Internet Service Provider
ISP is the acronym for Internet Service Provider and represents the company that provides various Internet services to interested customers. Usually, the IPSs provide either business or individual Internet access with advantageous Internet packages.
Short overview
The Internet Service Provider is the company which is able to provide Internet connectivity at home or at a specific workplace by means of a contract being concluded. In this way, the beneficiary (either an individual person or an organization) pays a monthly fee but there is also the possibility to a one year advanced payment in order to enjoy various discounts for customer fidelity. [1]
The ISPs support various forms of Internet access, such as the traditional modem dial-up up to DSL and cable modem broadband service to dedicated T1/T3 lines.
ISP Services
If the beneficiary is looking for more speed and a great Internet connection, then the DSL (digital subscriber line) accounts are the best offers. As compare to the dial-up, the DSL can share the line with the telephone in your home or office so that the telephone can be used anytime without problems.
If one is looking for higher tiers or faster Internet speed, there are plenty of solutions offered by ISPs for some additional costs.
There are also Internet solutions which do not involve the use of the telephone. Such a solutions is known as "cable Internet connectivity" option which in comparison with the DSL does not use the telephone. The Internet data is routed on the same cable which brings signal to the TV. The Internet connectivity works well because there is enough bandwidth to carry out signals without any problems. The costs for a cable Internet connectivity are higher as compared to DSL but the user can also enjoy a package which offers both Internet connectivity and cable. [2] Other similar Internet packages offer related Internet services like email, Web hosting and access to software tools.
Lately, there are more and more wireless Internet service providers referred to as WISPs who offer Internet access by means of wireless LAN or wireless broadband networks. [3]
ISP packages
Along with the monthly Internet contract, the ISP also offers all necessary tools for the user to use the Internet. In this way, for a monthly fee, the user also receives a software package which must be installed, a username along with a password and access phone number. Equipped with a modem, the beneficiary can log in to the Internet and browse the World Wide Web, send and receive e-mail and perform other Internet-related actions. [4]