Unfortunately, like many things in our lives these days, time has caught up with the modem pool. Over the last several years the use of the modem pool has dropped significantly as higher speed cable modem and DSL services have become pervasive. At the same time, the cost of maintaining it has increased. Over the years we have decreased the number of lines as usage declined, but it now makes no financial sense for the University to continue the service.
While ITS tries to avoid taking services away, retiring the modem pool was necessary for several reasons, including:
- We actually need a telephone number for each modem in the pool and those costs have not decreased.
- The equipment is aging, out of support, and cannot be replaced, even if we wanted to. All of the manufacturers have dropped the product lines.
- Service personnel are required to maintain the modem pool, and ITS has had staffing cuts due to the current financial crisis.
- University faculty and staff traveling on business can easily find Internet access in hotels around the world.
- Our modem pool cannot compete financially with equivalent commercial services.
As a result, you will no longer be able to dial in to the BC network using 617-552-2790 or 1-800-791-1791.
Faculty and staff have a variety of alternate options for accessing the Boston College network from off-campus.
WIFI Alternatives
Many community businesses now offer wireless access to their patrons; some are free, while others may charge a fee or require a purchase of a beverage or meal in order to gain access. Many public libraries also offer free web access.
See this listing of free WiFi locations across the country.
Wireless Broadband Card Alternatives
Wireless broadband cards simply connect to your laptop and provide instant Internet access via cellular technology. Learn more about wireless broadband cards.
Dial-Up Alternatives
Many Internet service providers offer relatively low-cost dial-up service on a per-usage and monthly basis. See below for local dial-up Internet access alternatives.
Note: Not all services are available in all areas. You'll need to provide basic information to the vendor to assess whether service is available in your area. These services typically offer multiple dial-in numbers across the country, letting you connect to the web when you travel.
| Pricing | Description | |
| EarthLink | Due to the often changeable nature of pricing structures, please refer to each vendor's web site for current pricing. | Unlimited dial-up |
| NetZero | Two different packages, low-cost option, fast connections. | |
| Sonic | Accelerated dial-up | |
| RCN | Includes a Dial-Up Accelerator to browse web pages up to 5x faster |
High-Speed Internet Alternatives
Note: Not all services are available in all areas. You'll need to provide basic information to the vendor to assess whether service is available in your area. These services typically offer multiple dial-in numbers across the country, letting you connect to the web when you travel.
| Pricing | Description | |
| Comcast | Due to the often changeable nature of pricing structures, please refer to each vendor's web site for current pricing. | Cable modem service. Best if you already have Comcast cable. |
| AT&T/Yahoo | Different packages. Low-cost option, sometimes cheaper than dial-up. | |
| EarthLink | Several packages, offering speed up to 4x faster than regular DSL. | |
| AOL | DSL or cable high speed. Easy self-installation and setup. | |
| Verizon/Verizon Fios | Multiple packages. Download speeds vary from 3Mbps, 768Kbps. | |
| RCN | Up to 1.5Mbps, 5Mbps, 10Mbps or 20Mbps download speeds |
All the vendors have their configuration instructions on the Web, and software that installs itself, so it should be easy for you to get set up quickly. Boston College does not provide technical support for other dial-up or high-speed connections, so you will have to contact the vendor's support if you need help.
Configure your VPN
If you want to access certain Boston College resources, whether by dial-up or by high-speed, you'll need VPN (virtual private network). Visit bc.edu/vpn