Internet service provider: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

An Internet Service Provider (an ISP) is a provider of Internet services. Most telecommunications operators are ISPs. They provide services like internet transit, domain name registration and hosting, dial-up access, leased line access and colocation.

In 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. The slower-than-expected growth of broadband services and key decisions on broadband open access matters have all added to the industry's problems.

ISPs

Dialups

• United Online
  • NetZero
  • Juno
• AOL
  • CompuServe
• AT&T
• Boingo
• Demon Internet
• Earthlink
  • MindSpring
• XS4ALL

Free dialups

• Wanadoo
• Freeola
• Juno Online Services
• NetZero
• Free 24/7

• Blueyonder
• Covad
• NorthPoint Communications
• Rhythms NetConnections
• Excite at Home
• Rogers Cable
• Sympatico
• NTLWorld

Others

• community networks
• PIPEX
• Prodigy
• Speakeasy
• UUNET
• IIJ
• Etisalat

• IAP (Internet Access Provider)
• NSP (Network Service Provider)

• Broadband access
  • DSL -- Digital Subscriber Line
  • Fixed wireless access
  • Cable
• Web hosting services
• Usenet servers
• Email sevices
• DNS
  • Dynamic DNS

• Peering
• Telco