>ISP's don't grow on trees, at least outside of U.S. metropolitan
>areas.
>
>It's easy for you to say "use a different ISP", but not so easy for
>some of us to take that advice. Care to cover my long distance charges
>so I can switch?
Given that I don't know exactly where you live, I can't really argue that
there is an ISP in your local calling area, so I'll assume that you've
done your homework and there really isn't one.
With that in mind, you have the following options:
1) Call your telco and ask them if they have any calling plans available
that will make some other ISP a flat-rate call. In some places this is
called a "Metro" calling plan or something along those lines. I know
that NYNEX/Bell Atlantic used to offer a plan in Massachusetts that made
the whole state a local call for around $55/month. Obviously other
states will be different. I'm pointing out this option because a lot of
people - a LOT of people - haven't even bothered to call their telco and
ask about such a plan.
2) Move to an area where you have cheaper access.
3) Get access through your employer or have them subsidize it for you.
4) Start your own ISP.
Again, I really can't sympathize. If there is only one ISP in your area
then there's simply no demand for network access in that area. No one
forced you to live where you live. If you think there is additional
demand that's not being fulfilled, start your own ISP and run it however
you like.
shag
