Internet Connectivity Options

Connect97

Washington and Lee University offers a free dial-up service called Connect97. It is a limited service open to all students, faculty and staff. It is not intended to be a full-service Internet Service. There is a limit of 10 hours of access per week. To connect to this service, create a Dialup Network adapter icon to dial 462-2881 and simply use your Novell username and password to authenticate to the service. If you need more details, checkout http://computing.wlu.edu/howto/web/connect97info.html

If W&L's free dial-up will not meet your needs, we've compiled a list of providers in the area, as well as the types of connections available in the Lexington area. Specifics on each plan are available at the end of this document. This information was correct at the time of printing, but is subject to change. Check with the service providers below to confirm any prices you see here.

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ISPs in the Lexington Area

Company Information
LexFirst Internet 17 North Randolph Street Lexington, VA 24450 (540) 464-4500 www.lexfirst.net	Ntelos, Inc. Stonewall Square Shopping Center 100 E. Midland Trail Unit 210 Lexington, VA 24450 Contact: Mike Baker Phone: 540-885-8512
EagleNet Communications, LLC (also known as Virginia Internet Express) 1791A South High Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 443-7722 888-465-1059	Rockbridge Global Village 312 South Main Street Lexington, VA 24450 Phone: 540-463-4451 for pricing: http://www.rockbridge.net/rates.htm

 

Dial-Up Service Plans
Dial Up service utilizes your regular phone line and a modem up to 56Kbps to access the internet whenever you need it. Dial up is the choice for any user with a normal computer modem. Some plans offer a "dedicated" dial-up connection, which is continuously running. A dedicated connection is only available if you have an extra phone line solely for the internet connection.

Company	Plan Name	Price	Online Time	Email Accounts	Tech Support	Personal Web Space
EagleNet	Monthly Dial-Up	$16.95/month	Unlimited	5	9-9 phone or email support	10 mb
EagleNet	3 Months Dial-Up	$49.95/quarter	Unlimited	5	9-9 phone or email support	10 mb
EagleNet	6 Months Dial-Up	$98.70/six months	Unlimited	5	9-9 phone or email support	10 mb
EagleNet	1 Year Dial-Up	$179.40/year	Unlimited	5	9-9 phone or email support	10 mb
Intelos	1 Year Terms Subscriber, Autopay	$9.95/month	Unlimited	3	24 hour telephone support	20 mb
Intelos	No Terms Subscriber, Autopay	$16.95/month	Unlimited	3	24 hour telephone support	20 mb
Intelos	No Terms Subscriber	$21.95/month	Unlimited	3	24 hour telephone support	20 mb
Intelos	No Terms Subscriber, Dedicated	$99.95/month	Unlimited	3	24 hour telephone support	20 mb
RGV	Premium Dial-Up Account	$20/month	Unlimited	5	M-F 9-5 phone support	5 mb
RGV	Annual Subscription	$216/year	Unlimited	5	M-F 9-5 phone support	5 mb
RGV	60-Hour Dial-up	$15/month + $1/hr over limit	60 hours  per month	2	M-F 9-5 phone support	2 mb

In addition to dial-up, ISDN and DSL service is also available in the Lexington area.

ISDN

ISDN is much faster than an ordinary dial-up connection—starting at 64K. ISDN service can either be routed or non-routed. Routed service is "dedicated" or continuous, while non-routed service is dial-in. ISDN requires the installation of a data pipe by Sprint. A data pipe allows you to operate up two phone lines and a service connection simultaneously. Since ISDN lines can be used to carry voice communication, ISDN can substitute for your analog voice service and offset some of the cost of the internet connection service. This can be advantageous and cost-effective for those with a separate line installed for internet access. A downside of this service is that it requires two payments: one to Sprint and one to your service provider. Sprint charges $25/month for the data pipe. You also must purchase an ISDN modem either in installments from Sprint or in one lump sum from the service provider if you do not already have one. If you buy your modem through Sprint, it will cost $192.00, while service providers may charge up to $300.00. If you want to pursue ISDN service and need the connection installed, you can contact Sprint at 1-877-646-3282 and follow the prompts for ISDN. Sprint will charge $200 for the installation, but will waive the entire fee if you sign a 2 year contract or half the fee for a 1 year contract.

Company	Plan Name	Connection Speed	Price	Email Accts	Web Space	Tech Support	Additional Charges
Intelos	Dial-Up	64K Unlimited Connection	$19.95/month	3	20 mb	24 hour phone support	None
Intelos	Dial-Up	128K Unlimited Connection	$39.95/month	3	20 mb	24 hour phone support	$19.95 set up fee
RGV	Dial-In ISDN	64 K Unlimited Connection	$25.00/month	1	Call for info	9-9 phone or email support	Activation charge
RGV	Dial-In ISDN	128 K Unlimited Connection	$39.00/month	1	Call for info	9-9 phone or email support	Activation charge
RGV	Routed	64 K Unlimited Connection	$45.00/month	1	Call for info	9-9 phone or email support	Activation Charge
RGV	Routed	128 K Unlimited Connection	$80.00/month	1	Call for info	9-9 phone or email support	Activation Charge

DSL

DSL provides high-speed, continuous internet access. The installation and use of DSL does not involve the phone company or affect your current phone line. You pay only the service provider. LexFirst is the only company in the area to offer DSL. This service is available to anyone whose home phone number is "switched" by the local telco office. Some of the outlying areas use remote switches and will not be compatible with DSL.

Company	Speed	Price	Email Accts	Tech Support	Additional Charges
LexFirst	128 K	$29.95/month	5	Call for details	$90 set-up cost (Free w/6 mo. contract)
RGV	512/216 k	&39.00/month		M-F 9-5 Phone Support