Network Provider Options

This page contains information about high-speed ISP options available in the Champaign-Urbana area.

Note that the links to the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) listed below are not an endorsement of the mentioned products and services. They are provided simply as a sampling of the options that are available to users.

If you are an ISP manager and would like for your ISP to be included on this list, contact cites-webmaster@uiuc.edu with the details of your service's price structure and area of availability.

Budget-based options:

Network connection types:

Note: This page is intended to provide assistance in choosing a particular service and provider, assuming that you already know the differences between dialup, ISDN, wireless, etc. For a side-by-side comparison of the different technologies' speeds and requirements, see Network connection options.

Free, local high speed ISPs
Advantages
Disadvantages
  • Free.
  • Local support provided.
  • Limited areas of availability (UIUCnet high-speed access is restricted to campus; CUWireless does not yet cover the entire Champaign-Urbana area.)

Some free ISPs
Campus affiliates only
All area residents
UIUCnet options
Advantages
Disadvantages
  • One of the least expensive ad-free options available to UIUC affiliates:
    Ethernet, UIUCnet Walkup, and UIUCnet Wireless access are free on campus.
  • Local technical support providers offer free walk-in assistance at the Help Desk.
  • Must maintain University affiliation to be eligible (students lose eligibility after graduation).
  • Direct connections only available on campus; must use VPN access over another service provider's network connection to connect from elsewhere.
More information about ways to connect to UIUCnet
Local high-speed ISPs
Advantages
Disadvantages
  • Local technical support providers.
  • If you're using a non-dialup network, you may not be able to connect to your high-speed service provider from another location.

Some local ISPs
Under $20/month
Over $20/month
Nationwide ISPs
Advantages
Disadvantages
  • Local dialup numbers in a wide range of area codes (calling a number in a local area code means no long-distance charges).
  • Many nationwide dialup providers have expanded into higher-speed networking as well. Therefore, you can use high-speed networking from your usual location and switch to dialup from the same provider when traveling.
  • Some nationwide ISPs charge for technical support or don't provide telephone-based technical support.
  • Some for-fee nationwide ISPs will force banner ads even though they also charge for the service.
  • Nationwide ISPs are often more expensive than local ones.

Some nationwide ISPs
Under $20/month
Over $20/month
  • CITES is not aware of any nationwide high-speed ISPs with fees under $20 a month.
Phone line networking (dialup, ISDN, DSL/ADSL)
Advantages
Disadvantages
  • Almost any building has 56K-capable standard telephone lines.
  • Many buildings can also perform higher-speed ISDN or DSL connections over existing telephone cable.
  • While ISDN and DSL/ADSL are much faster than regular dialup, they can be slower than cable modems.
  • The telephone wiring in your house and your neighborhood affects your ISDN or DSL network speed. If you have an older house or neighborhood, the likely line problems will slow your network access down.

Some phone line networking options
Dialup (56K maximum speed)
ISDN (128K max), DSL/ADSL (6M max)
Ethernet or cable modem networking
Advantages
Disadvantages
  • Ethernet networking is the fastest network type available, and most computers have an Ethernet port built in.
  • Cable modems use the same cabling as your television, so there are no extra wiring issues to consider. An external cable modem can connect to your computer through USB, Ethernet, or wireless methods.
  • Ethernet is not distributed on the same cable type as any public utilities such as telephone lines or television cables; therefore, its area of availability is more limited.
  • For cable modem users, the actual speed you experience depends on network use in your area - the more people in your neighborhood who use the same network, the slower each person's traffic goes.

Some wired networking options
Ethernet
Cable modem
  • UIUCnet (in campus buildings)
  • Some local apartments provide Ethernet network access as part of the rental agreement. Check with your landlord.
Wireless networking (wi-fi, cellular, or satellite)
Advantages
Disadvantages
  • Can be among the fastest network types available. (Speed depends on wireless connection type and the number of simultaneous users in your area.)
  • Can be accessible from more areas than wired networking types. (Satellite wireless connects directly to your home; wi-fi and cellular are available in broader areas.)
  • Security: Wireless signals can be detected by anyone else in the area with a wireless network card. Other wireless computer users will be able to read any unencrypted network traffic you send or receive. See wireless security concerns.

Some wireless networking options

Wi-Fi (802.11)

Cellular / 3G Broadband

Wireless Broadband and Satellite
  • UIUCnet Wireless
    (on campus)
  • CUWireless.net (limited area)
  • Many local coffee shops, bookstores, hotels, and other businesses provide wireless networking for their customers. Look for signs and ask at the customer desks.