Product Trends Magazine

About the company: “NetZero offers easy-to-use, reliable Internet service with thousands of access numbers nationwide, fast connections, feature-rich email and Email on the Web, and instant messaging compatible with AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, and Yahoo! All for less than 1/2 the cost of AOL®, EarthLink or MSN!”

The big pitch: Sign up for NetZero Platinum, HiSpeed 3G, or Free Internet Access today!

Netzero.net is an internet service provider that originated as a free ISP, but now also offers low cost premimum internet services such as high-speed dial-up and broadband access. There are several different levels of internet service that you can purchase; you can have access to free internet service, as long as you only use 10 hours per month. A step up from this plan is the unlimited internet access starting at $9.95 per month, which is a heck of a deal. A third internet service option is to go for NetZero’s fastest, cutting edge technology internet service, called NetZero HiSpeed 3G for Broadband.

Netzero.net also offers a range of internet-related add-on services, including pop-up blocker, spam protection, and email virus protection. Additionally, you are allowed up to 1GB of email storage, which is a significant amount of space for most people.

NetZero.net has plans available that are geared towards families as well. For example, NetZero.net offers “NetZero Premium Content Family Pack”, where your family can have access to the Encylopaedia Brittanica, Shockwave.com Gameblast, AmericanGreetings.com, and Clever Island for as little as $4.95/month.

NetZero.net has jumped all over the free internet phone-calling bandwagon with their “NetZero Voice” voice-over internet (VOIP) service. Features of this free voice over internet technology that works over dial-up or broadband include unlimited computer-to-computer minutes, encompass caller ID, call waiting, and call blocking - and you can also send instant messages and email on the web. Voicemail is also free, and there’s an online message center, which is convenient. In short, NetZero is a full-bodied voice-over internet service, and all for just $14.95 per month!

So what’s the downside? Well, if you’re using the free NetZero service, you’re going to have to deal with minimal online time, because ten hours, free or not, is pretty slim pickin’s. Additionally, download speeds can be pretty darn slow, and you lose a portion of your screen to a NetZero ad banner, but hey, you get what you pay for. The NZ folks need to pay their rent somehow, you cheap bastards!

The better deal is the Platinum package, which gives you unlimited dial-up net access for $9.95 per month. You still get the NetZero ad banner, and you’re still on dial-up, but you don’t have to trim you online time with this option, and $9.95 is dirt cheap compared to the prices rip-off merchants like AOL charge for similar services (and it goes down to just $6.95 if you pay for six months at a time!).

The Product Trends rating: NetZero.net is an extremely viable option for free or low cost internet service. It is a perfect internet service option if you have a small budget for computer and internet services. Plus, you can save loads of money by using free calls over the internet. NetZero.net is an affordable way to take advantage of the internet super highway. Four stars. — Reviewed by Jillian Dobbs

To try NetZero for yourself, click the image below:

About the company: "Boingo® provides software technology and roaming services that help bring the wireless Internet to the masses. The company has assembled a large and rapidly growing roaming system with tens of thousands of hot spot locations under contract around the world.”

The big pitch: Unlimited connect time for a low monthly fee on the easiest-to-use worldwide network of wi-fi hotspots.

Boingo was founded in 2001 by Sky Dayton, previously known as the founder of Earthlink, and has since won countless recognitions as one of today’s best startup companies as well as one of the fastest growing electronic companies on the planet. Boingo’s goal from its onset was to create the largest network of highspeed hotspots in the world. They are currently growing quite rapidly to offer extended services such as connection software and internet phoning through its partners.

With over 20,000 hotspots around the world it is clear that Boingo is geared toward travellers. They have set themselves up so that a customer can log on to the internet using their laptop or handheld device while at the airport, hotel and even on the airplane. While at any given destination there will often be Boingo hotspots at local cafes, bookstores and even campgrounds. A subscriber to Boingo will only have to turn on their computer, launch the free software and they’re online.

As for the wi-fi networks themselves, Boingo offers download speeds that are 100s of times faster then dial-up. They are constantly increasing access points making it easier and easier to find locations to connect from. For someone who’s always on the go this is a dream come true.

The software they provide is easy enough, though like any software there are posted reports of bugs or users who can’t seem to get it running. It searches for hotspots around you and makes connection a breeze—even if your using it for a network other then Boingo and even in your home. For Boingo subscribers, the software also contains a directory of worldwide connection points.

For the average internet user though, this is all flash. Windows XP users will find connecting to various hotspots is easy enough already and connecting to the internet from your house is all most people need. Those that venture to local coffee shops on occasion can often find free hotspots with ease and some companies have already launched wi-fi services that use advertising for income. One can even find hotels that offer free internet access to their guests. But if what you want is something more secure, vast and reliable, or you are in a business that sends you travelling a lot, then Boingo is highly worthwhile and will payoff tenfold.

Boingo Wireless has received praise from newspapers and ezines around the world. Their monthy fee of $21.95 is in the ballpark of what regular in-home internet providers charge. They also offer 24hr option for under $10 and have package deals for all sizes of business, which is really where their biggest appeal would come from.

The Product Trends rating: Four stars. An occassional traveler could research their trip and find cheaper alternatives, but if you travel a lot or simply want the best then Boingo Wireless is for you. —Reviewed by Phil Pivnick

To try Boingo for yourself, click the image below: