Dial-Up Networking FAQ
How do I get broadband to my home?
That part is pretty simple. There is a very useful Web site that allows you to enter some basic information, i.e. your telephone number, and they will provide you with a list of broadband companies that can provide you with service. DSL Reports has been around for several years and, in addition to helping find a provider, they have reviews for providers by geographical location.
Who provides broadband service in the MRIS area?
Below are some of the providers in the MRIS area (this is not a complete list):
- Verizon - www.verizon.com - Verizon probably has the most exciting product around right now in their Fios offering. Not available in all areas yet but it is part of an initiative to bring fiber optics to the household. They offer blinding fast download speeds as well as other services.
- Comcast - www.comcast.net - The cable provider for a good portion of the area. They offer Internet, digital television and telephone service.
- Cox Cable - www.cox.com - Another local cable provider. Their speed boost system claims to boost download speeds. They also offer bundled services including TV and phone.
- DirecTV - www.directv.com - Satellite service provider. If you don't qualify for traditional DSL or fiber connection, check out Internet service via satellite. They also offer television service.
- Covad - www.covad.com - One of the older providers in the broadband business. Covad tends to offer services geared more toward small business but if you have a bustling home office, this may be a good choice.
- AT&T - www.consumer.att.com - AT&T is another long-time broadband provider that is worth investigating. They are also offering Voice Over IP telephone service.
- NetZero - www.netzero.com - Dial-up provider at a reasonable cost, if you just can't get broadband in any form. Be sure to check that they have a local number for you before you sign-up. They offer a complete security suite with their dial-up package.
Why is MRIS discontinuing dial-up service?
We are discontinuing dial-up service due to the business aspects of maintaining it. Maintaining the dial-up network has become more costly as the demand continues to drop. The expense of the MRIS dial-up network is multiplied by the fact that usage falls way below the minimum capacity - there just aren't many people using it. The other significant factors affecting our dial-up network:
- Our provider for a portion of the dial-up network is moving to a new technology by the end of 2007. We will incur considerable expense and possible down-time to accommodate their new technology.
- Maintenance and support consumes many man-hours per year.
- The equipment that provides the dial-up capability is past the end of its life. Service contracts are no longer available and we are relying on an inventory of spares to remediate failures. A complete hardware refresh would be required if we continue to offer dial-up.
- The dial-up network is grossly underutilized. Total usage is only 20% to 30% of capacity.
- New Web-based applications like Matrix® and KeystoneTM do not perform satisfactorily on dial-up.
Why didn't the "Click Here for Additional Information" link on the last Alert work?
There was an issue with the mris.com Web site that caused the link not to work. It has since been corrected and you can access additional information at the Coming Soon homepage.
When you refer to Dial-Up Networking, what exactly do you mean?
Dial-Up Networking is accessing a computer network using your telephone line. At one time you had to dial into an MRIS telephone number to use MRIS but that is no longer the case. All MRIS applications and services are available over any Internet connection. If you connect to the Internet and hear the screeching and buzzing from your computer as it connects, that's dial-up. If the phone number you dial to connect to the Internet is one provided to you by MRIS, then you are using MRIS for your Internet access.
Will the Dial-Up Network Sunset affect any other MRIS access (like a Sprint or Verizon wireless card)?
As long as your wireless card allows you to access the Internet via your provider, you can access all of the MRIS services.
Does the Dial-Up Network Sunset mean dial-up access isn't an option anymore?
NO - the only dial-up service affected is via the MRIS network. If you access the Internet via your own dial-up provider, e.g. NetZero, you can continue to use your own provider.
What if broadband or DSL isn't available in my area?
Check the dial-up providers on the DialupInternet.us Web site to find a dial-up provider to replace the MRIS dial-up.
If I use my cable company for Internet access, do I have to use their phone system as well?
Absolutely not.
With the shutdown of dial-up networking, it would seem that MRIS is removing a service for which I pay. Will there be a reduction in my fee when dial-up networking is no longer available?
Dial-up access to MRIS was provided at no additional charge to subscribers when Realtor Workstation and Data Input were the applications used to access MRIS data. Now that Matrix, Keystone and all of the other MRIS applications are Web-based and accessible from any Internet connection, direct dial-up access is no longer a necessity. (Note that we are referring to direct dial-up or dialing directly into MRIS.) The MRIS applications will still be available via any third party Internet provider whether broadband, cable, satellite or dial-up.
The cost in recurring fees and resources to maintain dial-up is disproportionately high compared to the number of people still using it. Due to the widespread accessibility of high-speed Internet options, their reasonable rates and lightning fast processing speed, 95% of MRIS subscribers have migrated away from dial-up.
If MRIS continues to provide direct dial-up access, a significant upgrade would be required in order to keep pace with changes in technology by our data communications providers. Coupled with the resources required to implement the upgrade, we could not continue to offer the service without an additional charge. It would be unfair to have all subscribers absorb the cost of upgrading a service used by so few.
The majority of MRIS subscribers have found high-speed Internet access to be a good long-term business investment. We are sympathetic to the needs of subscribers in areas in which high-speed access is not available and suggest that you visit DialupInternet.us for dial-up providers serving those areas. Today's third party dial-up providers offer rates at a fraction of what they were in the days of Realtor Workstation. Service packages start as low as $4.95 per month, so that users can tailor their business investment as required.
Dial-up access is not going away, only the toll-free direct MRIS numbers are being discontinued. Whether on vacation, in or out of the office or just between appointments, MRIS is available anywhere you have an Internet connection.
What if my broadband provider has an outage? Can I still dial-in?
While you will not be able to dial into MRIS directly, any dial-up connection to the Internet will allow you to access the MRIS products. Some broadband providers have a dial-up system as a backup in case they have an outage. Broadband users should check with their provider to see what access capabilities they have in case of an outage.
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