Delaware 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 Internet service providers in Delaware. 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 DE Internet service provider 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 Delaware 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. Delaware DSL is faster than a dial-up connection and usually allows dedicated access.

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

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

Locate a Delaware ISP that offers cable access to small businesses

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

Find Delaware ISPs 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: Qwest offers DSL connections along with many other Internet services for small businesses. 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 on its website.

Check out the access packages from local ISPs in Delaware

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

I recommend: Centuria Network offers commercial grade DSL to businesses throughout the Delaware Valley. Bay Broadband is available to small and medium businesses on both sides of the Chesapeake Bay.

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 Delaware business ISPs also offer multiple email addresses so that you can assign a separate one to each employee.