What Is an Internet Service Provider?
An Internet service provider (ISP) is a company that provides access to the
Internet, just as a phone company provides access to telephone lines. Some
of the most popular ISPs are AOL, AT&T, and Earthlink. There are thousands
of ISPs to choose from, and each offers a different selection of services.
Because anyone with a computer and a phone line can become an ISP, the
quality of services can vary widely.
Services
The primary services provided by most all ISPs include:
Either a baseband (dialup) or a broadband (DSL, cable, wireless, or
satellite) connection (The type of connections available can vary by
geographic location.)
Email
Access to the Internet
Access to newsgroups
Space on their computer to host your own Web pages
Technical support
In addition to these basic services, a myriad of other services are also
available. These may include automatic virus scanning, instant messaging,
(IM) content filtering, anti-spam programs, news, and discussion forums.
Note that these and other additional services may be priced separately from
the base services.