Vermont Internet service providers, or ISPs, provide customers access to the Internet for a fee. National ISPs can reach subscribers in much of the nation while local ISPs serve customers in a specific geographic region.

A small business will generally use a separate web hosting company to maintain its website instead of using the web space from the company that provides Internet access. Vermont businesses with busy websites will need a large national company that can provide mirroring and redundant connections for their websites.

The first consideration in deciding which Vermont Internet providers to use is the type of access you want:

1. Dial-up access is the slowest Internet connection and uses a telephone line. You must dial in to get Vermont Internet access, and you'll frequently have a limit on the amount of connection time you have.

2. Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL, access is available through the phone and is a common type of high-speed Internet. Vermont DSL is faster than a dial-up connection and usually allows dedicated access.

3. Vermont broadband providers have the fastest connections small business owners in Vermont can generally afford. Vermont cable providers also offer high-speed cable Internet access.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate a Vermont ISP that offers cable access to small businesses

ISPs in Vermont that provide an always-on cable connection are frequently the best deal for small businesses. Some national ISPs offer packages tailored to the size of your business.

I recommend: Charter Business offers several packages for businesses and features a cable connection with a downstream rate of up to 16 Mbps. Time Warner Cable is one Vermont high-speed Internet provider that provides business class service. This ISP will allow you to scale your website according to size, traffic and functionality.

Find ISPs in Vermont that offer DSL service for your business

Many ISPs design DSL packages for business owners throughout much of the nation. Businesses can bundle multiple services together, such as Internet and web hosting, to get a better deal from the ISP.

I recommend: AT&T offers a package that combines DSL, VoIP, web hosting, networking and wireless Internet. You can determine if your specific location is in a service area by providing the telephone number of your business at AT&T's website. Qwest offers DSL connections along with many other Internet services for small businesses.

Check out the access packages from local ISPs in Vermont

A rural business may have to depend on small, local Internet service providers. Vermont ISPs frequently offer wireless DSL service for these businesses.

I recommend: Sovernet Communications provides access to Tier 1 providers for residents and businesses in northern New England. Vermont Link is based in Hardwick and offers SDSL and wireless services to businesses in Vermont.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check your ISP's terms of service for website size limitation if you plan to have a large website. You will also need to ensure that your ISP permits commercial websites if you wish to have a website for your small business. Most VT Internet providers also offer multiple email addresses so that you can assign a separate one to each employee.