show any recent changes, new services and or big problems.
  B) Check the associated official ISP lists for your ISP type (Unmetered, ADSL etc.) to see if there's any official comment on its quality or services.
  C) Check to see if it's been reviewed.
  D) Check to see if it's mentioned on the complaints page and if so then to what end.
  E) Finally we'd advise anybody after a broadband or unmetered ISP to pay a visit to our 'Specific ISP Forums', where anybody can comment on almost any provider. The best source of information and advice often comes from the regular users of that ISP.
  

By now you should have a good idea of which provider suits you and has the best track record.

7) Don't Choose On Price Alone:
Never ever let price be your guide when choosing a provider, service stability, speed and quality should always be put above cost. History has shown the cheapest providers often start out inexpensive, get more expensive and then finally end up facing closure.

Some good advice is to always be cautious around any unmetered 24/7 (24 hours a day / 7 days a week) provider offering a good system for under £10 per month. Generally this is considered to be an economic risk and most providers who've tried it haven't survived past 10 - 11 months.

Despite this the industry changes on a regular basis and what might be unstable one year could be perfect the next. Having read all this you should have some idea of exactly what to look for in a provider, which we hope will allow you to make the most informed choice possible. Just remember, ISPs change so much that it's impossible to predict exactly what'll happen next, even the best can fall.

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