what is an internet service provider isp 
an internet service provider isp is any company that provides internet access to consumers and businesses the internet is provided through a variety of channels including cable dsl fiber optics dial up and wireless with most isps offering all options most large telecommunication companies such as mobile and cable companies are isps isps make it possible for their customers to surf the web shop online conduct business and connect with family and friends all for a fee isps may also provide other services including email services domain registration web hosting and browser packages an isp may also be referred to as an information service provider a storage service provider an internet network service provider insp or any combination of these three based on the services offered by the company understanding internet service providers isps internet service was originally limited to government agencies and specific university departments the technology was developed to provide access to the general public through the world wide web in the late 1980s initially consumers were able to gain limited access through a few isps america online aol being one of the most recognized names at the time that used dial up connections using a phone line the number of isps increased to several thousand during the mid 1990s and the boom was on as the options for connectivity increased and speeds moved away from slower dial up connections the internet economy was born providers developed more advanced technology allowing customers high speed access via broadband technology through cable and digital subscriber line dsl modems behind all of this was a multilayered web of connections local isps sold access to customers but paid larger isps for their own access these larger isps in turn paid even larger isps for access the trail leads to tier 1 carriers that can reach every network access point without having to pay for access these tier 1 companies own the infrastructure in their region internet service providers provide their customers with access to the internet plain access providers just handle the traffic between the individual and the internet as a whole but there may also be other services bundled in depending on the customer s location and availability some of these services include as of 2023 approximately 95 of u s adults use the internet and 80 of american adults have broadband service at home 1