Frequently Asked Questions about the
Ending of Wayne State's Free Dial-in Internet Access Service

The university's long-time provider of dial-in Internet service, the Merit Network, Inc., discontinued dial-in services on July 2, 2007, after extensive research, consideration, and consultation with their membership community. Moreover, since dial-in technology is becoming obsolete and high-speed access is needed to optimize the performance of computers and applications, it was not wise for Wayne State to invest in its own dial-in service.

Computing & Information Technology staff have compiled the answers to many questions WSU students, faculy, or staff may have.

[Note: We refer to dial-in and dial-up service. They are the same.]

Q&As

  1. Why is Wayne State no longer going to provide free dial-in service?
  2. The university's long-time provider of dial-in Internet service, the Merit Network, Inc., discontinued dial-in services on July 2, 2007. In addition, the number of people using WSU dial-in services has been declining over time as people move to high-speed Internet access at work and at home.
  1. Who is affected by this change?
  2. This change affects a relatively few number of WSU students, faculty, staff, and retirees who access the Internet using the university's dial-in modem pool in Michigan and Windsor, Canada, or using any of the MichNet numbers available throughout the state.
  1. Will I still have access to the WSU Library's licensed resources — such as databases and electronic journals — that I can currently access through the dial-in number?
  2. Yes, all current WSU students, faculty and staff will continue to have access to all the library's licensed resources using EZ Proxy with your WSU AccessID and password .
  1. How can I connect to the Internet when I no longer use WSU's dial-in service?
  2. Students, staff, and faculty members can find free or for purchase Internet access through any of a number of commercial Internet service providers. WSU's Division of Computing & Information Technology recommends high-speed Internet access to optimize the performance of computers, applications, and online services and to make it easier for you to keep operating systems and virus protection software up to date. A wide range of high-speed broadband services (cable, DSL, satellite, wireless) is available throughout southeast Michigan.

    If high-speed Internet access is not an option at your residence, a commercial dial-in Internet service, the most basic means of Internet access available, is another alternative. It would be the most similar to the MichNet dial-in service.

    See Finding an Internet Service Provider for links to search sites.
    Also see Are there any other Internet connectivity alternatives? later in this document.

  1. How long do you think dial-in will continue to be offered by third-party providers?
  2. The industry trend is toward high-speed Internet connectivity. The likelihood is that dial-in will eventually be eliminated, although we have no indication when that may occur.
  1. So you are saying, if I sign up with a third-party dial-in Internet service provider, the provider could make the decision to retire dial-in at any time?
  2. Yes, it's true that a third-party dial-in Internet service provider could decide to stop offering the service at any time.
  1. What's the difference between dial-in and high-speed service?
  2. Internet connections are categorized according to their speed:
    • Narrowband (dial-in/dial-up) – using a phone modem, with a connection speed of 56 kbps or less.
    • Broadband (high speed) – using many technologies including ISDN, DSL, cable modem and wireless, with connections speeds up to 512 kbps for upload and 6.0 mbps for download (or even higher).
  1. If I'm willing to pay for dial-in, can I still use the WSU dial-in modem pool?
  2. You are no longer able to use the university's dial-in service because it was turned off by our provider on July 2, 2007. You need to choose another Internet Service Provider (ISP) to obtain Internet connectivity from your residence. See next question and answer.
  1. What are my other options?
  2. See Finding an Internet Service Provider for links to search sites.
  1. Are there any other Internet connectivity alternatives?
  2. You may want to research countywide wireless initiatives, such as:
  1. Which Internet Service Provider (ISP) does the university recommend?
  2. The university does not recommend a specific ISP. Make your decision about the ISP to use based on which provides you the service you need at a price that is within your budget.  The availability of services in your community is also a factor, and this includes free and low-cost, county-wide wireless services.
  1. If I purchase Internet connectivity from a third-party provider, do I have to use the e-mail address they provide or can I continue to use my Wayne State e-mail address?
  2. You can continue to use your Wayne State e-mail address or you can use the new e-mail address available through the commercial service, or you can use both! However, if you choose to only use the new e-mail address, make sure that you forward your WSU AccessID e-mail to that address so that you don't miss out on important information from your professor, colleagues, or the university.
  1. If I go with a lower-cost dial-in alternative, will I still be able to do everything I currently do with a WayneConnect or MichNet dial-in connection?
  2. If you choose to subscribe to local dial-in service through a commercial ISP, you probably will still be able to do all of things you are able to do on the Internet.
  1. Are there different levels of security depending upon which method of Internet connectivity I choose?
  2. Yes, some Internet connectivity methods are more secure that others.
    • DSL and dial-up (dial-in) are direct connections between your computer and your service provider's network. They are less susceptible to interception, because their traffic does not travel across a shared network before reaching the ISP's main network.
    • High-speed cable connections (e.g., Comcast) have a chance for less security. With a high-speed connection you share your connection with any of your neighbors who have also purchased the service.
    • Wireless network connections in general are less secure and have lower quality when compared to wired connections. Be especially careful when you use a public wireless service like those found in cyber cafes.
  1. What are my options while traveling?
  2. If you will be traveling and need Internet access while you are away, you have several options:
    • Many hotels and motels offer free or low-cost Internet access to guests.
    • Internet access is also widely available in coffee shops, bookstores, and other public establishments.
    • You can check your Wayne State e-mail via the Web (webmail.wayne.edu) at a public library.
    • Some Internet Service Providers include 800 or local numbers for subscribers to use while they are traveling. Check if this option is available to you when you choose an ISP.
  1. I've noticed that if I agree to subscribe to a third-party Internet provider online rather than over the phone I get a discount. Is that because it's less secure for me to subscribe online?
  2. There shouldn't be any difference in terms of security whether you subscribe to a service online or over the telephone. Various offices offer different promotional programs.
  1. If I am not able to get cable where I live, and I'm not near a DSL hub, what options do I have?
  2. You can purchase dial-up service from a third-party provider or find out whether or not these other options are available in your area:
    • Wireless data services from a cellular telephone provider (both Sprint and Verizon offer this in Southeast Michigan)
    • Two-way satellite data services
    • Data over power lines
    • County-wide Wireless networks in Washtenaw and Oakland Counties that are providing free or low-cost access to the Internet
    The first two options are typically more expensive than dial-in, but offer greater speeds and in some cases, flexibility. See Finding an Internet Service Provider for links to search sites.
  1. I understand that I need a modem to be able to use DSL or cable. What do I need to be able to use wireless from home or on campus?
  2. You need a wireless card inside your computer. Most new laptops come with wireless cards. If your computer is not new, check to see if you have one or need to purchase one and add it to your machine. You also may need a wireless router. For more information, contact your Internet Services Provider.
  1. I live in an area where cable is available, but I don't want cable TV. Do I have to have cable TV in order to take advantage of high-speed cable Internet access?
  2. No, you can subscribe to high-speed cable connectivity without having cable TV. You will have to have a cable installed inside your residence, however, to take advantage of cable access to the Internet.
  1. Can I use my phone and computer that connects to a DSL modem at the same time, or do I have to switch between them?
  2. You can use both services at once. To ensure uninterrupted DSL service, however, you need to use a DSL filter on every telephone, fax machine, and answering machine in the house. This device blocks line interference to standard phone equipment because each shares the same line as the DSL service. These filters are part of the DSL equipment package you receive.
  1. I use high-speed cable for Internet connectivity. Will this change affect me?
  2. No. This change affects only individuals who use WSU WayneConnect or MichNet dial-in services to connect to the Internet.
  1. I still have questions. Who do I contact?
  2. Call the Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or send e-mail to helpdesk@wayne.edu.

The information in this page is based on the University of Michigan document — Retirement of U-M Service.