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Reported on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 7:22 PM

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BBB has determined that this business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

BBB accreditation does not mean that the business' products or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB, or that BBB has made a determination as to the business' product quality or competency in performing services.

This company participates in BBB Online. This means the company has agreed to use special procedures including arbitration, if necessary, to resolve disputes.

Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of B-

Click here for an explanation of BBB Ratings.

Reasons for this rating include:
• Number of complaints filed against business

Utilities International, Inc.

This company offers internet web hosting, search engine optimizer, web development, internet services and internet service provider.

(716) 831-9716
(716) 831-9698 (FAX)

The company's size, volume of business and number of transactions may have a bearing on the number of complaints received by the BBB. The complaints filed against a company may not be as important as the type of complaints, and how the company has handled them. The BBB generally does not pass judgment on the validity of complaints filed.

Number of complaints processed by the BBB
    in the last 36 months: 49
    in the last 12 months: 35

The BBB has no information regarding Government Actions at this time.

The BBB has no information regarding Ad Reviews at this time.

The following is general information regarding choosing an Internet provider. This report contains a step-by-step guide to follow when considering using the services of an Internet provider.

The Internet is a rapidly growing industry, in which many new companies are offering services that are unfamiliar to the vast majority of consumers. In order to join the world of the Internet, the first thing consumers must do is choose an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Service providers are companies that link consumers to the Internet. There are thousands of providers across the country, and it can be very difficult to compare their services and costs.

COST: Cost is one of the major considerations in evaluating an Internet Service Provider. There are generally two billing methods used for home Internet accounts: flat rates and metered rates.

1) Flat rate accounts charge a certain amount for unlimited monthly usage of the provider's services.
2) Metered rate accounts usually charge a smaller monthly fee which includes a certain number of hours of Internet usage, and then a per hour rate for each hour of usage after that.
3) Consider what is best for you, and be sure to find out if you can switch between the two types of accounts that meet your needs.
4) Find out whether or not free trial periods are available. They can be a good way to examine the provider's service first hand, especially for services that ask for long term commitments.
5) Also investigate the "hidden" charges that may pop up: for example, charges for use during peak hours (usually weekday evenings), separate fees to set up an account, extra storage space, additional accounts for others in the household, or assistance in putting up a page on the World Wide Web.

TYPES OF ACCOUNTS: There are two types of accounts that home users can choose from:

1) Dial up service from their service provider, meaning that they call the provider's computer system every time they want to connect to the Internet.
2) Dedicated line service is a more expensive option for heavy Internet users. A dedicated line provides 24 hour a day service on its own telephone line.
3) Many service providers offer users the ability to set up their own home pages on the World Wide Web. Find out whether or not the service provider offers storage space for personal home pages, and whether there is any extra cost for the storage space necessary for the site.

SERVICE AND RELIABILITY: Internet Service Providers are locked in major competition, and even the largest services are angling to increase the number of subscribers, and thus judging their reliability may be difficult.

1) Check with the Better Business Bureau in the area where the firm is headquartered. Complaints to the Better Business Bureaus about service providers are generally related to access and billing problems.
2) Don't be afraid to switch if you are dissatisfied with your provider's service-there are many others out there looking for your business.
3) Try to find out if there is any kind of backup system in place to guarantee service.
4) Ask how fast the connection is to the service provider, and how often the service is unavailable due to maintenance.
5) Ask your service provider if they have any software to provide secure shopping and credit card transactions over the Internet. Such software may also be downloaded from the Internet for free, or be purchased.
6) Ask if content is censored in any way, and if you are interested, if there is any software that permits the consumer to censor content for minors using the household account.
7) Ask when technical support is available; some service providers have a 24 hour phone line (which may help you avoid heavy peak hours), others may have advice by fax or e-mail only.
8) Also ask if there is any type of charge for the service, how large the support staff is, and how busy they get, especially during peak hours.

SOFTWARE: Software is a crucial element for connecting to the Internet. It is important to know whether the provider uses its own unique software, or uses general commercial connectors.

1) Ask if you can use your own software if you do not choose to use theirs.
2) Make sure that the provider offers software for your operating system, and that you will be able to get copies in an acceptable format, either through the mail or downloaded from the Internet itself.

As with many services, shopping around will get you the best value. If you are dissatisfied with the services of your current Internet service provider, there are many more to choose from. Switching may be more cost effective than continuing to use a service provider who provides poor service.

For a list of Upstate NY BBB members in this industry, talk with one of our operators or go to our website at www.upstateny.bbb.org, under the membership roster.

This information is general in nature and is not to be interpreted as a reliability report on any company.

As a matter of policy, the BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.

BBB Reliability Reports are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information in this BBB Reliability Report is believed reliable, but not guaranteed as to accuracy.

BBB Reliability Reports generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Reliability Reports are subject to change at any time.

If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted the BBB for a BBB Reliability Report.

ID: 30001289
Report as of: 2/9/2010 7:22 PM

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