Where to Get Free Internet Access

Free Internet service providers are making inroads into the Internet access market, often as second-tier or backup access for Web users. To get the free service, users often have to provide information for data collection, give up some services or have advertisements continuously displayed on-screen while connected. Here is a sampling of free providers:

Address.com

* https://www.address.com

Available nationwide. Works on Windows operating systems. Free Web-based e-mail; no toll-free technical phone support. Users fill out questionnaire; company tracks demographic, not personal, information. Cycling ad banner continuously displayed on user’s screen while logged on.

AltaVista

* https://www.altavista.com

Available nationwide and in Canada. Runs on Windows operating systems. Free Web-based e-mail, access to AltaVista discussion groups and instant messaging; tech assistance available via e-mail and toll-free number. Users fill out questionnaire giving basic information, can also complete “opt-in” section asking for more detailed preferences. Aggregate information collected, no personal information revealed. A “Microportal” window continuously displayed on user’s screen has cycling ad banner and personalized section that can display news, weather, other information.

BlueLight.com

* https://www.bluelight.com

Service is 60% owned by Kmart in partnership with Yahoo and others. Available nationwide. Operates on Windows operating systems. Free Web-based e-mail, access to Yahoo message areas and instant messaging; tech help through e-mail and toll-free number. Users fill out questionnaire providing demographic information such as household size, income category, education. Cycling ad banner displays on-screen while connected; video ad plays during sign-on process.

Juno

* https://www.juno.com/index.html

The granddaddy of free e-mail services, Juno joined the free Internet access fray in December. Free Internet access service has limited number of post office protocol servers available. A premium paid service has additional access numbers. Runs on Windows operating systems. Free e-mail; phone tech support is available for a fee. Cycling ad banner continuously displayed on user’s computer while connected.

NetZero

* https://www.netzero.net

NetZero’s eye-catching “Defenders of the Free World” ad campaign has helped it garner a top spot among Internet service providers. Available in 48 states. Runs on Windows operating systems. Free POP3-based e-mail, auto-configured to user’s e-mail system; personalized Web page; tech support available via e-mail, toll-free fax-back service and a premium service for a fee. Users fill out a questionnaire providing name, gender, address, as well as preferences to create a user profile. Continuously displayed “Zeroport” window includes banners for targeted ads, as well as links to e-mail, navigational tools, personalized news and stock ticker. User’s Web usage is tracked, but personal information is not released.100%

Reviews

Several Web sites, often compiled by individuals, provide comparisons and user reviews of Internet service providers, both free and fee-based:

Free USA ISPs

* https://www.nzlist.org/user/freeisp

Dawn McGatney’s ISP Reviews and Ratings

* https://dogwolf.seagull.net/isprate.html

100% Free ISPs in USA

* https://freeisps.solobox.com

Epinions.com

* https://www.epinions.com/cmsw-ISP

Sources: Times research, company interviews

Researched by NONA YATES / Los Angeles Times