INTERNET ACCESS FROM $6.95 PER MONTH!!!

The Center for Information Technology Services (CITS) is announcing a new service for remote access to campus technology services. It has become necessary to eliminate the campus modem pool after the end of the fall 2003 semester. The existing modem pool provides a less than satisfactory way for members of the UMB community to access the Internet or campus IT services from off campus. It is often fully utilized resulting in the inability of many persons to "get on line". In these difficult budget times a massive investment in expanding the current capabilities is not feasible.

Hundreds of students, faculty, and staff have been surveyed and/or engaged in conversation to discuss how best to replace the modem pool. Mandatory requirements from this group included the following:

• Reliable, always available dial up service
  
• Virus protection
  
• Ability to access campus data services, including e-mail, from anywhere
  
• Discounted price
  
• Excellent Support available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week
  
• A strong privacy policy
  
• Pop-ups and SPAM control
  
• A high speed option at a higher price

CITS has spent several months meeting with vendors and analyzing Internet Service Providers' (ISPs) ability to meet the above requirements. It is our hope to offer a single vendor solution at discounted prices. We are still in conversation with a number of vendors in anticipation of providing this. In the interim, we are sharing the results of our analysis with the UMB community. On this page we provide links to ISP services that meet the criteria outlined by the UMB community. We have tested these services, their support systems, and inspected their infrastructure. We have found them to be viable companies, which are capable of meeting the Internet access needs of the UMB community. By following the links on this page you may learn more about their service offerings and pricing. You may also link to automated registration screens to sign up for service.

We have identified a variety of services. You may sign up for a very limited (and very inexpensive) service, an unlimited and slightly more expensive dial up service, a slightly more expensive service with a guarantee of reliability that includes rebates if down time exceeds 30 minutes per month. You may also opt for high speed Internet Access and take advantage of current marketing offers from industry leaders Comcast, Earthlink, and Verizon. For more information on this program, contact the Assistance and Service Center Help Desk at (410) 706-HELP.

Vendors:

Chesapeake.Net from Southern Maryland Internet
Low Cost, 24X7 Internet Access with one e-mail Account. Other options, such as parental controls and SPAM control, are available for additional cost.

Inside the Internet
I3 offers customized service exclusively for University of Maryland students, faculty, and staff. All Basic plans include dial-up access from anywhere in the U.S., flexible sign-up terms and payment options, 24/7 email support, guaranteed 99.99% uptime, spam and parental controls. Live support is available with premium plans. 

Verizon
For persons only wishing occasional Internet access, this service is for five hours per month at $6.95!

Broad Band (High Speed) Services:
UMB has not yet developed a program to provide broad band service to our Students, Faculty, and Staff at below market rates. Until we do, we will simply point you toward some of the vendors in our region that can provide these services.

Comcast
High-speed cable modem service (not available everywhere)

Verizon
DSL Service (not available everywhere) 

Earthlink
Dial-up, broad band, and Wireless

Netzero
Dial-up Internet service for only $9.95 per month.