Here are answers to some of the questions people ask themselves when choosing an ISP How long do I have to wait for a line during peak hours? ISPs make money by sharing dial-in lines among many users, the more users that share a set of lines the harder it is to get access. The user to modem ratio has been used in the past to judge how difficult it is to get a line. This is ok if ISPs are using the same pricing models, but with different pricing models it can be a bit like comparing apples and bananas. For example, an ISP that charges $5/hour can have a user to modem ration in excess of 30:1 (30 users per modem) but still be relatively easy to get access because of the high cost of staying connected, while a backyard operation charging a flat rate "all you can eat" pricing model may have a user to modem ratio of 7:1 and be virtually impossible to get a free line. A better question is how long is the average wait during peak connection time to get a free line? CIA's pricing model ensures that a generous allocation of hours is given to each pricing plan but not so many that people leave themselves connected for hours on end, tying up valuable lines simply to guarantee a connection. We strive to maintain our average wait during peak hour to under 1 minute.

Dialup1 Home Pricing, features and conditions Permanent Connections ADSL PSTN & ISDN Options and Extras Extra mailboxes, CGI and more Points of Presence Local dialup access numbers

The setup procedure for an internet connection can be quite a complex operation, and any errors in the process will result in frustrating cryptic messages from your computer and worse still no connection at all. Make sure your chosen ISP uses a connection wizard with an automatic setup procedure. It's not uncommon for some users to take days or longer to try and configure an internet connection. CIA uses Netscape's connection wizard to ensure the quickest setup possible. Simply insert the CDrom, point, click and answer the questions, and the wizard does the rest. As a bonus you receive a free copy of Netscape web browser, email and news readers, an $US80 value, pre-configured to get you surfing fast.

Is there a connection time limit?

Many ISPs don't tell you that there is a limit to the duration of one session. After a certain number of hours their server will boot you off, forcing you to go through the lottery of trying to get a dialin line again. Not only is this annoying but it is costly too, and can easily double the cost of your access. CIA servers do not limit the time of a single session. If you need to stay connected for, say, 8 hours then that is possible.

Do I pay for busy signals?

Some ISPs send their dialin lines through a PABX, resulting in the call always being accepted in the first instance even though the PABX may then give a busy signal. This results in you being charged for busy signals. This can be very expensive. CIA dialin lines are all direct and you are not charged by your telco for busy signals.

How big is your proxy?

A good proxy setup is always an asset for an ISP. It caches web pages locally and, if setup correctly, means significantly faster downloads for end users. CIA runs one of the largest proxy caches per user in Australia, resulting in significant performance enhancements. Furthermore, proxying is completely transparent to end users, all you see is fast downloads. CIA's proxy is maintained at roughly 20gig/1000 users. That's a lot of pages coming down at the full speed of your modem!

Is my traffic shaped?

In today's competitive environment, ISPs use every trick in the book to gain an edge in their margins. Many offering "No download limits" often "traffic shape" user data flows, that is, they put a bandwidth cap on the amount of data that can go to a set of dialin modems. The cap ensures that an end user never gets what they pay for. The software and hardware to do this is now available in "low end" routers used by even small shops. And this practice is not limited to small ISPs, some very large ISPs offering flat rate permanent connections apparently use traffic shaping to maintain a margin, which on a clear unrestricted connection could simply not be maintained with the prices charged. After all a business can not survive reselling below costs, can it? Caveat Emptor! CIA uses no traffic shaping whatsoever, we strive to provide as much bandwidth as our users require. In fact our pricing model encourages us to provide you with maximum bandwidth and hence speed. If your downloads during busy periods start off very fast but slow down to a crawl after a few minutes, this could be a sign that your traffic is being shaped. It could also mean the international links are under provisioned, or the remote site is busy. To be sure you need to compare the same download with an ISP that doesn't traffic shape.

Will I pay more for 56k or faster dialups?

Many people take out a long term contract with an ISP only to find they cannot have access to new technology without paying a premium on top of what they already pay. CIA's pricing model ensures that your account grows with you: there is no extra charges for 56k dialin, or for that matter 64k or even 128k dialups. We encourage you to dial in at the highest speed you can afford at your end.

Can I change to a different pricing scheme if my usage changes?

You probably can already guess that with CIA you can change your pricing plan on a pro-rata basis at any time, without penalty, so you are not forced to pay "full flat rates" if your usage goes down.

Are any ports blocked and can my computer get winnuked?

Certain applications like Real Audio or video conferencing can use a good amount of expensive traffic. To combat this, some ISPs simply block the ports that allow these applications to work. The result is that many applications simply won't function with these ISPs. "Unlimited" usually means anything but. Port blocking means you are paying for but not getting a full service. Certain other ports need to be blocked to prevent hackers being able to crash your computer remotely with the WinNuke program. WinNuke works due to bugs in microsoft windows. These ports don't run any applications that require internet access, so are safe to block. CIA only blocks the ports that can be used for malicious intent. All applications such as real audio and internet phone, work just fine on our network.

Will I be subsidising very heavy users?

Many ISPs have a one size fits all pricing scheme. The result is the majority of users end up subsidising a few very heavy users. Great for the chronic users, bad for the majority who could benefit from a price cut. CIA provide excellent value access whatever your budget. Our pricing plans, which start at $9.95, mean you won't be subsidising chronic users. Each plan provides a decent number of hours and a generous chunk of traffic, which equates to just plain old-fashioned good value.

Do I get bonuses for signing up my friends?

As a reward for introducing your friends and colleagues to our service, we offer a $20 bonus incentive for each new customer you bring us. This is in the form of credit to your account.This means that if you regularly get your friends connected with us, you could end up surfing for free.

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