Internet service provider
Also called: ISP or internet access provider
An Internet service provider is a provider of Internet services to the general public. Generally, this refers to Internet access providers, which in addition to Internet access often offer additional services such as e-mail addresses, newsgroups (Usenet) and hosting homepages.
With the emergence of total Internet, telephony and television providers(triple play and quadruple play), the markets for Internet access, fixed telephony and television connections have become highly intertwined.
Whereas in the early days of the Internet it was necessary to dial in to the Internet provider's server via a modem, today Internet connections run exclusively through the cable networks and DSL and fiber optic networks of the major cable and telecom providers.
In a broader definition, the term ISP also refers to more specialized Internet service providers, such as hosting providers.
