ISP Review: Netscape with Web Accelerator

Netscape knows that dialup Internet access might be significantly cheaper than broadband access, but that it can't compete on speed. Or can it? Netscape ISP recently added high-speed, accelerated dialup Internet service to its offerings, using special technology to compress Web page data as it's being sent to your modem.

The end result? With Netscape Internet Service with Web Accelerator, you get speeds up to five times that of normal dialup Internet service when you're browsing the Web -- about as good as basic DSL service! And you can't beat the cost, either -- only a tad more expensive than Netscape's regular Internet access service.

Netscape with Web Accelerator ISP service doesn't require you to purchase any new hardware or change the way you browse, which is a serious plus for folks who are staying away from a broadband ISP because of the costs.

Making the deal even sweeter is that Netscape Internet Service with Web Accelerator also gives you a free pop-up blocker -- which can improve Web surfing speeds even more.

At the same time, Netscape still gives you its "no-frills" dialup ISP service, which is a cheaper dialup ISP than several other Internet service providers. Netscape's ISP doesn't give you things like access to exclusive online content or tons of email addresses -- which allows the Internet Service Provider to offer access on the cheap.

You can, however, pay for more advanced add-ons from Netscape's dialup service -- a spam blocker and an e-mail virus scan, for example.

Netscape with Web Accelerator makes my Internet experience pretty nearly indistinguishable from lower-end Digital Subscriber Line access -- but it's through dialup, so I can get fast Web speeds at a fraction of the cost and using my current modem.

Now, Netscape with Web Accelerator isn't intended for people who are willing to pay more to get tons of "free" add-ons from their Internet Service provider. Still, I love that an ISP like Netscape allows you to buy services "a la carte" -- so it gives you the option of getting only the add-ons that you want (like faster Web browsing, spam blocking, or virus scanning.)

And for people who don't want all those extra features that can hike up the cost, a cheap ISP like Netscape with Web Accelerator can fit the bill without breaking the bank.

Great-ISP-Deals.com gives Netscape with Web Accelerator... four stars! A great ISP value!