Good global ISP?
 

I have not done much international travel in the last 7 years, but find that I am out of the US more and more these days. My current Internet provider only has dial in nodes in the United States. I would like to switch to a provider that is very strong in the United States but also has a good global presence.

I use the standard Windows application suite for Internet access: Dial Up Networking, Internet Explorer, Outlook (for e-mail), and Outlook Express (for Usenet). I am not interested in a provider that has any special front ends I have to use like AOL.

I tried Mindspring with Global Roaming last fall when I went to the Netherlands but was never able to make a connection, and their tech support was not helpful in trying to resolve my problem. They're off my list.

Can anyone suggest an ISP that meets my criteria? And would anyone like to suggest ISPs to avoid?

Thanks in advance...

Ibm which is now owned by ATT has a good global service. It is now called ATTGLOBAL.net. A couple of years ago there was no roaming fees so you could access from almost anywhere. Now if you are off your home continent, you pay about $7.50/hr, but the connections are sure and they have a very long list of global local access numbers.

i can second the vote for ATT. they have very good connections and a long list of access numbers. the only problem (for some people) is that they haven't been authorized to take over all of IBM's nodes so if you are a new subscriber you can't use those numbers yet. otherwise they are a good choice.

A third recommendation for attglobal.net.

Another option is Compuserve.

If you are not a Compuserve (Classic Compuserve) member already, forget it. If you are, they still have a good selection of nodes worldwide.

I have given up trying to find an ISP with consistent international service.

Instead what I have begun doing is dialing long distance back to the US using one of those prepaid long distance calling cards. From most western European countries, the per minute charge is only 10-12 cents (some cards are only 7 cents) per minute, which adds up to $6-7.20 per hour. Also, since I am dialing a local toll free access number, I generally do not worry about hotel telephone charges.

During my last trip to the UK, I dialed back to my trusty 56K access point in San Jose, CA and had no problems.

This may seem a bit archaic, but I haven't had to deal with trying to find an international access node (at a decent connect rate) in quite a while.

Not a bad idea. What's your connect speed though?

I've never gone anywhere where I couldn't use CompuServe, even Beijing.

There is a shareware program called FindCIS that helps you localize your settings to whatever environment you find.

For anyone with an AOL Account, you have the same worldwide access as Compuserve members do. When AOL bought CIS they took ownership of CIS' network and renamed it AOLGLOBALNET. I've used my account all over Europe and even in Cairo, never any problems. AOL charges a $6/hr premium, but well worth it.

onedog,

What prepaid card have you been using? Price you have been paying is excellent. Best I can find charges an extra one to two minutes for every true minute used. Instead of 10-12 cents per minute, it would be 20-24, or 30-36, etc.

Craig

[This message has been edited by Craig6z (edited 02-10-2000).]

I, too, have given up on int'l access. Most hotels now have internet access in the business centers and if not there are always the internet cafes...

Compuserve has one of the best international networks. Compuserve's network was purchased by Worldcom when AOL bought out the content part of Compuserve. It's now been merged into UUNET's service offerings, however now only through a corporate dial up service.

UUNET has global-type dial up accounts, then has "roaming agreements" with other providers worldwide, in areas which they don't service.

It sounds like AT&T has the best seamless global service out now, that Compuserve is not readily accessable.

I have to rain on the ATTGlobal.net parade.

I've used IBM.net for over 5 1/2 years.
The service has gone downhill since ATT took
over. I'd say every aspect of the service has gone downhill.

I wouldn't recommend anyone to use them.

It's funny that attglobal.net has just gotten a slap in the face. I am in Nashville right now and the attglobal.net doesn't answer for the connection here, but of course the 800 line does at a tremendous speed of 19.2.

QuietLion,

Connect speeds are actually pretty good. My last Europe trip about a month ago at the Marriot County Hall I was consistently getting 46600 connecti0ns. I am not a networking guy, but I think since you are using the same phone line dialing out of the hotel and then dialing to a 56k site, speeds are pretty good and should be the same as if you were to be dialing to a local 56k access node? Lot cheaper than the hourly rates charged for internet access in the hotel business center, and also this way you can download email directly to your laptop computer.

Craid6z,

The prepaid card I use is just one from the American Airlines inflight magazine. Prices are pretty good, with no monthly fee. It just took me a few tries to configure my modem to dial correctly (you have to put in enough commas in the dialing sequence to make your modem pause before dialing access # then password # etc. I always load it up with $50 before I leave on a trip.