Internet Service Provider

An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides the Internet to customers. ISPs can provide dial-up or broadband Internet. Broadband is much faster and could include fiber optic service, digital subscriber line (DSL), and satellite. ISPs vary in size and in the services they offer. ISPs offer a number of services to customers in addition to an Internet connection. These companies can provide Internet service to small areas or to large cities. ISPs first became popular in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s. Most Internet users in the United States access the Internet through ISPs.

Types of ISPs

A number of different types of ISPs exist. Some ISPs are differentiated by their size. In the United States, small ISPs, regional ISPs, and national ISPs exist. Residential customers can receive Internet access from an ISP of any size, but often the smaller ISPs provide Internet to residential customers in a limited area.

These smaller ISPs often hook into regional or national ISPs. The regional ISPs are larger and can serve larger areas, such as an entire state. The regional ISPs sometimes connect to national ISPs, which are even larger and span the entire country. These large ISPs play a major role in carrying Internet traffic across the country. Often national ISPs peer with one another, which means they work together to share traffic loads, and they run between and among major cities all around the country. At times, small ISPs can hook directly into national ISPs, bypassing regional ISPs.

Another type of ISP is a virtual ISP. Virtual ISPs use the services of a larger ISP, but they have their own branding and billing. These ISPs might be used by groups or organizations such as charities or religious groups. Eventually, these ISPs could become large enough to be independent and offer their own services.

ISPs and Connecting to the Internet

The Internet is a global system made of computers, servers, and networks that are connected through wires or wirelessly. The Internet allows people to communicate easily and cheaply across vast distances, and it provides access to a wealth of information and resources. For those reasons, accessing the Internet is important in society. One of the easiest ways to connect to the Internet in the United States and other countries around the world is through an ISP. Customers usually have a number of ISPs from which to choose, so they have to consider their needs when choosing the right ISP for them.

Residential customers, businesses, and other organizations have to choose ISPs so they can have an Internet connection. One of the biggest factors in choosing an ISP is which companies provide services in a particular area. Another factor is the type of Internet connection the ISP provides. Broadband connections, such as fiber, can provide high speeds, but some ISPs do not offer this type of connection. Some providers may offer DSL or even a dial-up connection. Connection speed is especially important for businesses and people who rely on the Internet, and these customers would most likely want to find a broadband connection if it is available. A third important factor in choosing an ISP is the monthly fee and the services provided for that fee. Many customers want to choose a competitively priced ISP that offers customer support.

Customers who rely on the Internet for business should consider a few other points. These customers should research the reliability of the ISP and ask if the ISP is redundantly connected to a larger ISP. (If the smaller ISP is not redundantly linked, the one link could fail and cause an Internet outage.) Two other points of concern for business customers are the overall reliability of the ISP’s service and its connection speeds. Finally, customers should find out whether the ISP provides a secure Internet Protocol (IP) network or several IP addresses, if they foresee needing these options.

Consumers who live in remote regions that lack the necessary infrastructure for traditional Internet connections may consider satellite Internet. Satellite Internet tends to be slower than fiber or cable Internet. However, because it links a fixed home modem directly to a satellite in space, satellite Internet requires no landlines, but it still requires equipment and installation. For this reason, satellite Internet is available across most of the world. Some satellite systems use low Earth orbit satellites, which can provide faster speeds and lower delays than older systems.

Services Provided by ISPs

ISPs are best known for providing their customers with Internet service, but they also usually provide other services as well. Many ISPs offer customers the option to create personal websites so they can have a presence on the Internet, and they often offer their customers an email address. Some ISPs offer additional services—such as file transfer protocol (FTP), cloud servers, and physical servers—for additional fees. Many ISPs also offer bundled services that combine Internet, television, and mobile phone plans.

ISPs and the Law

ISPs provide Internet access to many different customers, and it would be nearly impossible for ISPs to know what all their customers are doing online. If an ISP discovers that a customer is breaking certain laws while using the ISP’s Internet connection, however, the ISP may be required to take action under applicable laws. One legal issue that is important on the Internet is the piracy of copyrighted material. The Internet makes it easy for people to illegally download or copy music, books, and other copyrighted materials. If an ISP knows that a customer is involved in such activity, the ISP may be required to follow specific legal procedures.

Bibliography

Bolin, Brad, and Daniel A. Tysver. "ISP Liability." BitLaw, 24 July 2015. www.bitlaw.com/internet/isp.html. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

“Broadband Deployment Report.” Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 2024, www.fcc.gov/reports-research/reports/broadband-progress-reports. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

Habraken, Joseph W. Absolute Beginner's Guide to Networking. 4th ed., Que Publishing, 2003, pp. 312–320.

"Internet Service Providers (ISPs)." Inc.com, 6 Feb. 2020, www.inc.com/encyclopedia/internet-service-providers-isps.html. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

"ISP." PCMag, 24 July 2015, www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/isp. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

Paul, Terry. "Best Satellite Internet Providers for 2026." CNET, 12 Jan. 2026, www.cnet.com/home/internet/best-satellite-internet/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

Pegoraro, Rob. "How to Find the Best Internet Service Provider." USA Today, 3 Aug. 2014. www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2014/08/03/finding-best-isp/13402345/. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

"Virtual ISP." PCMag, 24 July 2015, www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/virtual-isp. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.