choose an ISP.(Internet service provider)(Brief Article)

For businesses today, access to the Internet is becoming as essential as telephone service. Consumers have taken a liking to the convenience of e-mail communication, which can also serve as a cost-effective alternative to faxes. And while true electronic commerce has yet to gain widespread acceptance, customers do appreciate being able to browse an online catalog.

The first step in going online is to choose an Internet service provider (ISP) -- a process that can be simpler than one might think.

The type of Internet service a company needs depends on the number of employees, the size of their technology budget and their computing needs, said Greg Ryan, director of operations for Apex Interactive Inc., a Wauwatosa-based Web site design firm.

A dial-up Internet connection costs as little as $20 a month, but is inconvenient if the …