There are numerous local and national providers to whom remote access can be outsourced. This service may be provided in-house or outsourced. Networks and computer systems are only as secure as the least secure system on the network. assuring privacy of information and intellectual privacy. Institutions have an obligation to assure and secure information about individuals, storage of files, etc. separating personal use, including e-mail, from institution business. Several institutions report that up to one-half of the calls to their HelpDesks are related to modem and PC configuration for remote access.
Alumni can often benefit from good deals with ISPs.
E-mail may provide the only access to some professors and courses. Several institutions report that modem pools with 10-15 minute time limits on some modems improve service. Users can quickly check e-mail or the Web. Drawing the analogy to television, television over the air is free, but one pays more for cable services, presumably of better quality. Most people accept Cable TV as a utility bill now.