Developed By by

What you need to know about connecting to the Internet

What is an ISP?Different internet contracts Hidden costsWhat you can do so you do not get high bills

or bills you do not understand.

What you need to know and understand before getting your internet connected

Companies are often called Internet Service Providers (ISP)

There are many different companies you can pay to access the internet, for example:• Optus• Telstra Bigpond• Dodo• iinet• iPrimus

What is an ISP?

On the telephone or mobile phone

Or

By signing a written contract in a store or at the door

Or

Contracts on the internet

Internet Contracts can be made

Internet Contracts

Often when you buy a new computer you get an internet service connected as part of the sale. The salesperson will get you to sign a contract to get you connected to the internet.

Hidden Costs

Internet contracts can include a lot of fine print about when and how much you can use the internet.

Ask someone to help you understand before you sign a contract.

• Videos on Youtube• using Facebook• Downloading songs or listening to music

These things use a lot of data.

Data Downloads

‘Data’ is a way of measuring how much you use the internet. When you read or look at things online, or if you download them to your computer, you use ‘data’.

For example:

Data Allowance

You agree with the company how much data you can use each month. This is called “data allowance” or “data usage”.

If you use more data than you have agreed to, you will have to pay extra.

“Overage charges” can be expensive.

Find out how to check your ‘data usage’ online.

You will need a username and password to do this. Call your ISP to find out how.

Ask someone to help you if you have trouble.

What you can do so this does not happen.

Do not be afraid to ask questions about how the internet works, what it costs and what words mean

If you want to have the internet at home, there are many different choices. Ask questions, and get help to choose a plan that is good for you.