1.         INTRODUCTION

1.1  Introduction to ISP

What are ISPs ?

Internet Service Providers (ISP) connect customers to the Internet. For a particular access fee, the service provider provides an installation software, a username and password and access phone number. In addition to serving individuals, ISPs also serve large companies, providing a direct connection from the company's networks to the Internet. ISPs themselves are connected to one another through Plain-vanilla ISPs sell basic access services — either to the retail consumer market or to the corporate customers. The bigger ISPs aim to provide value-added services in the form of integrated IT solutions.

Types Of ISPs

National ISPs

These ISPs operate points of presence throughout the country. One category of national ISPs own the network backbone and lease the international connectivity while the other category of players lease the network and the international connectivity from other ISPs.

The main target segment for these ISPs is the corporate segment. A presence throughout the country helps these ISPs to cover all the locations for a particular corporate. ISPs owning the network backbone use the reliability of service (due to ownership of the network) as a key USP (Unique Selling Proportion) to customers. This is helpful, especially for real-time mission-critical applications.

Regional And Local ISPs

These are the ISPs, which either operate in the smaller towns or particular states. These ISPs serve both the business and consumer segments usually within a geographic region.

Cable ISPs

The cable companies normally own these ISPs, which helps them to get exclusive use of the cables. Cable access ISPs offer broadband Internet connectivity through the coaxial fiber networks. Cable ISPs usually service the consumer segment of the market. The parent makes money from the lease charges of the cable while the ISP uses the access / E-commerce / advertising revenues to compensate for the hiring charges