Internet service provider
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An Internet service provider (ISP) is a business or organization that offers users access to the Internet and related services. Most telecommunications operators are ISPs. They provide services such as Internet transit, domain name registration and hosting, dial-up access, leased line access and colocation.
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ISP connection options
Generally, an ISP charges a monthly access fee to the consumer. The consumer then has access to the Internet for an un/limited number of hours, although the speed at which this data is transferred varies widely.
Internet connection speed can generally be divided into two categories: dialup and broadband. Dialup connections range from free to inexpensive and require the use of a phone line. Broadband connections can be either ISDN, wireless, cable, DSL, Satellite or Ethernet. Broadband is faster, always on, and sometimes more expensive.
In the early 2000s, ISPs in the United States faced serious challenges. Telecommunications and IT-related stocks fell sharply, and many ISPs were forced to close, restructure, sell, or merge. Some telcos like Worldcom were spectacular collapses. The slower-than-expected growth of broadband services and key decisions on broadband open access matters have all added to the industry's problems.
Different ISPs in USA
- Adelphia
- AT&T WorldNet
- Blueyonder
- Cable One
- Charter Communications
- Comcast
- Covad
- Cox Communications
- Earthlink
- Netscape
- NetZero
- NorthPoint Communications
- NTLWorld
- PeoplePC
- Qwest
- Rhythms NetConnections
- Rogers Cable
- SBC Communications
- Shaw Cable
- Sprint
- Speakeasy
- Sympatico
- Verizon
- Alconet
Others
Other relevant acronyms
Related services
- Broadband access
- Web hosting services
- Usenet servers
- Email services
- DNS
See also
External links
- Free Internet (http://www.free-internet.name) A comprehensive list of free Internet service providers around the world
- Iron Internet (http://www.iron.com.br) Provides a lot of Internet services in South America (Brazil)
- ISP Speed Test (http://www.devtoolz.com/speed_test/) Provides a tool to test the speed of the ISP you reside on.
- ADSL Guide (http://www.adslguide.org) Provides comparisons of ISP's for the United Kingdom.
- Free Internet Directory (http://welovefreebies.com/folders/Free_Internet_ISP) A directory offering free internet service providers.
- ISP Providers (http://www.high-speed-internet-4less.com/industry-news/industry-news-index.htm) Provides news articles about different ISPs and technological advances in online communications.
- ISP Directory - helping Consumers with ISPs since 1998 (http://www.findanisp.com/)da:Internetudbyder
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