All Internet Services Are Not Created Equal (NAPSA)—If you haven’t connected to the Internet yet, it’s easier than you think. And if you feel it’s time for a change, now’s the time because top-notch Internet services are more affordable than ever. Today more than 150 million Internet users log onto the World Wide Web—a number expected to skyrocket to a half-billion over the next two to three years. A few years ago, most Internet services charged more than $20 a month. That isn’t the case anymore. The explosion of Internet users has driven costs down. Now prices range from under $5 a month to more than $20. But before you sign up or switch services be sure to choose a company you know andtrust. And as with any decision, do a little research. Does the company have a privacy policy? You may not want your personal information shared. Does the company have reliable customer support? You never know when you might run into a problem. Andit’s great to have a service that offers several e-mail IDs, personal Web pages, instant messaging and custom content. But when you can’t access features because of network congestion or when you do log in the connection moves at a snail’s pace, what’s the point? One of the best places to find information on reliable Internet services is J.D. Power and Associates, which conducts surveys based on thousands of consumer experiences. Several options are available when choosing a service. And most companies makethe transition simple. You might have to load software and change e-mail addresses, but depending on your situation, it may be worthit. SomeInternet services offer both stand-alone and package deals. For example, AT&T WorldNet Service is $4.95 a monthalone, or $7 a month including 7-cents-aminute long distance service. To find out more about AT&T WorldNet Services, visit www. att.com/worldnet, or call 800- WorldNet.
