1: Uptime commitments.
Insist on specific wording that governs what happens when service fails. Does your organization receive credit off its bill? Will the ISP scramble a technician 24x7? Both?
2: Downstream speed
Test all new circuits' downstream speeds the day they're installed, a month later, and quarterly after that.
3: Upstream capacity
The increasing popularity of VPNs, remote access, and automated offsite backups place great premiums on an ISP's upstream capacities.
4: Port freedom
ISP A may block Telnet on networks on the east side of town, but not the west. ISP B, meanwhile, may not block Telnet at all.
5: SMTP flexibility
Be sure to check with the ISP to learn whether it supports open SMTP port 25 traffic.
6: Accessible technical support
Support hours are between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday. That's unacceptable for an ISP.
7: Responsive field service
Be sure you know the ISP's field response policies, and be sure they match your organization's requirements, before signing a contract.
8: Equipment quality
When comparing two ISPs' bids, consider the quality of each firm's equipment. The less time an IT pro must spend on site administering, reconfiguring, or restarting network equipment, the better.
9: Equipment flexibility
it makes more sense to purchase network equipment, where possible, to achieve lower total costs of ownership.
10: Pricing
When factoring price, however, be sure to compare apples to apples.
