Take a look at the FlashNet sales office's most frequently asked questions.
Do you really offer unlimited access?
How many phone lines (or modems) do you have?
Why are you less expensive than others?
What kind of software do I need?
Do you have 1(800) access for modem connections?
Question #1
Do you really offer unlimited access?
Answer: Yes. Whether with the monthly or annual accounts, you are allowed access 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Some people have taken this to mean that they can leave their computer on for several hours without using it. In this instance, however, after 45 minutes of inactivity, the modems will disconnect the user's modem. For example, if you are going to take a lunch break or are leaving the house for a little while and leave your account connected, the modems will disconnect 45 minutes after the last use. Active time (or time that you are actually using the service) is not monitored.
Question #2
How many phone lines (or modems) do you have?
Answer: This could be our single most asked question. Quite frankly, the question is either mis-worded or irrelevant. If we had 30 lines(and modems) and 30 customers, we would be doing fantastic. However, if we had 30 lines (and modems) and 3000 customers, we would never be able to stay in business. FlashNet is dedicated to maintaining a user to modem ratio of 10:1. This means that for every ten (10) users one (1) modem is available. This ratio is a constant maintenance project in each city that we serve, and so, the actual number is constantly being upgraded. With the variety of people joining the Internet community with their different schedules and usage patterns, this ratio generally means that you can expect to receive a busy signal less than 1% of the time when you call to connect.
Question #3
Why are you less expensive than others? (This is really two questions in one.)
Answer A: We are less expensive than other Internet Service Providers mainly for philosophical reasons. While we maintain top-end equipment and utilize fiber optic technologies for line efficiency, like most other large service providers (and unlike most smaller providers), let's face it - those things are required anyway once you have a large number of people relying on you for access. The real reason is profit. We think that it is fair to create a $10 profit per year from each customer, while other providers wish to make $10 per month. This allows FlashNet to grow at a fast pace with increasingly good service but without the trappings of big-business ethics (or lack thereof).
Answer B: We are less expensive than Online Services mainly for reasons of propriety. We are not interested in taking publicly accessible information, putting it in our own format that only our software can read, and charging by the hour to view it. FlashNet's interest is in providing our customers with the gateway for accessing this information. Of course, the evolution of the World Wide Web is what generally makes this possible.
Question #4
What kind of software do I need?
Answer: Generally, if you are reading this web page, you will not need any additional software. Exceptions are noted if you are viewing this from an Online Service or using proprietary software. Users of Windows95 are in luck because it comes with dial-up networking pre-installed. However, if you do not wish to mess with Windows95's (often confusing) networking configurations and settings, or if you do not already have configurable Internet software, FlashNet does offer Netscape Personal Edition 3.0 for Windows, Windows95, or Macintosh.
Question #5
Do you have a trial period?
Answer: Flashnet does not offer a trial period. Our committment is to provide our customers with the best quality service at the best prices. A trial period of any length would make this difficult, if not impossible, to maintain. A 10:1 user to modem ratio could not be maintained if the number of users to be accessing the system could not be consistently determined, not to mention that our existing customers, who trust us to provide quality service, would suffer from having unpaid users utilizing the phone lines, modems, and tech support. Our customers deserve better than that. On the other hand, FlashNet does offer a 30-day money back guarantee on all annual accounts.
Question #6
Do you have 1(800) access for modem connections?
Answer: At this time, FlashNet does not offer this service. The answers to "why not?" vary depending on who you ask. Basically though, if we were to begin offering this service now, it would have to be purchased as a base rate plus hourly charge account, and the connection may not be as stable as a local call. We will attempt to avoid having our customers pay an hourly charge for access. FlashNet will continue to research and develop ways to allow access to customers outside of our calling area.