As of July 2003, 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 midcoast.com will bill you according to your midcoast.com plan.

Note: Most Internet features (web surfing, e-mail, chat, games) do not require the use of AOL. A midcoast.com 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 midcoast.com subcriber

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Step 1 - Connect to Midcoast.com
Connect to Midcoast.com 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 Midcoast.com 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 midcoast.com
Once you have selected TCP in your AOL software setup, connect toMidcoast.com using Dial Up Networking
Sign onto AOL as you normally would.
You will then be connected to AOL, skipping the dialing sequence (you have already made your connection through midcoast.com)
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