If we wanted to offer 56k internet access as a commercial product, what would we need in terms of hardware, software, etc? Specifics would really help, thanks :)

Originally posted by inbuco
If we wanted to offer 56k internet access as a commercial product, what would we need in terms of hardware, software, etc? Specifics would really help, thanks :)

A digital line (T1) from your TELCO, a remote access server (RAS), a RADIUS server, web, ftp, mail, dns etc etc.

Good billing software (most use custom software).

Good tech support.

That's about all I can think of right now. 56K is almost dead, so the costs *may* be really low (under $10,000.00).

As far as the actual dialin numbers, I'd recommend going through a national/international wholesale provider. Below are some wholesale providers:

http://www.flexpop.net/
http://www.dialupusa.net/

Custom software may be needed, but their are packages on the market for ISPs. Below are a few software vendors:

http://www.ic-isp.com/
http://www.optigold.com/
http://www.rodopi.com/

The above links, should help you give you some ideas.

56K is dead? The other option would be cable but I imagine you have to own a cable company and dsl requires much more bandwidth, suggestions?

Originally posted by inbuco
56K is dead? The other option would be cable but I imagine you have to own a cable company and dsl requires much more bandwidth, suggestions?

Not dead as in dead dead, just on life support. Most areas now offer cable/dsl, so why bother with 56k?? If you live in an area where there is no high speed service, then 56K is alive & well.

Also look at your local market (or where you plan to offer your service). If you live in a place with $9.99/unlimited packages all over the place, would you really invest all the time and money?? Chances are you'll lose, along with your time and investment. There is very little money in the access department. Most ISP's sell hosting, web design etc so one service pays for the other and they turn a profit.

I recommend www.boardtown.com platypus :agree:

The ISP i work for has 40,000 clients on the platypus system. BTW why dont you start out as a VISP, then when you have a good client base move over to your own equipment.

try also isppath.com

56K is far from being dead. Even some of us that have cable like having a dial-up 56K ISP for back-up. There are a multitude of other reasons too why people use 56K; but the number one reason is cost - it's cheaper.

Also for people who just browse and check their email - dial is the way to go :)

Don't forget that you MUST provide phone tech support or you are in a big trouble (if you want to be successful) :)

we got into this a year ago

it has been a money loser for us

we plan on early termination of contract with dialupusa

all that glitters is not gold

in this case its not scrap metal

our advice- let aol have this business

The market is full of low cost internet providers. The thing to think about before starting out is what can you provide that others cannot? If the answer is nothing then dont waste your money starting out.

Cari.net / host2own

Depending on location cost is $7 or $9 ($5 in California). Monthly charge for administration etc is $50.

we plan on early termination of contract with dialupusa

How was Dialupusa as a service provider? What network did you choose? UUNET?

We are curious as we are looking to move our ISP clients to Dialupusa from Megapop.

We use dialupusa to offer dialup accounts primarily to friend / family or high margin customers who are traveling and need a dialup account for a few days to a month. We don't have any problems with them, but we don't

We did at one point offer dialup accounts to the general public, it was a tech support nightmare. You have to deal with every Tom, Dick and Harry's screwed up Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME OS's. There are just way too many things that can go wrong on the client end - lots and lots of human error, bad drivers, bad TCP/IP, bad modem, bad computer, bad phone line - its just a real nightmare.

Supporting hosting is much easier because of the fact its your customers responsiblity to actually get on the Internet. Once they're on, walking them through setting out Outlook is a piece of cake.

UmBillyCord,,

dialupusa has ok support, but in the end 56k is dead as a money maker...

we will be leaving it soon, lost some $$ on the venture,


live and learn..

I think it all goes according to how well you planned, who you planned with and what kind of budget you are looking at. Dialup for the most part has another 20 years with us if not more. I personally enjoy its benefit for back up service.

Right now I'm transitioning from DSL to Cable and dialup is the only thing keeping me afloat.

I don't know about the next 20 years (as a pay for service) :eek: I hope not! Most DSL providers offer *free* backup dial-up. If your on cable, get DSL! :stickout

If you go with a service that offers multi-pop access for a low monthly fee, you *might* make something, or just break even.

If I were going to start an ISP today, I'd go the VISP way.