UNM Information Technologies (IT)

Connecting from Off Campus

If you have a connection to the Internet from your home or other location off campus, you can still access your NetID e-mail and file storage.

Connecting to the Internet

There are three main ways to obtain Internet service:

DSL/Cable Broadband Service

DSL and cable provide the fastest connections to the Internet, but at a higher cost than dial-up.

These high-speed (broadband) connections are usually at leat ten times faster than a dial-up connection.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is usually offered by local telephone companies in partnerships with ISPs. This service is available via a standard phone (land) line but requires special setup and additional equipment.

Cable Internet access also requires special equipment (cable modem) and there is an additional fee.

The main provider of DSL service in New Mexico is Qwest. Comcast is the main provider of cable service. Check their websites for availability and pricing in your area. If you live in a residence halls on campus, you can purchase Comcast Internet service at a discount as part of a Comcast cable package.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) Dial-up Service

Dial-up service is usually cheaper but also slower than DSL or cable.  To use dial-up, you must have a modem installed in your computer and access to a normal phone line (land line). You cannot use dial-up service with a cell phone.

Many Internet Service Providers (ISP) offer packages that provide dial-up access to the Internet. National companies offering these services include AOL and PeoplePC . There are also many local companies that can provide service. Go to http://www.thelist.com/areacode/505/ to see a list of ISPs in New Mexico.

IT does not recommend any particular supplier for your Internet service. You should compare costs and services before signing up for an ISP.

Free UNM Dial-up Service

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT — The Dial-up service will be discontinued February 1, 2010.

UNM provides limited, free dial-up service for faculty, students, staff and retirees.

To access this service, you’ll need:

  • a valid NetID
  • a modem installed for your computer
  • a standard telephone line connection dial-up networking (DUN) software provided by IT

You may download SetupDUN software at the IT Download page.

For more information, read more about Dialing into the UNM Network and see "Does UNM offer free dialup access?" in the FastInfo knowledge base.