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What is an ISP?
An
ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company
that provides third party access to the
Internet. Customers simply use their modem
to connect to the ISP, which then links
them to the Internet automatically. Although
the prices and facilities of ISPs differ,
they all offer some standard basic services
such as 24 hour Internet access, a unique
e-mail address for your company, storage
space for your own Web site and basic
software programmes for browsing the Internet.
Some ISPs, also referred to as on-line
information providers, provide extra services
such as access to databases of business
information.
How
do I choose an ISP?
ISPA
strongly recommends that customers chose
an ISP that is a member of ISPA. ISPA members sign
up to the ISPA Code of Conduct which ensures
that they will provide a certain level
of service and abide by an industry approved
set of standards.
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How
many ISPs are there in the UK?
There
are currently about 400 ISPs operating in the
UK. However, this includes many "virtual
ISPs", which are in fact branded "interfaces"
supported by the services of established ISPs.
What
services do your members offer?
ISPA
does not provide detailed information on the
services offered by our members. We recommend
that you contact our members directly for full
up to date information on specific services.
Go to our full list of members for direct links
to the home pages of our members.
And
internationally?
A full
list of ISPs organised by country can be found
at http://www.aol.com.pk/isp.htm
Are there ISPAs in other
countries?
Yes
there are! Check out http://www.aol.com.pk/countries
ISPA Complaints Procedure
How
do I make a complaint about an ISPA member?
Included
in the ISPA Code of Conduct are provisions for
a standard complaints procedure.
If
you have a complaint about an ISP which is a
member of ISPA, please send a full description
of the complaint and the name of the ISP by
EMAIL to [email protected] .
In
the first instance, we will then forward the
complaint to our contact at the ISP requesting
that they ensure that the problem is resolved
ASAP. If the customer is not satisfied with
the result, they are entitled to request ISPA
Secretariat to initiate the ISPA Standards Complaints
Procedure, for which there is a standard charge
of $15.
We
have a very high rate of success in solving
any problems between customers and ISPA members
before the official procedure needs to be launched.
How
do I make a complaint about a non-ISPA member?
ISPA
has no influence over ISPs who are not members
of the Association. If you have a problem with
an ISP which is not an ISPA member, we recommend
that you contact your local Trading Standards
office.
Statistics
Where
can I find statistics about Internet Usage in
the Pakistan?
Numbers
of people are online, international internet
access costs, demographics: www.aol.com.pk/surveys
Internet
usage statistics: www.ispreview.co.uk/statistics.shtml
For
statistics on .uk domain name registration statistics,
visit www.aol.com.pk/news/stats
Internet
market research which includes business surveys:
www.aol.com.pk/surveys
How
the Internet and other technologies are changing
traditional consumer industries?
Strategic
and business implications of new media, UK Internet
users monitor, internet reports for sale, free
summaries and press releases: www.dawn.com; also try Forrester:
http://www.forrester.com
Domain Names
How
do I register a domain name?
The
organisation responsible for domain name registrations
in the UK is Nominet. For information on domain
name registration, please visit www.aol.com.pk/domainreg/.
Nominet's guide to registering a .pk domain
name can be seen at www.pknic.net.pk
How do I become a domain
name registrar?
Any
Internet Service Provider wishing to become
a domain name registrar should contact AOL
www.aol.com.pk/registrarapp
and complete the Membership Application
Form which can be found www.aol.com.pk/registrarapp/application.htm.
However Applicants should be aware that does
not provide operational name servers (or other
Internet facilities) or any legal, technical
or other support.
To find registration statistics for .pk domain
names, visit www.aol.com.pk/news/stats
To
find out hosting details for currently used
.uk domain names, visit www.aol.com.pk/whois.html
The
Registry for the .com, .org and .net Top Level
Domain Names is Network Solutions. Their
site is at www.networksolutions.net .
A full list of International domain name registries
can be found at www.uninett.no/navn/domreg.html
ICANN
is the Internet Corporation for Assigned names
and numbers in the US - domain name disputes,
see them at www.icann.org/udrp/udrp.htm
WIPO
is an internet process to develop recommendations
concerning the intellectual property issues
associated with International domain names,
include domain name dispute resolution.
http://ecommerce.wipo.int/domains/process/eng/processhome.html
Further
FAQs on domain names http://www.internic.net/faq.html
Setting up in the Internet
Business
For
information about sources of support and funding
for technology development, visit the DTI's
section on Citizens and Consumers in the Information
Age at http://www.dti.gov.uk/infoage/index.htm#two_one
The
Information Society Initiative also gives impartial
advice for small businesses. Their website is
www.isi.gov.uk/isi/
Advice
on setting up can be found in 'Small firms -
a guide to regulatory requirements' at http://www.dti.gov.uk/COMMS/business/index.htm
Information
on Telecommunications Licensing and other issues
can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/telecom/
How do I become an ISP?
Please
see http://www.isp.com/res/r4002-00.html
for details on how to become an ISP. This
page contains links to business plans and provides
helpful hints on how to become an ISP no matter
what your budget.
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