4/22/97

A list of Chicago area internet service providers

Locate a Chicagoland Internet Service Provider near you! Using your area code and exchange you can find the names of dialup service providers near your home or business.

The Original URL

What follows is a description of the services offered, points of contact, and other information about the internet service providers in the Chicago area. The intended audience is those interested in either personal or business internet connections. The emphasis is on individual connections.

What's new?
Changes and updates
Services offered by the providers
Phone numbers of dialup providers
How to contact the service providers by phone or e-mail
Where they're located
General rate information
Other issues in selecting a provider
Map of provider access points (POPs)

WHAT'S NEW?

Ameritech is buying out Sprint/Centel's local phone service
Internet 1st is a new provider from Missouri with 31 local dialup locations
Allways is a new provider in Westmont with 5 dialup locations
SpideyWeb is a new provider in Park Forest, IL
Celestial Haven is now providing dialup access in Darien, IL
Zoots Place is a new provider in Villa Park, IL
Zap-Net is a new provider in Lyons, IL
FlashNet is a new provider from Texas with 6 area dialup locations
IDSI is a new provider in Chicago with 46 dialup locations
Hyperspace Networks (a provider of dedicated services) is out of business
McHenryCom adds ten new dialup locations
EnterAct adds 43 dialup locations (analog and ISDN)
InterWeb adds ISDN dialup
Super-Highway was shut down for a couple of days, but is back in business
SkogNet Internet upgrades to a T1 (1.5 Mbps) internet connection
Ripco adds 10 new ISDN dialup locations
Lake Online Studio is a new Internet Cafe in Antioch

NOTES
Pending regulatory approval, Ameritech will be purchasing the Sprint/Centel local phone service operation in the Chicagoland area for $160 million. This will affect anyone that currently has Sprint/Centel service. The new Ameritech customers will be billed the standard Ameritech rates. The region served by Sprint/Centel surrounds Des Plaines and covers portions of 10 other Chicagoland communities.
The map is being phased out, and will hopefully be replaced with a better map soon.
Ameritech now has 3 residential calling plans that offer untimed calls for a fixed cost. CALLPACK 100 includes 100 untimed calls for $10 per month (you pay $10 even if you only make 15 calls). Calls beyond the first 100 cost $0.10 per call. CALLPACK 250 includes 250 calls for $20/mo with additional calls costing $0.09 and CALLPACK 400 includes 400 calls for $30/mo with additional calls costing $0.08. These rate plans can offer significant cost savings for those using providers that aren't in their A band. The services are available for residential analog (POTS) service only. There are no CALLPACKs for ISDN or business lines. The CALLPACK service is available on a per-line basis for those who have multiple phone lines.
Providers are not listed in the SERVICES section unless they have a local or toll-free information and support line.

NEW 56K MODEMS
The new 56k bps (56 thousand bits per second) modems are now available in two main competing flavors. US Robotics is supporting its "x2" version of 56k modems while Lucent, Rockwell, Motorola and other vendors are supporting a version called "K56flex", (a merger of Rockwell's "K56Plus" and Lucent's "V.flex" technologies). Both x2 and K56 offer 56kbps speed only on data flowing from the internet to your computer, and 28.8kbps speed in the other direction. Your connection to your internet service provider can only have one analog to digital conversion of the signal for these asymmetric 56k services to work. However, things are happening very quickly in this area. Lucent has announced a 56k/40k modem chip and other companies are piling on with further variations and other technologies.
For now, if you intend to buy a 56k modem, make sure it is compatible with the service provided by your internet service provider. It will probably be a couple of years before there is a standard for this higher speed service, and it is quite possible that any modem you buy now will be outdated once 56k dialup communications are standardized.
It is important to note that the speed of these newer modems will be highly dependent on the quality of your phone lines. Most users will not see speeds anywhere near the top 56k rates.

CABLE ACCESS
Cable system operators in the Chicago area are beginning to provide high speed internet access via cable modems. Services are available in the Arlington Heights area from TCI using the @Home service and in Elmhurst from Continental Cablevision using the Highway1 service. These services promise speeds of over 1 megabit per second on downloads from the internet.
Besides the obvious speed advantage of cable services, use of a cable service can help avoid installation of a second phone line. Some claim that cable internet access will be slower that dialup once enough subscribers are using the service (because the bandwidth of the cable is shared), but at present these services look very attractive in a price-performance comparison.

CHANGES
Things are changing rapidly for all these service providers. New services are constantly being added and improved. Thus, you should contact the provider for up-to-date information. Discussion of this list belongs in the chi.internet newsgroup. Send any updates/corrections/comments to me (Randy Smith) at wsmith@etc.com.

SERVICES

S h S D I Dialups e L P e S B Back- 2 3 6 7 7 8 8 l Quo- I P d D B bone 1 1 3 0 7 1 4 Provider l OS ta P P . N S Modem Rate 9 2 0 8 3 5 7 Comments -------- - ----- ---- - - - - - ----- ------ - - - - - - - -------- ACCESS Chicago Y Linux 5M N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1,2,3 ACE Computers Y BSD 10M* N Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2,4 ACE Networks Y Sun 10M* N Y Y N N 288 45m+* 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1,2,3 Aim High Y BSD * Y Y Y N N 288 2x45m+* 0 6 * * * 8 * 1,2,4 AIS Y BSDI 10M Y Y Y Y N 288 2x45m+* 0 6 * * * 8 * 2,3,4 Allied Access N -- - N Y N N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1,2 Allways Y Linux * N Y Y Y N 288 2x1.5m 0 1 2 1 0 0 2 1,2,3 Alternet (UUnet) N -- - Y Y Y N N 288 45m+ 2 2 2 0 2 1 2 5 American Intermaxx Y Linux 10M* Y Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1,2,4 Ameritech.net N -- - N Y N Y N 288 45m 0 1 4 3 1 2 4 2,3 ANET Y BSD 10M* Y Y Y Y N 288 10m 0 2 * 1 3 4 9 2,3 Aquila N -- - Y Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1,2,3 AT&T WorldNet N -- - Y Y N N N 288 ? 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1,2,3 Axon Data Systems N -- - Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1,2,3 BOSSNet N Linux 2M* Y Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1,2 Caliber Connections N -- 2M* N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1,2 CCM Y BSDI 10M N Y Y * N 288 10m+ 0 3 * 3 5 4 9 2 Celestial Haven Y Linux 10M N Y Y N N 288 1.5m+ 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1,3 Chicago InterFlash Y BSD 10M Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1,2 CIAC Internet N Linux - Y Y N N N 288 64k 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 CIN Y Linux 5M* Y Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 0 1 0 1 5 3 1,2 CNSNet N -- - Y Y N N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 Compla-Net N BSDI 5M* Y Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 CompuServe N -- - N Y N N N 288* - * * * * * * * Concentric Y Sun 5M* N Y N N N 288 ? 3 1 1 0 0 3 2 2 CyberConnect N -- 10M Y Y Y N N 288 256k 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1,2 Cyber Broadcasting N -- - N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1,2 DLS Y VMS 5M Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1,2,3 EarthLink N -- - Y Y Y N N 288 ? 0 2 2 0 1 1 2 Electro Link Net Y Linux 5M* Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1,2 EnterAct Y BSD 10M* Y Y Y Y N 288 10m 0 2 * * * 5 * 1,2,3 FCGnet N Linux 5M* Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 FlashNet N -- 1M* N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 1 1 1 0 0 3 1,2,3 Fox Valley Internet Y Linux 5M Y Y Y N N 288 384k 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1,2 Ganymede Y BSD 5M N Y Y N N 288 56k 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 GES (JvNC) Y Sun 5M Y N Y N N 144 2x1.5m 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Grapevine Systems Y Linux 10M* Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 Hamilton + Bond N -- - N Y N N N 288 1.5m 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1,2 I Connection Y BSDI 10M* Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 IDSI N BSDI 3M* Y Y Y Y N 288 ?k 0 1 * * 4 1 * 1,2,3 Illinois ICOM N BSDI 5M* N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1,2 Inforel Y BSDI 10M* Y Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 2 6 2 4 0 6 1,2 Inner Source N -- 5M* N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 INSNet Y Linux 10M* Y Y Y Y N 288 1.5m+ 0 1 5 5 1 1 7 1,2,3 IntelliSTAR N Sun 3M N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 InterAccess Y BSDI 10M Y Y Y Y N 288 13m* 0 2 6 3 2 4 9 1,2 InterGlobal Y BSDI 10M* Y Y Y Y Y 288 1.5m 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1,2 InterWeb Y BSDI 5M Y Y Y Y N 288 56k 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1,2,3 Internet 1st Y BSDI 5M Y Y Y N N 288 10m 0 3 9 4 4 3 9 2,4 Internet Chicago N NT - N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 2 2 0 0 0 3 Internet Illinois N -- - Y Y Y Y Y 288 2x1.5m 0 4 4 6 4 0 6 1,2,3 JORSM N Linux 5M* Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,2,3 Lakeland netDIRECT N -- - N Y Y N Y 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1,2,4 Loopback Systems Y BSD 10M* Y Y Y Y N 288 56k 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 MBSI internet Y Sun 5M* Y Y Y Y N 288 45m+ 0 5 * 2 * 1 6 1,2 McFalls and Company N -- 5M* Y Y Y Y N 288 128k 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 McHenryCom Y BSDI 10M Y Y Y Y N 288 45m+ 0 0 4 1 0 5 7 2 MCS Y BSD 10M* Y Y Y Y Y 288 2x45m+* 0 3 * * * 5 * 1,2,3,4 Megsinet N -- - N Y Y Y N 288 45m+ 0 5 * 2 * 1 6 1,2 Millennia Internet Y Linux * N Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2,3 Millennium Internet N -- * Y Y N N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1,2 Netcom Y Sun 5M Y Y Y N N 288 2x45m 0 0 2 1 1 2 2 2,4 NetNITCO Services N -- 2.5M N Y Y N N 288 3.0m * 0 0 0 0 0 0 NetSource Y SVR4 10M N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1,2 NETural Y BSD * N Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 1 5 2 3 0 4 1,2 NETWave Y Linux 5M Y Y Y N N 288 10m+ 0 2 8 2 0 0 6 1,3 NIIA Y BSDI 2.5M Y Y Y N N 288 2x1.5m 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,2 Orbitel N Linux 10M* Y Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1,2 Pinnacle N -- - N Y N N N 288 1.5m 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 Pla-Net Y Sun 5M* Y Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Primenet Y BSDI 5M* Y Y Y N N 288 45m* 0 3 7 2 3 0 6 1,3,4 PSI N -- - Y Y Y Y N 288 45m+ 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 PYROtechnics Y Linux * Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Reliable Internet N -- - Y Y Y N Y 288 1.5m 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Ripco Y SVR4 15M* Y Y Y Y Y 288 1.5m 0 1 2 2 2 1 3 2 SISNA Chicago N -- 5M N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 2 2 1 0 4 1,2 SkogNet Internet Y BSDI * N Y N N N 288 1.5m 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 SpideyWeb N -- 1M* N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1,2 StarNet N Sun 5M* N Y Y N N 288 45m+ 0 3 * 3 5 2 * 1,2,4 SUBA Y Sun 5M* Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1,2 Sun Valley Software Y Sun * N Y Y N Y 288 1.5m 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1,2,3 Super-Highway Y BSDI 10M* Y Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 1 2 0 0 2 1 1,2 synet Y IRIX 10M* Y Y Y N N 288 45m+ 0 1 1 1 0 0 2 1,2 Tech Interface -- - N Y Y * N 288 2x1.5m 0 1 8 3 3 * * 2 TensorNet Y Sun 5M* Y Y N N N 288 1.5m 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1,2,3 Tezcat Y Sun 20M* Y Y Y N Y 288 1.5m+ 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 the InfoRamp N -- - Y Y Y N N 288 1.5m 4 1 1 1 0 5 3 1,3,4 The Planet Group N Sun 20M N Y Y Y N - 2x1.5m 0 1 4 1 0 0 4 1 ThoughtPort N -- - N N Y Y N - 1.5m 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 ThruNet N IRIX 5M* N Y Y Y N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 TSR Communications N -- 2M* N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 UTI Systems Y Linux * Y Y Y N Y 288 1.5m 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 1 VisionI Systems N Linux 5M* Y Y N N N 288 1.5m 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1,2,3 WebSpun N -- - N Y Y Y N 288 45m+ 0 2 * 2 * 0 5 WorldWide Access Y BSDI 10M* Y Y Y Y N 288 100m+* 0 2 * 3 * 5 9 1,2,4 XNet Y Sun 10M* Y Y Y Y Y 288 45m+ 0 3 7 2 4 0 8 1,2,3 XSITE N Sun - N Y Y Y N 288 45m 0 1 9 3 4 4 9 1,3 Zap-Net N NT 5M* N Y Y N N 288 1.5m 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 Zoots Place N -- 4M* N Y N N N 288 56k 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2
All providers offer e-mail, usenet news, and web services. Sixteen other providers (SprintLink, ANS CO+RE, CICNet, MCI, NAP.NET, Net99, netILLINOIS, Wink Communications, IBM Global Network, Open Business Systems, DIGEX, Pilot_Network_Services and Ameritech) provide local dedicated service only.

Shell - does the provider offer shell (login) accounts on a UNIX or other type of machine connected to the internet. Y=yes, N=no
OS - if the provider offers shell accounts this column gives the type of operating system provided.
Quota - for shell accounts the disk space quota for the account. Additional space can usually be purchased separately, * indicates no hard limit.
Term - does the provider offer a terminal server access service. This gives access to a terminal server connected to the internet, the user needs to have an account on some other internet connected computer. This type of account is becoming less common, and is often not very cost effective compared to a shell account.
SLIP - Serial Line Internet Protocol - does the provider offer dialup SLIP access to the internet. SLIP (and PPP) access allows you to use graphical interfaces to network services from a PC, Mac or UNIX workstation.
PPP - Point to Point Protocol - does the provider offer PPP dialup access to the internet. PPP is newer than SLIP and is gaining popularity. Select SLIP or PPP based on whatever software is easier for you to use on your platform.
Ded. - does the provider offer dedicated line services. This can range from dedicated analog lines to T1 (1.544 Mbps) and beyond.
ISDN - does the provider offer ISDN dialup. Only providers that currently are providing this service are marked Y, some others have indicated they are willing to provide it if people are interested. Entries marked with * only provide dedicated or business ISDN access. ISDN supports raw data rates of 56 or 64 kbps (using 1 B channel) up to 128 kbps (using 2 B channels). ISDN phone service is available from both Ameritech and Centel. Configuring an ISDN phone line an associate equipment can be difficult. Single channel ISDN is expensive, but if you use two channels (one voice and one data) the price is close to that of two analog phone lines (though still higher). Ameritech residential rates for basic voice+data service range from $28.82/mo in the loop to $35.27/mo in the suburbs. Centel rates for voice+data are about $43/mo. NOTE: these rates may change and should be checked for your specific configuration. Installation charges can be expensive with ISDN, especially if you live far from the telco office. Ameritech and Centel ISDN per call charges are the same as normal phone rates for residential customers, except that ISDN lines cannot use the new Ameritech CALLPACK untimed phone plans. For more information Ameritech customers call 1-800-team-data, Centel customers call 847-768-6868 and ask for a Sales Exec.
Modem - Basic dialup modem rate in hundreds of bits per second. You can assume that higher speed modems will handle lower speeds in most cases. A * indicates that some areas are not served by the highest speed modems. If using SLIP or PPP a 28,800 bps v.34 modem is strongly recommended. Most newer modems are capable of 33,600 bps operation, and are available at prices starting under $100. Two new modem technologies from U.S. Robotics and Rockwell/Lucent promise 56 kbps speed on the link from the provider to the user. These two technologies are NOT compatible, and neither of them will probably be compatible with the eventual standard. Be sure to check with your service provider before buying one of these modems.
Backbone Rate - line speed of the providers connection to the internet. Connection speeds may be rounded off for space reasons. T1 is 1.544 Mbps (million bits per second) and is listed as 1.5m, T3 (or DS-3) is 44.736 Mbps and is listed as 45m. + indicates provider runs additional lower speed connections to Chicago for extra bandwidth and reliability. For example, 2x1.5m+ would indicate a site with 2 T1 network connections and one or more slower connections. Note that faster connections do not necessarily imply better access speeds for the user. Numerous other issues affect your performance, including: (1) the number of other customers, (2) the speed of the networks the provider connects with, (3) the connection type - LAN type connections (usually 10m Ethernet and 100m FDDI) can only transmit data in one direction at a time and may be shared with other upstream users, reducing the effective speed, (4) the internal traffic routing schemes used by providers with multiple links, (5) agreements with upstream providers to limit or cap bandwidth (the capacity of the link). A * indicates if the provider is connected to the Chicago NAP (Network Access Point) or MAE-Chicago. Providers with connections to the NAP will be able to provide high speed access to other providers connected at the NAP. The NAP is operated by Ameritech under contract from the NSF. MAE-Chicago is similar to the NAP (above) but is operated by MFS Datanet and is presently much smaller.
Dialups (219/312/630/708/773/815/847) - the number of dialup locations in each of the Chicagoland area codes (* indicates more than 9). This is important because your local phone rates will be lower if you are calling a provider that has a dialup access point near your home or business. A complete list of the phone numbers for each provider is given below. You can use that list and the ASCII map at the end of this document to locate a provider near you. If you already have access to the internet you can use my provider locator that will list all providers that are a local call for your phone number.
Comments - 1) Has a no busy signal policy or guarantee for dialups 2) Offers a discount for paying multiple months in advance 3) Free trial period 4) Clarinet wire services news available free with subscription

In addition to the providers listed above there are two other classes of providers that offer internet related services:

Online services (e.g. America Online, Delphi, CompuServe, Prodigy, ...)
Systems that offer news and e-mail only
Traditional online services are now converting themselves into internet service providers that offer additional content. CompuServe and America Online are leading the way towards better internet offerings. All the online services offer e-mail to/from the internet. At present America Online, Delphi, Prodigy and CompuServe also provide access to usenet news. Delphi offers a more traditional internet interface, allowing the use of most ASCII based internet services. America Online provides e-mail, news, gopher, wais, and a World Wide Web browser through their graphical user interface. CompuServe has added PPP internet access which allows their users to select the web browser of their choice. Prodigy has World Wide Web access for its users through their own web interface. Online services are a very expensive way of getting access to the internet because of their high hourly usage rates ($2.90/hr to $13/hr depending on the time of day, plus monthly fees) and slow speed (faster 28,800 bps modems are just starting to become available). However, this is starting to change as the online services start to compete with the local and national Internet Access providers. The online services have numerous dialup locations sprinkled throughout the Chicago metropolitan area (which means local phone charges are usually in the lowest rate band). Online services are becoming more attractive as they begin to offer more internet services, and they can be a low cost option for someone who doesn't plan to spend much time online. CompuServe leads the crowd by being the first to offer true PPP internet access at rates that are competitive for both low and high volume users. Prodigy and America Online are the runners-up with their web browser capabilities.
E-mail and news only providers offer what are probably the two most popular internet services. Technically these are not "internet services", as each service is available without an Internet (TCP/IP) connection. E-mail and news only providers can be much less expensive (see the RATES section) and are a reasonable option for someone who wants only those services. Many of the more advanced internet services can be accessed from these providers via a primitive e-mail interface. However, if you plan on using any of those services with any frequency you should really get an account with a true internet service provider (often called "live internet" in marketing blurbs). For more information on news+email only providers I recommend looking at the "Chicago email FAQ" posted periodically to chi.mail by Doug Blair.
Several internet providers located in other parts of the country are starting to offer local Chicago area access. These providers enable local Chicago area access by reselling other national dialup networks or by setting up their own local access points. Hourly network access charges are generally higher with these providers than those in the rest of this list. Many also require a long distance toll call for any type of inquiry. The following providers fall into this category: Concentric, CRL, and HoloNet. Another national provider, Thoughport has a local office in Chicago and sells services primarily to businesses. Several other providers are in the process of establishing nationwide access.
Another way to get temporary access to the internet that is starting to appear in the Chicago area are Internet Cafes. These are usually coffee shops that sell high end brew and have computers available for rental that are connected to the internet. Internet Cafes can be a good place for internet beginners to go to see what the internet is like.
Internet Phone Address -------- ----- ------- Interactive Bean 773-528-2881 1137 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL 60657 OnLine C@fe 773-929-2777 2507 North Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614 Timber Creek 630-268-0559 15 S. Park Ave, Lombard, IL Lake Online Studio 847-395-9115 391 Lake St., Antioch, IL 60002

DIALUPS
This section is a list of the dialup phone numbers for providers that offer dialup internet access. These numbers are provided so that you can minimize your local phone charges. You should calculate your telephone company charges when using any of these services - they will affect your cost.
Ameritech residential calls within 8 miles (central office to central office) are unmetered, and are significantly less expensive for businesses. Your local phone book should have information about which exchanges are local for you, and will have other rate information. Ameritech customers can call 800-244-4444 and ask for a "map and prefix list" to get information on rates to all exchanges. Ameritech has added a set of new calling plans that offer untimed calls regardless of distance. These plans apply to residential analog (plain old telephone service) service only. For example, the CALLPACK 100 bundles 100 untimed calls for a minimum usage charge of $10 per month. Calls over the initial 100 are billed untimed for $0.10 per call.
Centel (Sprint) residential calls to other Centel customers are unmetered and calls to Ameritech customers are unmetered when the distance between rate centers is less than 8 miles (a rate center is analogous to an Ameritech central office for the purpose of rate computation). Check your phone book to see which exchanges are local for you and for other rate info. If your Centel phone book is older than 1995 (rates changed October 3, 1994) or if you want more complete information, customers should call 847-768-6000 and ask for a Centel brochure.
Many providers offer dialup access through phone numbers supplied by MFS Telecom (e.g. 630-300) and TCG. Most providers with large numbers of dial-in locations are using one of these alternate phone services. You may get incorrect answers from Ameritech and Centel representatives about calling bands when dialing these numbers from your home or business. For the moment I suggest confirming the calling band for these numbers with the provider.
See the ASCII map at the end of the list for a rough idea of where the central offices are for the providers. The map can be used to help you quickly narrow your search to a few providers with locations near you. The map is currently out of date however, and will sonn be deleted.
For those with access to the web I strongly recommend using my provider location service that will list all the providers near you. You simply click on your area code and exchange to get a list of all the providers with access points near you. The provider locator should also handle MFS Telecom and TCG exchanges correctly. Cellular and pager phone exchanges are not listed.

Provider Speed Data Phone Numbers -------- ----- ------------------ ACCESS Chicago 28,800 708-873-0073 ACE Computers 28,800 847-253-9685 ISDN 847-243-1086 ACE Networks 28,800 312-842-3663, 773-488-8969 Aim High 28,800 312-328-0888, 630-495-5177, 630-510-7710, 630-627-0575, 847-490-8940 AIS 28,800 312-255-0001, 312-335-0794, 312-416-0935, 312-470-9300, 312-705-2901, 312-803-0534, 630-203-0533, 630-226-2360, 630-262-2470, 630-274-1201, 630-296-1201, 630-315-9300, 630-317-9300, 630-326-1201, 630-382-9300, 630-395-9300, 630-433-9300, 630-438-9300, 630-446-9300, 630-477-0533, 630-518-0011, 630-536-1301, 630-589-0533, 630-600-1201, 630-613-1201, 630-696-9300, 630-716-1301, 630-743-1201, 630-792-2020, 630-866-0008, 630-870-1201, 630-874-1501, 630-942-5090, 630-943-1201, 630-945-0002, 630-949-0008, 630-978-3260, 630-978-3260, 630-983-2800, 630-998-0011, 708-239-6500, 708-240-1201, 708-247-1201, 708-401-0533, 708-441-1201, 708-579-2540, 708-730-2350, 708-797-1201, 708-821-0008, 708-825-0008, 708-853-0008, 708-854-1201, 708-873-5860, 708-918-0012, 708-926-1201, 708-929-0533, 708-930-0514, 708-933-1201, 708-937-0008, 708-938-0008, 708-991-0008, 773-253-0008, 773-377-0008, 773-437-0008, 773-475-0008, 773-498-0008, 773-564-0008, 773-628-0008, 773-676-0008, 773-681-9300, 773-687-0008, 773-756-9300, 773-799-9300, 773-887-9300, 773-893-9300, 773-896-9300, 773-948-9300, 773-967-9300, 773-981-9300, 773-985-9300, 815-221-0008, 815-261-0011, 815-267-0008, 815-271-0007, 815-272-0011, 815-356-3180, 815-385-1116, 815-773-2430, 847-246-1201, 847-247-7260, 847-273-0533, 847-356-4090, 847-383-1198, 847-386-1198, 847-387-1201, 847-400-0682, 847-413-1111, 847-419-2480, 847-463-0533, 847-468-6020, 847-480-4470, 847-492-6658, 847-496-1201, 847-496-1201, 847-563-1198, 847-607-1201, 847-631-0533, 847-657-3280, 847-671-2030, 847-704-9501, 847-725-1349, 847-728-1198, 847-730-0008, 847-731-4030, 847-737-1201, 847-745-0533, 847-756-0011, 847-777-0533, 847-779-0408, 847-779-0408, 847-780-0008, 847-786-0008, 847-813-1201, 847-836-2500, 847-841-0012, 847-990-0011 ISDN 312-335-0794, 312-705-2901, 630-274-1201, 630-296-1201, 630-326-1201, 630-536-1301, 630-600-1201, 630-613-1201, 630-716-1301, 630-743-1201, 630-866-0008, 630-870-1201, 630-943-1201, 630-949-0008, 708-240-1201, 708-247-1201, 708-441-1201, 708-797-1201, 708-821-0008, 708-825-0008, 708-853-0008, 708-854-1201, 708-926-1201, 708-930-0514, 708-933-1201, 708-937-0008, 708-938-0008, 708-991-0008, 773-253-0008, 773-377-0008, 773-437-0008, 773-475-0008, 773-498-0008, 773-564-0008, 773-628-0008, 773-676-0008, 773-687-0008, 815-221-0008, 847-246-1201, 847-383-1198, 847-386-1198, 847-387-1201, 847-496-1201, 847-496-1201, 847-563-1198, 847-607-1201, 847-704-9501, 847-725-1349, 847-728-1198, 847-730-0008, 847-737-1201, 847-779-0408, 847-779-0408, 847-780-0008, 847-786-0008, 847-813-1201 Allied Access 28,800 815-941-xxxx Allways 28,800 312-294-0154, 630-539-0780, 630-971-9900, 708-448-2557, 847-509-1933, 847-797-5031 ISDN 312-294-0154, 630-539-0780, 630-971-9900, 708-448-2557, 847-509-1933, 847-797-5031 Alternet (UUnet) 28,800 312-984-xxxx, 312-986-2476, 630-241-5600, 630-505-xxxx, 773-509-xxxx, 773-873-xxxx, 847-228-xxxx, 847-480-3110 American Intermaxx 28,800 312-559-5690, 630-241-5430, 630-455-2120, 630-978-5290, 708-233-2560, 708-236-3270, 708-757-2490, 815-334-6050, 815-385-7386, 847-202-2365, 847-289-4050, 847-303-3001, 847-424-2410, 847-473-7440, 847-562-2360, 847-740-5090, 847-842-7990 Ameritech.net 28,800 312-551-xxxx, 630-262-xxxx, 630-307-xxxx, 630-510-xxxx, 630-794-xxxx, 708-239-xxxx, 708-283-xxxx, 708-583-xxxx, 773-884-xxxx, 815-363-xxxx, 815-836-xxxx, 847-326-xxxx, 847-473-xxxx, 847-733-xxxx, 847-842-xxxx ISDN 312-551-xxxx, 630-262-xxxx, 630-307-xxxx, 630-510-xxxx, 630-794-xxxx, 708-239-xxxx, 708-283-xxxx, 708-583-xxxx, 773-884-xxxx, 815-363-xxxx, 815-836-xxxx, 847-326-xxxx, 847-473-xxxx, 847-733-xxxx, 847-842-xxxx ANET 28,800 312-416-2638, 312-453-9603, 630-203-0501, 630-282-0501, 630-300-2638, 630-477-0501, 630-518-0018, 630-589-0501, 630-874-0501, 630-874-0899, 630-945-0020, 630-998-0017, 708-401-0502, 708-918-0019, 708-929-0501, 773-442-0501, 773-598-0501, 773-632-0501, 815-261-0016, 815-267-0017, 815-271-0018, 815-272-0017, 847-273-0501, 847-400-0601, 847-463-0511, 847-631-0604, 847-745-0501, 847-756-0016, 847-777-0501, 847-841-0018, 847-990-0016 ISDN 312-540-4901 Aquila 28,800 630-261-9306, 630-820-8440 ISDN 630-978-2222 AT&T WorldNet 28,800 312-441-xxxx, 815-966-xxxx Axon Data Systems 28,800 630-655-9399 BOSSNet 28,800 815-967-xxxx Caliber Connections 28,800 847-837-7800 CCM 28,800 312-416-0989, 312-453-9612, 312-803-9541, 630-203-0612, 630-282-0610, 630-300-0612, 630-477-0610, 630-518-0012, 630-589-0610, 630-654-8414, 630-874-0027, 630-945-0013, 630-998-0012, 708-401-0610, 708-918-0013, 708-929-0610, 773-442-0710, 773-584-0901, 773-598-0610, 773-632-0610, 773-685-2810, 815-261-0012, 815-267-0012, 815-271-0012, 815-272-0012, 847-273-0610, 847-400-0610, 847-463-0667, 847-631-0610, 847-745-0527, 847-756-0012, 847-777-0610, 847-841-0013, 847-990-0012 Celestial Haven 28,800 630-852-5838 Chicago InterFlash 28,800 773-784-4748 CIAC Internet 28,800 847-966-8166 CIN 28,800 630-629-1700, 773-622-4652, 815-477-1638, 815-568-6002, 815-622-0620, 815-933-7622, 815-943-8825, 847-310-1199, 847-427-1638, 847-949-8600 CNSNet 28,800 815-436-0583 Compla-Net 28,800 219-681-5155 Concentric 28,800 219-886-0213, 312-432-0802, 630-906-0367, 815-372-2540, 815-477-9952, 815-966-8959, 847-255-0770, 847-838-9346 CRL 28,800 312-663-5470 Cyber Broadcasting 28,800 815-467-2641 CyberConnect 28,800 773-622-7887 DLS 28,800 847-854-0081 EarthLink 28,800 312-984-xxxx, 312-986-xxxx, 630-241-xxxx, 630-505-xxxx, 773-509-xxxx, 847-228-xxxx, 847-480-xxxx Electro Link Net 28,800 630-365-0739 EnterAct 28,800 312-705-0096, 312-803-5187, 630-203-0304, 630-237-0096, 630-274-0012, 630-282-0504, 630-296-0096, 630-300-0504, 630-320-0012, 630-326-0096, 630-477-0504, 630-518-0400, 630-536-0012, 630-589-0504, 630-600-0012, 630-613-0012, 630-716-0096, 630-743-0017, 630-866-0012, 630-870-1205, 630-874-0404, 630-943-1207, 630-945-0400, 630-949-0096, 630-998-0400, 708-240-0012, 708-401-0404, 708-697-0012, 708-735-0096, 708-781-0012, 708-797-0012, 708-821-0012, 708-825-0012, 708-854-0012, 708-918-0400, 708-926-0012, 708-929-0504, 708-930-0096, 708-933-0096, 708-937-0012, 708-938-0012, 708-948-1102, 708-991-0012, 773-253-0012, 773-377-0012, 773-437-0012, 773-442-0001, 773-475-0096, 773-498-0012, 773-584-0555, 773-598-0001, 773-628-0012, 773-632-0018, 773-676-0012, 773-687-0096, 815-221-0096, 815-261-0400, 815-267-0400, 815-271-0010, 815-272-0400, 847-235-1204, 847-239-0012, 847-246-1204, 847-258-1054, 847-273-0504, 847-296-1202, 847-383-0096, 847-386-0012, 847-387-0096, 847-400-0504, 847-463-0504, 847-484-0012, 847-563-0096, 847-607-1204, 847-631-0504, 847-672-0096, 847-704-0012, 847-715-0096, 847-720-1204, 847-725-0012, 847-728-1194, 847-730-0012, 847-737-0096, 847-745-0504, 847-756-0400, 847-777-0504, 847-779-0530, 847-780-0012, 847-786-0012, 847-813-0096, 847-841-0400, 847-990-0400 ISDN 312-705-0096, 630-237-0096, 630-274-0012, 630-296-0096, 630-320-0012, 630-326-0096, 630-536-0012, 630-600-0012, 630-613-0012, 630-716-0096, 630-743-0017, 630-866-0012, 630-870-1205, 630-943-1207, 630-949-0096, 708-240-0012, 708-697-0012, 708-735-0096, 708-781-0012, 708-797-0012, 708-821-0012, 708-825-0012, 708-854-0012, 708-926-0012, 708-930-0096, 708-933-0096, 708-937-0012, 708-938-0012, 708-948-1102, 708-991-0012, 773-253-0012, 773-377-0012, 773-437-0012, 773-475-0096, 773-498-0012, 773-628-0012, 773-676-0012, 773-687-0096, 815-221-0096, 847-235-1204, 847-239-0012, 847-246-1204, 847-258-1054, 847-296-1202, 847-383-0096, 847-386-0012, 847-387-0096, 847-484-0012, 847-563-0096, 847-607-1204, 847-672-0096, 847-704-0012, 847-715-0096, 847-720-1204, 847-725-0012, 847-728-1194, 847-730-0012, 847-737-0096, 847-779-0530, 847-780-0012, 847-786-0012, 847-813-0096 FCGnet 28,800 630-663-9950, 815-842-3404 FlashNet 28,800 312-803-0925, 630-300-0529, 708-929-0521, 847-273-0530, 847-400-0636, 847-777-0538 Fox Valley Internet 28,800 847-742-4623 Ganymede 28,800 630-469-1474 GES (JvNC) 28,800 630-964-xxxx Grapevine Systems 28,800 312-226-1678 Hamilton + Bond 28,800 630-469-2857 HoloNet 28,800 219-884-4940, 312-201-0711, 630-261-0040, 630-801-9468, 773-693-4100, 815-226-9871, 815-939-0129 I Connection 28,800 847-662-0490 IDSI 28,800 312-705-2014, 630-274-1014, 630-296-1014, 630-326-1101, 630-536-1014, 630-600-1014, 630-613-1014, 630-716-2014, 630-743-1014, 630-866-1014, 630-870-1014, 630-943-1016, 630-949-2203, 708-240-1014, 708-441-1014, 708-781-1014, 708-797-1300, 708-821-1014, 708-926-1014, 708-930-1101, 708-933-1014, 708-937-2014, 708-948-1101, 708-991-1101, 773-437-1101, 773-564-3014, 773-628-1014, 773-687-5014, 815-221-1014, 847-239-1014, 847-246-1014, 847-258-1014, 847-383-1301, 847-386-1301, 847-387-1014, 847-484-1014, 847-496-1014, 847-563-1014, 847-607-1101, 847-672-2203, 847-720-1101, 847-730-1014, 847-737-1014, 847-749-1014, 847-779-3014, 847-813-1101 ISDN 312-705-2014, 630-274-1014, 630-296-1014, 630-326-1101, 630-536-1014, 630-600-1014, 630-613-1014, 630-716-2014, 630-743-1014, 630-866-1014, 630-870-1014, 630-943-1016, 630-949-2203, 708-240-1014, 708-441-1014, 708-781-1014, 708-797-1300, 708-821-1014, 708-926-1014, 708-930-1101, 708-933-1014, 708-937-2014, 708-948-1101, 708-991-1101, 773-437-1101, 773-564-3014, 773-628-1014, 773-687-5014, 815-221-1014, 847-239-1014, 847-246-1014, 847-258-1014, 847-383-1301, 847-386-1301, 847-387-1014, 847-484-1014, 847-496-1014, 847-563-1014, 847-607-1101, 847-672-2203, 847-720-1101, 847-730-1014, 847-737-1014, 847-749-1014, 847-779-3014, 847-813-1101 Illinois ICOM 28,800 815-334-9551 Inforel 28,800 312-453-7072, 312-803-0533, 630-203-0522, 630-282-0564, 630-300-0522, 630-477-0532, 630-589-0520, 630-874-0915, 708-401-0518, 708-929-0510, 773-442-0508, 773-584-0558, 773-598-0505, 773-632-0508, 847-273-0518, 847-400-0745, 847-463-0514, 847-631-0603, 847-745-0612, 847-777-0606 ISDN 312-397-0858 Inner Source 28,800 630-268-0592 INSNet 28,800 312-527-2330, 630-237-0505, 630-716-1230, 630-743-0205, 630-870-0022, 630-943-0508, 708-441-0022, 708-797-0022, 708-926-0022, 708-930-0508, 773-235-0022, 815-221-0051, 847-387-0505, 847-607-0505, 847-672-0524, 847-704-9074, 847-737-0505, 847-779-0450, 847-813-0515 ISDN 312-706-0524, 630-237-0524, 630-716-1231, 630-743-0206, 630-870-0021, 630-943-0507, 708-441-0021, 708-797-0021, 708-926-0021, 708-930-0507, 773-253-0021, 815-221-0052, 847-387-0524, 847-607-0524, 847-672-0505, 847-704-9075, 847-737-0524, 847-779-0524, 847-813-0524 IntelliSTAR 28,800 847-842-8808 InterAccess 28,800 312-705-6633, 312-913-0031, 630-203-0519, 630-260-8539, 630-262-2560, 630-378-3600, 630-589-0519, 630-978-5120, 708-229-3950, 708-532-9472, 708-730-5310, 773-279-2970, 773-632-0503, 815-224-6150, 815-356-2080, 815-729-8090, 815-936-6010, 847-367-9629, 847-487-3690, 847-498-3960, 847-671-0237, 847-715-3050, 847-731-5000, 847-836-2450, 847-885-3123, 847-973-3270 ISDN 312-849-0322, 630-260-0065, 708-429-0658, 847-480-9239, 847-882-0031 InterGlobal 28,800 312-630-0920, 708-532-4489, 847-298-1120 ISDN 312-630-xxxx, 708-532-xxxx, 847-298-xxxx Internet 1st 28,800 312-453-0632, 312-577-0515, 312-803-6920, 630-203-0975, 630-282-0604, 630-300-0596, 630-477-0685, 630-518-0026, 630-589-0576, 630-874-1505, 630-945-0028, 630-998-0025, 708-401-0576, 708-918-0030, 708-929-0597, 773-442-0728, 773-584-0914, 773-598-0598, 773-632-0637, 815-261-0018, 815-267-0024, 815-272-0025, 847-273-0578, 847-400-1567, 847-463-0597, 847-631-1633, 847-745-0571, 847-756-0026, 847-777-0597, 847-841-0025, 847-990-0025 Internet Chicago 28,800 312-251-0213, 312-755-1111, 630-352-2304, 630-980-9828, 847-290-6540, 847-367-8567, 847-806-3090 Internet Illinois 28,800 312-416-7601, 312-424-2430, 312-453-7098, 312-803-0759, 630-203-0529, 630-282-0572, 630-300-0527, 630-477-0591, 630-513-9728, 630-545-3541, 630-589-0523, 630-874-0917, 708-401-0504, 708-929-0516, 773-442-0531, 773-584-0559, 773-598-0508, 773-632-0528, 847-273-0519, 847-400-0598, 847-463-0522, 847-631-0608, 847-745-0523, 847-777-0514 ISDN 630-443-3263 InterWeb 28,800 847-740-9380 ISDN 847-546-xxxx JORSM 28,800 219-322-2182, 219-662-2836, 219-769-4110, 219-838-8147, 219-942-4880 Lakeland netDIRECT 28,800 847-223-8610 Loopback Systems 28,800 630-510-0173 McFalls and Company 28,800 630-655-1023 ISDN 630-655-xxxx McHenryCom 28,800 630-237-0015, 630-743-0019, 630-870-0015, 630-943-0015, 708-930-0015, 815-334-0573, 815-344-7813, 815-568-1674, 815-675-3308, 815-943-1072, 847-239-0015, 847-387-0015, 847-516-5040, 847-608-9780, 847-704-1215, 847-737-0015, 847-779-0015 ISDN 630-237-0015, 630-743-0019, 630-870-0015, 630-943-0015, 708-930-0015, 815-334-0573, 815-344-7813, 847-239-0015, 847-387-0015, 847-516-5040, 847-608-9780, 847-704-1215, 847-737-0015, 847-779-0015 MCS 28,800 312-705-5203, 312-706-2203, 312-803-3590, 630-203-0505, 630-237-2203, 630-262-0900, 630-274-2203, 630-282-0505, 630-296-2203, 630-300-0505, 630-326-2203, 630-477-0505, 630-518-0010, 630-536-2203, 630-589-0505, 630-600-2203, 630-613-2203, 630-716-8203, 630-743-2203, 630-866-2203, 630-870-2203, 630-874-0405, 630-943-2203, 630-945-0010, 630-949-3203, 630-998-0010, 708-240-2203, 708-385-0997, 708-401-0515, 708-441-2203, 708-735-2203, 708-797-2203, 708-821-2203, 708-825-2203, 708-853-2203, 708-854-2203, 708-918-0010, 708-926-2203, 708-929-0505, 708-930-2203, 708-933-2203, 708-937-2203, 708-938-2203, 708-991-2203, 773-253-2203, 773-377-2303, 773-437-2303, 773-442-2102, 773-475-2203, 773-498-2203, 773-564-3303, 773-598-2207, 773-628-2203, 773-632-2207, 773-676-2203, 773-687-4203, 815-221-2203, 815-261-0010, 815-267-0010, 815-271-0016, 815-272-0010, 847-246-2203, 847-258-2203, 847-273-0505, 847-383-2203, 847-386-2203, 847-387-2203, 847-400-0026, 847-400-0505, 847-463-0505, 847-484-2203, 847-496-2203, 847-521-2203, 847-563-2203, 847-607-2203, 847-631-0505, 847-672-3203, 847-704-7028, 847-720-2203, 847-728-2203, 847-730-2203, 847-737-2203, 847-745-0505, 847-756-0010, 847-777-0505, 847-779-4203, 847-780-2203, 847-786-2203, 847-813-2203, 847-841-0010, 847-990-0010 ISDN 312-705-6203, 312-706-3603, 630-237-1203, 630-274-1203, 630-296-1203, 630-326-1203, 630-536-3203, 630-600-1203, 630-613-3203, 630-716-3203, 630-743-1203, 630-866-1203, 630-870-1203, 630-943-1203, 630-949-1203, 708-240-1203, 708-441-1203, 708-735-1203, 708-797-1203, 708-821-1203, 708-825-1203, 708-853-1203, 708-854-1203, 708-926-1203, 708-930-1203, 708-933-1203, 708-937-3203, 708-938-1203, 708-991-1203, 773-253-1203, 773-377-1203, 773-437-1203, 773-475-1203, 773-498-1203, 773-564-3203, 773-628-1203, 773-676-1203, 773-687-5203, 815-221-1203, 847-246-1203, 847-258-1203, 847-383-1203, 847-386-1203, 847-387-1203, 847-484-1203, 847-496-1203, 847-521-3203, 847-563-1203, 847-607-1203, 847-672-1203, 847-715-1135, 847-730-1203, 847-737-1203, 847-779-5203, 847-780-1203, 847-786-1203, 847-813-1203 Megsinet 28,800 312-470-9700, 312-632-0601, 312-803-6687, 630-203-0369, 630-203-0369, 630-282-0508, 630-300-0069, 630-315-9700, 630-317-9700, 630-382-9700, 630-395-9700, 630-438-9700, 630-446-9700, 630-477-0601, 630-589-0508, 630-874-2074, 708-401-0501, 708-929-0071, 773-442-0601, 773-598-0601, 815-726-5957, 847-273-0069, 847-400-0069, 847-433-9700, 847-631-0502, 847-745-0011, 847-777-0502 ISDN 312-705-0511, 630-274-0001, 630-296-0511, 630-326-0511, 630-600-1511, 630-613-1196, 630-716-0511, 630-743-0002, 630-866-0511, 630-943-0511, 630-949-0001, 708-240-0511, 708-247-0096, 708-441-0001, 708-735-0001, 708-797-0001, 708-821-0001, 708-825-0096, 708-853-0096, 708-854-0001, 708-926-1196, 708-930-0511, 708-933-0001, 708-937-0001, 708-938-0001, 708-991-0001, 815-221-0001, 847-246-1196, 847-383-1196, 847-386-1196, 847-387-0511, 847-484-0001, 847-496-0511, 847-521-0511, 847-563-1196, 847-704-6511, 847-725-0511, 847-728-1196, 847-730-0001, 847-737-0511, 847-779-0411, 847-780-0001, 847-786-0001 Millennia Internet 28,800 312-341-0072 Millennium Internet 28,800 708-239-xxxx, 708-388-xxxx, 708-403-xxxx Netcom 28,800 630-889-0089, 630-892-9365, 708-396-0630, 773-380-0340, 815-394-2500, 815-741-7405, 847-623-2860, 847-776-0065 NetNITCO Services 28,800 219-696-xxxx, 219-738-xxxx, 219-938-xxxx, 219-988-xxxx NetSource 28,800 630-778-1327 NETural 28,800 312-803-0891, 630-203-0090, 630-282-0003, 630-300-0064, 630-477-0001, 630-874-0026, 708-401-0001, 708-929-0063, 773-442-2011, 773-598-2009, 773-632-2010, 847-273-0029, 847-400-0042, 847-631-0001, 847-777-0002 NETWave 28,800 312-255-0011, 312-453-9650, 630-203-0088, 630-282-0000, 630-300-0068, 630-477-0028, 630-585-0011, 630-589-0028, 630-759-0011, 630-874-0000, 708-401-0028, 708-929-0068, 847-273-0000, 847-400-0024, 847-463-0500, 847-631-0028, 847-745-0000, 847-777-0000 NIIA 28,800 219-663-xxxx, 219-681-xxxx Orbitel 28,800 708-873-7750 Pinnacle 28,800 630-932-xxxx Pla-Net 28,800 219-374-xxxx, 219-662-xxxx, 219-756-0651 Primenet 28,800 312-416-0906, 312-453-0000, 312-803-0426, 630-203-0506, 630-282-0506, 630-300-0506, 630-477-0506, 630-589-0506, 630-874-0106, 708-401-0006, 708-929-0506, 773-442-0506, 773-598-0506, 773-632-0506, 847-273-0506, 847-400-0506, 847-463-0506, 847-631-0506, 847-745-0506, 847-777-0506 PSI 28,800 312-565-0102 Reliable Internet 28,800 708-430-1081 Ripco 28,800 773-665-0065 ISDN 630-870-xxxx, 630-949-xxxx, 708-825-xxxx, 708-854-xxxx, 773-420-xxxx, 773-665-xxxx, 773-687-xxxx, 815-221-xxxx, 847-387-xxxx, 847-521-xxxx, 847-725-xxxx SISNA Chicago 28,800 630-585-xxxx, 630-663-xxxx, 708-425-xxxx, 708-891-xxxx, 773-539-xxxx, 847-244-xxxx, 847-265-xxxx, 847-517-xxxx, 847-714-xxxx SkogNet Internet 28,800 630-264-xxxx SpideyWeb 28,800 708-748-xxxx StarNet 28,800 312-416-1898, 312-526-1640, 312-705-0550, 630-203-0502, 630-237-0550, 630-282-0502, 630-300-0502, 630-420-2924, 630-477-0531, 630-589-0518, 630-716-0550, 630-874-0891, 630-932-4169, 630-943-0550, 708-401-0521, 708-929-0502, 708-930-0550, 773-395-1349, 773-442-0503, 773-584-0551, 773-598-0502, 773-632-0602, 815-334-1538, 815-455-6356, 847-202-4360, 847-273-0502, 847-382-0174, 847-387-0013, 847-400-0884, 847-463-0513, 847-496-0013, 847-577-3820, 847-607-0550, 847-631-0637, 847-724-4249, 847-730-0550, 847-737-0550, 847-777-0537, 847-779-0550, 847-781-9014, 847-949-5371 SUBA 28,800 773-929-0110 Sun Valley Software 28,800 630-983-xxxx, 708-599-xxxx, 847-537-xxxx Super-Highway 28,800 630-539-xxxx, 847-256-xxxx synet 28,800 312-648-0640, 630-434-4310, 708-730-9226, 847-301-1573, 847-364-0449 Tech Interface 28,800 312-704-xxxx, 630-241-xxxx, 630-264-xxxx, 630-307-xxxx, 630-357-xxxx, 630-365-xxxx, 630-552-xxxx, 630-574-xxxx, 630-654-xxxx, 708-349-xxxx, 708-453-xxxx, 708-957-xxxx, 773-327-xxxx, 773-685-xxxx, 773-768-xxxx, 815-334-xxxx, 815-344-xxxx, 815-356-xxxx, 815-426-xxxx, 815-433-xxxx, 815-458-xxxx, 815-472-xxxx, 815-568-xxxx, 815-584-xxxx, 815-622-xxxx, 815-741-xxxx, 815-886-xxxx, 815-932-xxxx, 815-943-xxxx, 847-251-xxxx, 847-291-xxxx, 847-304-xxxx, 847-342-xxxx, 847-362-xxxx, 847-541-xxxx, 847-599-xxxx, 847-683-xxxx, 847-699-xxxx, 847-741-xxxx, 847-746-xxxx, 847-838-xxxx TensorNet 28,800 630-325-1524 Tezcat 28,800 312-850-0112 ISDN 630-870-xxxx, 630-949-xxxx, 708-825-xxxx, 708-854-xxxx, 773-420-xxxx, 773-687-xxxx, 815-221-xxxx, 847-387-xxxx, 847-521-xxxx, 847-725-xxxx the InfoRamp 28,800 219-771-2888, 312-841-xxxx, 630-858-6083, 708-863-xxxx, 815-228-xxxx, 815-674-xxxx, 815-878-xxxx, 847-367-6683, 847-559-0017, 847-632-2112 The Planet Group ISDN 630-237-0011, 630-296-0011, 630-743-0111, 630-943-0011, 708-930-0011, 773-395-2047, 847-563-0011, 847-607-0011, 847-704-7021, 847-737-0011 ThoughtPort ISDN 773-604-7742, 847-303-6453 ThruNet 28,800 847-202-xxxx TSR Communications 28,800 219-641-7200, 219-937-1352, 219-947-5105 UTI Systems 28,800 815-223-0147, 815-434-9617, 815-467-1974, 815-741-1978, 815-795-5874, 815-942-4439 VisionI Systems 28,800 312-326-9269 WebSpun 28,800 312-470-9700, 312-632-0601, 312-803-6687, 630-203-0369, 630-203-0369, 630-282-0508, 630-300-0069, 630-315-9700, 630-317-9700, 630-382-9700, 630-395-9700, 630-438-9700, 630-446-9700, 630-477-0601, 630-589-0508, 630-874-2074, 708-401-0501, 708-929-0071, 773-442-0601, 773-598-0601, 815-726-5957, 847-273-0069, 847-400-0069, 847-433-9700, 847-631-0502, 847-745-0011, 847-777-0502 ISDN 312-705-0511, 630-274-0001, 630-296-0511, 630-326-0511, 630-600-1511, 630-613-1196, 630-716-0511, 630-743-0002, 630-866-0511, 630-943-0511, 630-949-0001, 708-240-0511, 708-247-0096, 708-441-0001, 708-735-0001, 708-797-0001, 708-821-0001, 708-825-0096, 708-853-0096, 708-854-0001, 708-926-1196, 708-930-0511, 708-933-0001, 708-937-0001, 708-938-0001, 708-991-0001, 815-221-0001, 847-246-1196, 847-383-1196, 847-386-1196, 847-387-0511, 847-484-0001, 847-496-0511, 847-521-0511, 847-563-1196, 847-704-6511, 847-725-0511, 847-728-1196, 847-730-0001, 847-737-0511, 847-779-0411, 847-780-0001, 847-786-0001 WorldWide Access 28,800 312-470-2000, 312-803-1670, 630-203-1553, 630-282-0992, 630-300-0000, 630-315-2000, 630-317-2000, 630-382-2000, 630-395-2000, 630-433-2000, 630-438-2000, 630-446-2000, 630-477-0010, 630-518-0300, 630-589-0010, 630-696-2000, 630-874-0030, 630-945-0300, 630-998-0300, 708-401-0010, 708-918-0300, 708-929-0070, 773-442-0010, 773-598-0010, 773-632-0000, 773-681-2000, 773-756-2000, 773-799-2000, 773-887-2000, 773-893-2000, 773-896-2000, 773-948-2000, 773-967-2000, 773-981-2000, 773-985-2000, 815-261-0300, 815-267-0300, 815-271-0300, 815-272-0300, 815-962-9761, 847-273-0004, 847-400-0000, 847-463-0510, 847-631-0010, 847-745-0010, 847-756-0300, 847-777-0010, 847-841-0300, 847-990-0300 ISDN 312-946-7550, 630-237-1124, 630-716-1247, 630-743-0207, 708-926-0010, 708-933-0010, 815-221-0010, 847-246-0010, 847-607-0525, 847-672-0010, 847-737-0525, 847-779-0406, 847-813-0525 XNet 28,800 312-416-9638, 312-453-9638, 312-803-9638, 630-203-9638, 630-203-9638, 630-282-9638, 630-300-9638, 630-477-9638, 630-589-9638, 630-874-9638, 708-401-9638, 708-929-9638, 773-442-9638, 773-584-9638, 773-598-9638, 773-632-9638, 847-273-9638, 847-400-9638, 847-463-9638, 847-631-9638, 847-745-9638, 847-777-9638, 847-882-1101, 847-882-1101 ISDN 630-237-0526, 630-274-0526, 630-600-0555, 630-613-0525, 630-716-0526, 630-743-0208, 630-943-0526, 708-930-0526, 847-607-0523, 847-704-7020, 847-715-0526, 847-725-0526, 847-737-0526, 847-779-0526, 847-813-0526 XSITE 28,800 312-803-5490, 630-203-0503, 630-282-0503, 630-300-0503, 630-477-0503, 630-518-0006, 630-589-0503, 630-874-0403, 630-945-0008, 630-998-0006, 708-401-0503, 708-918-0006, 708-929-0503, 773-442-0607, 773-584-0854, 773-598-0537, 773-632-0545, 815-261-0006, 815-267-0007, 815-271-0006, 815-272-0006, 847-273-0503, 847-400-0503, 847-463-0503, 847-631-0503, 847-745-0503, 847-756-0006, 847-777-0503, 847-841-0006, 847-990-0006 ISDN 312-706-0501, 630-237-0501, 630-274-0501, 630-600-0526, 630-613-0501, 630-716-1226, 630-743-0201, 847-521-0500, 847-607-0501, 847-737-0501, 847-779-0401, 847-813-0511 Zap-Net 28,800 708-442-9828 Zoots Place 28,800 630-834-8880

CONTACTS

Voice e-mail Provider Phone Number Auto Response Human Response -------- ------------ ------------- -------------- ACCESS Chicago 708-873-0957 info@accesschicago.net ACE Computers 847-253-9400 sales@acecomputers.com ACE Networks 312-635-2236 info@acen.net Aim High 630-510-7750 info@aimhi.com AIS 312-255-8500 info@ais.net Allied Access 800-463-8366 info@intrnet.net Allways 630-971-9866 jhsu@allways.net Alternet (UUnet) 800-4UUNET6 info@alter.net America Online 800-827-6364 info@aol.com postmaster@aol.com American Intermaxx 888-2BA-GEEK info@imaxx.net Ameritech 800-TEAM-DATA Ameritech.net 800-NET-8775 billing@ameritech.net ANET 630-260-1975 sales@anet-chi.com ANS CO+RE 800-456-8267 info@ans.net Aquila 630-820-0840 info@aquila.com AT&T WorldNet 800-WORLDNET worldnet@attmail.com Axon Data Systems 630-655-9399 info@axon.axnet.com BOSSNet 800-475-1872 info@bossnt.com Caliber Connections 847-837-SURF info@calcon.net CCM 630-495-3434 hostmaster@ccm.net Celestial Haven 630-852-9765 info@chaven.com sales@chaven.com Chicago InterFlash 312-810-8344 info@cflash.com sales@cflash.com CICNet 800-947-4754 info@cic.net CIN 847-310-1188 info@cin.net CIAC Internet 847-966-7434 info@ciac.com CNSNet 815-436-6352 info@cnsnet.com Compla-Net 219-795-1242 info@compla.net CompuServe 800-848-8199 Concentric 800-745-2747 cncsales@concentric.net CRL 415-837-5300 support@crl.com CyberConnect 773-622-5300 info@cyberconnect.com Cyber Broadcasting 815-467-2504 info@isp.cbcast.com Delphi 800-695-4005 askdelphi@delphi.com DIGEX 800-99DIGEX sales@digex.net DLS 847-854-4799 postmaster@dls.net EarthLink 800-395-8425 sales@earthlink.net Electro Link Net 630-365-0807 info@elnet.com accounts@elnet.com EnterAct 773-248-8511 info@enteract.com sales@enteract.com FCGnet 800-892-2853 frank@fcg.net FlashNet 800-FLASH20 sales@flash.net Fox Valley Internet 847-742-4623 sales@foxvalley.net Ganymede 312-553-9105 info@ganymede.net support@ganymede.net GES (JvNC) 800-35TIGER info@jvnc.net market@jvnc.net Grapevine Systems 312-226-1675 info@grapevine-sys.com Hamilton + Bond 630-469-0071 info@marketus.net HoloNet 510-704-0160 support@holonet.net I Connection 847-662-0877 info@iconnect.net support@iconnect.net IBM Global Network 800-775-5808 askibm@info.ibm.com IDSI 888-WWW-IDSI info@idsonline.com sales@idsonline.com Illinois ICOM 815-334-9544 info@il-icom.net Inforel 312-951-1888 info@inforel.com Inner Source 630-643-1635 info@innersource.com INSNet 847-266-5600 info@insnet.com IntelliSTAR 800-451-2979 info@intellistar.net InterAccess 312-496-4400 info@interaccess.com sales@interaccess.com InterGlobal 312-416-0017 info@igcom.net InterWeb 847-740-9370 info@iwc.net Internet 1st 800-875-3173 info@i1.net support@i1.net Internet Chicago 847-228-1717 webmaster@chicom.com Internet Illinois 630-208-8868 info@mwbbs.com JORSM 219-322-2180 info@jorsm.com Lakeland netDIRECT 847-223-8199 service@lnd.com Loopback Systems 630-510-1536 info@loopback.com MBSI internet 312-587-2300 inetsales@mbsi.net McFalls and Company 630-655-4225 sales@chgonet.com McHenryCom 800-454-9291 sales@mc.net MCI 708-947-2120 648-5560@mcimail.com MCS 312-803-MCS1 rate-request@mcs.com info@mcs.com Megsinet 312-245-9015 info@megsinet.net info@megsinet.net Millennia Internet 312-341-0192 bmcgowan@miint.net Millennium Internet 708-388-2040 sales@millnet.net NAP.NET 800-958-2945 sales@nap.net Netcom 800-501-8649 info@netcom.com support@netcom.com netILLINOIS 847-866-1844 info@illinois.net NetNITCO Services 800-NETNITCO info@netnitco.net NetSource 630-778-1212 webmaster@ntsource.com NETural 312-819-2231 info@netural.com NETWave 800-961-WAVE info@netwave.net NIIA 219-929-6442 info@niia.net Open Business Sys 630-916-7570 info@obs.net Orbitel 708-460-8686 info@orbitel.com Pilot 847-318-6617 psmith@pilot.net Pinnacle 630-932-8751 info@pincom.com Pla-Net 219-756-1675 info@pla-net.net Primenet 800-4NETFUN info@primenet.com Prodigy 800-776-3449 PSI 800-82PSI82 all-info@psi.com info@psi.com PYROtechnics 847-991-9345 info@pyrotechnics.com Reliable Internet 708-430-2600 info@reliable.net Ripco 773-477-6210 info@ripco.com sysop@ripco.com SISNA Chicago 630-663-4486 downers_grove@mw.sisna.com SkogNet Internet 708-641-8909 support@skognet.com SpideyWeb 708-748-5567 info@spideyweb.net SprintLink 800-817-7755 info@sprintlink.net StarNet 847-202-0099 info@starnetinc.com Sun Valley Software 630-983-0889 ken@svs.com SUBA 773-929-8008 info@suba.com Super-Highway 800-830-9445 webmaster@super-highway.net synet 630-271-1500 info@synet.net taz@synet.net Tech Interface 800-830-4880 info@techinter.com Tezcat 312-850-0181 info@tezcat.com sales@tezcat.com TensorNet 800-549-8552 info@tensornet.com the InfoRamp 708-222-6666 info@theramp.net The Planet Group 773-772-8333 info@www.pg.net ThoughtPort 800-973-2277 info@thoughtport.com human@thoughtport.com ThruNet 847-304-5544 info@thrunet.net TSR Communications 219-641-7216 info@tsrcom.com webmaster@tsrcom.com UTI Systems 815-941-4555 info@uti.com bwolf@uti.com VisionI Systems 312-326-9188 info@visioni.com WebSpun 847-328-2134 sales@webspun.com WorldWide Access 312-803-9921 info@wwa.com support@wwa.com Wink Communications 847-310-WINK sales@winkcomm.com XNet 630-983-6064 info@xnet.com admin@xnet.com XSITE 312-803-5500 sales@xsite.net Zap-Net 708-442-8042 Administrator@zap-net.com Zoots Place 630-834-4718 sysop@zoots.com
An e-mail message sent to the auto response address will automatically send back a reply with information about the services the provider offers (or instructions on how to obtain that information via e-mail).

LOCATIONS

Provider Address -------- ------- ACCESS Chicago P.O. Box 301, Palos Heights, IL 60462 ACE Computers 8 E. Camp McDonald Rd., Prospect Heights, IL 60070 ACE Networks 2944 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1R, Chicago, IL 60616 Aim High 2100 Manchester Rd. Bldg. A, Ste. 501, Wheaton, IL 60187 AIS 980 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 875, Chicago, IL 60611 Allied Access 1002 Walnut Street, Murphysboro, IL 62966 Allways 98 E. Naperville Rd., Suite #202, Westmont IL 60559 Alternet (UUnet) 3060 Williams Drive, 6th floor, Fairfax, VA 22031 America Online 8619 Westwood Center Dr., Vienna, VA 22182 American Intermaxx 3011 W. Route 120, McHenry, IL 60050 Ameritech 2000 W. Ameritech Center Dr., Hoffman Estates, IL 60196 Ameritech.net 300 S. Riverside, Chicago IL 60606 ANET 184 Shuman Blvd. Suite 200, Naperville, IL 60563 ANS CO+RE 100 Pheonix Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108-2202 Aquila 4430 E. New York St., Suite #201, Aurora, IL 60504 Axon Data Systems 900 Odgen Ave. #109, Downers Grove, IL 60515 BOSSNet 614 E. Grand Ave. Beloit, WI 53511 Caliber Connections 500 N. Lake Street, Suite 110, Mundelein, IL 60060 CCM 842 N. Ridge Ave., Lombard, IL 60148 Celestial Haven 1014 Belair Dr., Darien, IL 60561 Chicago InterFlash 943 Banbury Ct, Suite 199, Schaumburg, IL 60194 CIAC Internet P.O. Box 634, Morton Grove, IL 60053 CICNet 2901 Hubbard Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48105 CIN 721 W. Golf Rd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60194 CNSNet 2405 Essington Rd. #72, Joliet, IL 60435 Compla-Net 380 W. 80th Place, Merrillville, IN 46410 CompuServe 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd, PO Box 20212, Columbus OH 43220 Concentric 10590 N. Tantau Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014 CRL 1 Kearny St., San Francisco, CA 94108 CyberConnect 5445 W. Diversey, Chicago, IL 60639 Cyber Broadcasting P.O. Box 978, 408 Mondamin St., Suite 9A, Minooka, IL 60447 Delphi 1030 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138 DIGEX 6800 Virginia Manor Road, Beltsville, MD 20705 DLS P.O. Box 7426, Algonquin, IL 60102 EarthLink 3100 New York Drive, Pasadena, CA 91107 Electro Link Net P.O. Box 711, Elburn, IL 60119 EnterAct 3227 N. Sheffield Ave. #4R, Chicago IL 60657 FCGnet 1001 W. North St., Pontiac, IL 61764 FlashNet 1321 W. Forest Park Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76114 Fox Valley Internet 63 Douglas Ave., Suite 306, Elgin, IL 60120 Ganymede 175 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 612, Chicago, IL 60604 GES (JvNC) 3 Independence Way, Princeton, NJ 08540 Grapevine Systems 120 North Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607 Hamilton + Bond 800 Roosevelt Road, Suite C-100, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 HoloNet 2115 Milvia St. 4th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704 I Connection 2504 Washington St., Suite 201-6, Waukegan, IL 60085 IBM Global Network P.O. Box 30021, Tampa, FL 33630 IDSI 150 S. Wacker Dr. Suite 605, Chicago, IL 60606 Illinois ICOM 400 Russel Ct, Suite #2, Woodstock, IL 60098 Inforel 734 N. La Salle, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60610 Inner Source P.O. Box 1271, Lombard, IL 60148 INSNet 819 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035 IntelliSTAR 525 W. Old NW Hwy, Suite 203, Barrington, IL 60010 InterAccess 168 N. Clinton, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60661 InterGlobal 230 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 2107, Chicago, IL 60601 InterWeb P.O. Box 7565, Round Lake, IL 60073 Internet 1st 524 Gravois Rd., Fenton, MO 63026 Internet Chicago 1648 W. Algonquin Rd., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 Internet Illinois 11 N. First St., Geneva, IL 60134 JORSM P.O. Box 134, Dyer, IN 46311 Lakeland netDIRECT 30 South Whitney St., Grayslake, IL 60030 Loopback Systems 130 W. Liberty, Suite 206, Wheaton, IL 60187 MBSI internet 343 W. Erie, Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60610 McFalls and Company 10 S. 652 Hyacinth Drive, Suite 22G, Hinsdale, IL 60521 McHenryCom 382 Northwest Highway, Cary, IL 60013 MCI 1801 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20006 MCS 2 Prudential Plaza, 180 N Stetson, #2625, Chicago, IL 60601 Megsinet 225 W. Ohio Street, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60610 Millennia Internet 53 West Jackson, Suite 1057, Chicago, IL 60604 Millennium Internet P.O. Box 153, Palos Heights, IL 60463 NAP.NET 5007 S. Howell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207 Netcom 4000 Moorpark Ave, Suite 209, San Jose, CA 95117 netILLINOIS 1840 Oak Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 NetNITCO Services 205 N. Washington Street, Hebron, IN 46341 NetSource 124 S. Webster St., Suite 102, Naperville, IL 60540 NETural 205 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 4315, Chicago IL 60601 NETWave 450 Eisenhower Lane, Lombard, IL 60148 NIIA 700 South Columet Rd., Chesterton, IN 46304 Open Business Sys 2121 W. Army Trail Rd., Suite 106, Addison, IL 60101 Orbitel 1700 Ravinia Place, Orland Park, IL 60462 Pilot 9700 Higgins Road, Suite 100, Rosemont, IL 60018 Pinnacle 2121 W. Army Trail Rd., Suite 108, Addison, IL 60101 Pla-Net 8300 Broadway, Suite G2, Merrillville, IN 46410 Prodigy 445 Hamilton Ave, White Plains, NY 10601 Primenet 1224 East Washington, Pheonix, AZ 85034 PSI 125 South Wacker Drive, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60606 PYROtechnics 1566 Algonquin Rd., Suite 112, Hoffman Estates, IL 60195 Reliable Internet 8260 W. 95th St., Hickory Hills, IL 60457 Ripco 3163 North Clybourn, Chicago, IL 60618 SISNA Chicago 6900 Main Street, #157, Downers Grove, IL 60516 SkogNet Internet P.O. Box 4843, Aurora, IL 60507 SpideyWeb 28 Centre, Park Forest, IL 60466 SprintLink 13221 Woodland Park Dr., Herndon VA 22071 StarNet 473 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine, IL 60067 SUBA 2945 North Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 Sun Valley Software P.O. Box 3056, Lisle, IL 60532-8056 Super-Highway 25W217 Lake St., Roselle, IL 60172 synet 1401 W. Branding Ln. Suite 230, Downers Grove, IL 60515 Tech Interface 215 N. Arlington Heights, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Tezcat 1023 W. Jackson, Chicago , IL 60607 TensorNet P.O. Box 4364, Wheaton, IL 60189 the InfoRamp 6111 W. Cermak, Cicero, IL 60650 The Planet Group 1608 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60647 ThoughtPort 858 W. Armitage, Suite 311, Chicago, IL 60614 ThruNet P.O. Box 3194, Barrington, IL 60010 TSR Communications 810 169th Place, Hammond, IN 46324 UTI Systems 1802 N. Division St., Suite 112, Morris, IL 60450 VisionI Systems 2416 S. Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60616 WebSpun 1555 Sherman Ave., Suite 215, Evanston, IL 60201 WorldWide Access 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 766, Chicago, IL 60606 Wink Communications 2500 W. Higgins Rd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60195 XNet 3080 E. Ogden Ave. Suite 303, Lisle, IL 60532 XSITE 200 E. Randolph, Suite 7930, Chicago, IL 60202 Zap-Net 8550 W 43rd Street, Lyons, IL 60534 Zoots Place P.O. Box 6931, Villa Park, IL 60181

RATES
Rates for shell access (UNIX internet dialup) range from $11 to $25 per month flat rate (no hourly charges) and from $5 + $2.30/hr to $10 + $1/hr metered service (often some number of hours are included in the metered accounts, usually 15hrs).
Rates for SLIP/PPP dialup range from $10 to $250 per month flat rate and from $0 + $1.00/hr to $29 + $4.95/hr for metered service. Flat rates can be hard to compare for SLIP/PPP because some providers are offering full-time (dedicated) dialup, while others are assuming non-dedicated use. Dedicated use may provide static IP address assignment allowing you to offer your own outbound internet services.
Some providers charge setup fees for accounts (up to $150), others don't. Typical setup fees are $20 or less for personal dialup accounts.
Some providers charge for software (up to $100), some don't charge anything (and generally provide freeware), others don't provide software. Cost here depends on the software (freeware is cheaper, vaporware is cheapest). If you're interested in SLIP/PPP service you should check to see what software (and support) the providers offer because locating all the useful programs for your platform can be a time-consuming task.
Rates for dedicated services should be negotiated with the providers. At this level equipment may be purchased or leased. Rates and services vary widely.
The news+email only providers often offer one or both of these services free of charge. Generally, paying members (often referred to as "contributors") get better service as some combination of (1) access to both news+e-mail, (2) use of higher speed modems, (3) larger connect time allowance. Contributor status usually costs $20-$50 per year (most are in the $20's).
Rates are hard to compare between the different service providers because the rate structures are often different and the services themselves are slightly different. Some services are metered, some aren't, some have account setup fees, others don't. Finally, some providers have different rates for personal and business use - I've used the personal rates above.

OTHER ISSUES
Here are a few other things you might want to consider when selecting a provider:

The book "Connecting to the Internet" by Susan Estrada from O'Reilly & Associates contains lots of good information about connecting to the internet.
Insure that the provider you select is suited to deal with your needs and level of expertise (or inexpertise).
How available are support personnel? Do their hours fit your schedule? What kinds of problems will they help you with?
Consider the amount of downtime (scheduled and unscheduled) and whether that will affect you.
How often does the provider perform backups of data that is important to you? This includes any files stored on their computers - web pages, e-mail, shell account files, news, configuration files. Most users find e-mail to be much more important than news (and its easier to backup since it doesn't change as fast).
What happens if all your providers dialups are busy? Some will buy more modems and/or credit your account.
Beware of extra charges (for news, e-mail or web services). Make sure all the services you need to use are included in the quoted price.
TIA (The Internet Adapter) and SLiRP can be used to convert a shell account into a SLIP account (with some minor limitations). TIA works with the systems used by most (but not all) of the Chicago area shell account providers. More information on TIA is available by sending e-mail to tia-info@marketplace.com. SLiRP is a freeware package available on the net. If you are interested you should check with the provider to see if they allow or encourage the use of TIA or SLiRP.
Excalibur is a free Windows client that can connect to an Excalibur server. The client includes a winsock interpreter that allows the use of standard internet clients in addition to the Excalibur BBS functions.
This survey primarily covers internet connections for individuals. If you are interested in a dedicated connection there are numerous issues that you should be prepared to address. You need an expert to handle some of these issues, so if you don't have one on staff you should either hire one or get the assistance of a service provider who will help you with all aspects of your service (including security!).

MAP
The characters on the map below represent the approximate position of the telephone company central office(s) for each provider. This is important for figuring your telephone company charges when calling the provider (see DIALUPS section). Due to space constraints these positions may be off by a couple characters in any direction. To ascertain which providers might be in your local calling area check a box approximately 14 characters vertically by 22 characters horizontally centered at your location. Then check the data phone #'s of those providers (from the SERVICES list at the top of this file) with the phone company for a final determination.
Note: If you're viewing this on the web you should really use my provider locator instead of the map below. The locator is more current and can list all the providers that are an untimed call from your home or business phone.

A AIS m MCS x XNet a Alternet N Netcom y synet b InterGlobal n netILLINOIS 0 CNSNet C CIN P PYROtechnics 1 NIIA c Compla-Net p PSI 2 Internet Illinois E EnterAct R Reliable Internet 3 the InfoRamp e Electro Link Net r Ripco 4 SkogNet Internet G Ganymede S StarNet 5 ThruNet g Grapevine Systems s Sun Valley Software 6 INSNet I InterAccess T TensorNet 7 NETural i I Connection t Tezcat 8 IntelliSTAR J JORSM U SUBA 9 ANET j GES (JvNC) u UTI Systems % Pla-Net l Lakeland netDIRECT W NETWave & ACCESS Chicago M Millennia Internet w WorldWide Access @ McHenryCom d DLS Wisconsin | ----------------+-------------------------------+ McHENRY @ |LAKE A | C,@ | A | | / @,A | Waukegan| S,@ | l i,N | A,C,S | Liberty | Crystal | ville | @ Lake | A,I,w,S | d @ | A 8,S \ -------------+--+-------------------------------+ KANE A |COOK P,N,5 S E,A,m,W 3,I,a,m \ | Palatine E,A,w,W \_ A,@ +-+ C,x,I m,w,W,S,E \_ | Schaumburg W,C,y b A,S \_ Lake | E,m,A,W E,m Evanston\ Michigan +-----------------------+ N m,W,E A | |DUPAGE W,m,E| \ St. | E |A,I w,I \ Charles | m,W,A m| C U,m,r\ | Wheaton w,N,S W| Oak S 6| e A,m,2 | I G,A Oak |m,W,E Park 9,y,M,A,x\ | y Brook| CHICAGO p| | E,m,W,a,j W,w,7| LaGrange 3 t b,g,a,I\ | A,w,m,s,S,x,W E,m | A E,m,3 \ Aurora |W Naperville T,I | E,W,m | N,4 A,W | E | R 9 \ -----------+------------------+ / | KENDALL |WILL W,A | / w \ | Bolingbrook +--+ Oak 6 \ | | Lawn +--\ | +--------+ y,A,& A,m,N | ------- | | y,A |LAKE Gary | 0 | I,b |Indiana | +-------+ | | u,N,A | | Griffith | Joliet | | J 1,c | +--------------------+ % | | 1 u | | % Approximate scale (very rough, McHenry + Lake are compressed vertically): 1 character vertical = 2 miles 1 character horizontal = 1 mile
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 by Randy Smith. All Rights Reserved. This document may be redistributed freely provided it is not used in a for-profit medium without the authors permission.