ISP Resellers

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Posted by Benjamin, 07-18-2002, 04:56 PM
Can anyone give me recommendations for good ISP resellers? I know I am posting on a web hosting forum, although I have found absolutely no forums available on any sites that help out on ISP reselling. So, I guess you could say you guys are the bes next thing. ;o) So, if anyone has heard of any ISP resellers on the 'net, simply reply with what you've heard. Or if you have actually used any ISPs that give out reseller accounts, please let me know. Thank you. Benjamin Winn Last edited by Chicken; 07-19-2002 at 01:03 AM.
Posted by Aussie Bob, 07-18-2002, 10:13 PM
As always Google is your friend.
Posted by ckpeter, 07-18-2002, 10:39 PM
Also search in the forum archive. I remember reading such thread just today (although the thread itself could be very old). Search for keyword: dialup, ISP, resell Peter
Posted by Benjamin, 07-18-2002, 11:26 PM
Thanks Aussie Bob. I've been searching through google lately. I'll be sure to search through the forum archive, ckpeter. I tried searching earlier today, with no success, although I'll continue to use various keywords ... along with the ones you suggested. Benjamin
Posted by apollo, 07-19-2002, 12:35 PM
what ISP services you want to resell...? Apollo
Posted by Andyc, 07-19-2002, 12:55 PM
You could always checkout DialupUSA.net
Posted by Incognito, 07-19-2002, 01:36 PM
7 or $9 depending on where ($5 in CA). $50 monthly fee.
Posted by apollo, 07-19-2002, 03:58 PM
isppath.com if you look forward for dial-up reselling
Posted by Alareach, 07-20-2002, 02:25 AM
http://www.burst.net/resell/access.shtml
Posted by David@Digisurge, 07-20-2002, 02:44 AM
Looks like DialupUSA.net and Burst are using the same network/numbers. DialupUSA is a dollar or so cheaper.
Posted by WeedBiz, 07-20-2002, 01:27 PM
Give Lanset a call. They don't have the monthly minimum that most VISP companies do. And they're tied in with MegaPop for nation-wide coverage.
Posted by Benjamin, 07-20-2002, 03:18 PM
cari.net does not have a monthly minimum, although they require $50 each month ... not sure if that is better or worse.
Posted by WeedBiz, 07-20-2002, 04:01 PM
Also, if you're seriously thinking about this, consider the support that it takes to keep ISP customers. You would HAVE to maintain a support department with a telephone.
Posted by Benjamin, 07-20-2002, 04:28 PM
Yeah, I have been figuring in the support. I have thought about the support, dial-up, web hosting, pop3 email accounts, billing structure, credit card processing via the phone, etc. All of those things I would need to find solutions for. Also, I would likely need a 1-800 phone number, add a business line where I am, voice message capability, a web site, and probably some other stuff I'm not currently thinking about. All the above things definitely add up to the cost of providing internet access, so hopefully I will be able to figure out a way to make the budget be balanced. I would also need to register my business name with the state... and probably hire a CPA (accountant) to take care of some of the work I would be unable to do (although, I may be able to handle it, not sure until the business actually starts rolling). Lots of things to think about. Benjamin
Posted by kcdworks, 07-20-2002, 04:29 PM
You don't HAVE to ... but I'd recommend it just the same. Access4Less.net resells for a large company (can't remember who, but you can always do a reverse lookup on IPs) and only charges their customers 5.95 a month, and offers only email support, as far as I can remember. They are one of the most successful "small" ISPs that I have seen.
Posted by Benjamin, 07-20-2002, 04:34 PM
I looked up the IP address of one of the local ISPs in my area, since they provide state-wide access to lots of phone numbers, so I thought perhaps they were actually using a reseller account. Turns out they were using inreach: http://resellers.inreach.com/ I called inreach on Friday to ask the cost of a resellers account, but the person who was to talk to me was away from her desk. I told them I would call back some other time.
Posted by ATST, 07-20-2002, 05:03 PM
A friend of mine resold ISP services for a couple of years. The problem was, the access numbers were leased by a not-so-famous phone company, who, by the very nature of it, was a competitor of the local famous phone Co. So when the going got tough, guess whos calls went through, and whos didn't? He got tired of fighting with the phone company. He also grew tired of the support he had to provide for the aprox $4 a month profit per customer, which typically (not all) are new to the internet. Many didn't know not to give out their ISP email addy, and got so much spam, he had to change their account name just to clear out the 20 MB of space the spam was taking. Many others would call to ask how to set up their email clients ect. He finally quit the dial up ISP biz. Seeing as how I know him personally, and what he went through, I will tell you to think long and hard about this. Also consider that dial up ISP's are on the way out. Most people, even newbies want cable access nowadays.
Posted by Benjamin, 07-20-2002, 05:35 PM
So, the profit your friend was making vs. the constant hastle of users calling him all the time ... the ISP service turned out to be worthless? One ISP listed in this forum topic that I visited actually charges $5 per phone call. I wonder if that would work. I doubt customers would really enjoy paying $5 per call. I think that is so it encourages those who do not want to pay $5 per call to just email support. Also noticed at their web site they offered the downloadable dialer and other software needed to start getting on the internet ... although I believe the people who would need that software, would most likely NOT be connected to the internet, so they can actually download the software to install on their computers. ISPs have to give out CDs, which the ISP has to pay for. Maybe if I were to start an ISP strictly via the Internet? I could provide phone support, but it would be catering to those who already are on the Internet. Benjamin
Posted by ATST, 07-20-2002, 08:41 PM
Anyone who wants dial up ISP software is probably new and AOHell already owns their computer by now. Good luck trying to get any other ISP to work once that crap is on there. Personally, I do use a dial up and found the number of dial up ISPs without spywa . . I mean software to be very small. All I wanna know is which IP numbers, to fill in and whats the phone number. (but I am rare ) Reselling anything is a "Value Added" service where the value is your support added by you. I doubt you will get anyone to pay you $5 per phone call. The guy I know made decent money after he got a particular amount of customers and before cable starting getting popular. He also owns his own server and does webhosting, as well as web programming. Between the phone line problem, the customer support becomming tedious, dial up becomming less popular, and his programming skills being more in demand, he dumped the dial up biz. I really think dial up is on the way out. Now if you offer it in addition to some other services as he did, you will eventually find one of the services being used more than others, and may come to the same conclusion. Pick something you can fully support, (remember the value is added by you) and go for the long run.