If you are an America Online subscriber and are paying long distance telephone rates for your connection, you may be able to save some money by connecting to America Online via AstoriaIL.net. America Online members can avoid long distance changes by obtaining a AstoriaIL.net account, then changing their AOL billing method to "Bring Your Own Access" (BYOA). You can go to KEYWORD:BILLING to change your billing method, or call AOL.

As of April 2002, the cost of the BYOA program with America Online was $14.95 per month for unlimited access. If you choose this option, then AOL will bill you $14.95 per month and AstoriaIL.net will bill you according to your AstoriaIL.net rate. connection to AstoriaIL.net.

Note: Most Internet features (web surfing, e-mail, chat, games) do not require the use of AOL. A AstoriaIL.net account alone is generally sufficient.

Instructions on setting AOL up for a TCP connection, if you choose to keep your AOL service, are provided below.

These instructions assume you are already an America Online subscriber and a AstoriaIL.net subcriber

Step 1 - Connect to AstoriaIL.net

Connect to AstoriaIL.net the way you normally do. This is usually accomplished through Dial Up Networking, which is built into Windows 95 and Windows 98. (See instructions you received with your AstoriaIL.net account if you need assistance with this.)

Step 2 - Double click on the America Online icon to launch America Online

Step 3 - Reconfigure your America Online application to connect via a TCP (TCP/IP) connection

This is also referred to as connecting via "TCP for ISP/LAN" in the AOL software. The instructions vary depending on the version of AOL you have, so call AOL if you have questions about how to do this. The end result of this is that you create and then select a "location" or setup for TCP, instead of "home" or another setup that has your compuer dialup AOL access numbers.

Step 4 - Connect to America Online through AstoriaIL.net

1. Once you have selected TCP in your AOL software setup, connect to AstoriaIL.net using Dial Up Networking
2. Sign onto AOL as you normally would.
3. You will then be connected to AOL, skipping the dialing sequence (you have already made your connection through AstoriaIL.net)
4. Don't forget to go to AOL's KEYWORD:BILLING or call AOL to change your billing method to BYOA. If you don't request the change, AOL will continue to charge you a higher rate as if you were dialing directly to AOL's access numbers.