What Is An Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Using the Internet has become instant and effortless. We use it without thinking to reply to emails, scroll social media or do a quick grocery shop online. In fact, the UK has one of the biggest online populations with over 60 million Internet users, according to Statista. In the next two years, this number is projected to jump to 63 million.

And we all know that feeling of panic when the connection is down and it feels like something is completely missing from our day-to-day routine.

This seamless connectivity is all thanks to Internet Service Providers (ISPs). An ISP is the company which connects your home, office and devices to the Internet. Simply put, an ISP is your gateway to online connectivity.

The Internet: A Network Of Networks

A common misconception about the Internet is that it’s just “one big thing” that exists somewhere out there, in the unknown. But it’s not just one single place. It’s actually a vast network made up of millions of smaller networks that are all connected to each other.

These networks are linked together by undersea cables, satellites, wireless towers and fibre-optic lines. They belong to governments, businesses, telecom companies and data centres.

What Does An ISP Do?

At its core, ISPs provide access to the Internet. But what does that actually mean and how is it done?

When you enter a website address into your browser, your device automatically sends a request either through your router or modem. That request is then sent from your router to your ISP.

The ISP routes the request through some of the bigger Internet networks and it will finally reach the server where the data for that specific website is stored. All of that data travels back through the networks and your ISP delivers it right back to your device.

It seems like a lot of steps, but this process happens in a matter of seconds, from the time you hit enter on your keyboard to the website loading on your device.

How Are ISPs Different To WiFi?

WiFi and the Internet are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing. Put simply, WiFi is just the wireless signal inside a building that enables your devices to connect to the Internet without needing cables.

It’s your ISP that provides the actual Internet connection, whereas your router makes it accessible from around your house or office space.

If you didn’t have an ISP, your WiFi network would still exist – it just wouldn’t connect you to the outside world.

Different Connections That ISPs Provide

There are a range of different types of Internet connections offered by ISPs, which largely depend on the location and available infrastructure in that area.

Fibre-Optic

Fibre Internet uses very thin strands of glass or plastic to transmit data as light signals, resulting in lightning-fast speeds and better reliability.

It’s become the top choice for both residences and businesses alike due to its ability to manage vast amounts of data with very little delays.

Satellite Internet

This type of Internet connects your location to satellites which are orbiting the Earth. It’s ideal to use in outlying or remote areas where cable installation and maintenance is a challenge.

However, it can sometimes have higher latency which means there may be occasional delays in your communication from time to time.

Cable Internet

Cable Internet uses the same type of coaxial cables that provide TV services. It’s generally quite fast but can slow down during peak hours when multiple households in the same area share the same connection.

This type is becoming more outdated as fibre-optic takes its place.

Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadband, also known as 4G and 5G, use cellular networks to give you Internet access, which is what your smartphone device uses. There are ISPs that offer wireless routers which run entirely on mobile networks.

Where Does An IP Address Come In?

One of the most crucial things that your ISP does is assign your device an IP address. It’s a number which is used to identify your specific device on the Internet.

When data is sent across the Internet, it needs to know where its final destination is and your IP address will tell it where to deliver that information to.

Think of it almost as a fingerprint for your device, which is completely unique.

Why You Need To Choose The Right ISP

When it comes to ISPs, there are a lot of options on the market. Some are good and some are not even worth looking at. The quality of your Internet experience depends heavily on who you choose as a provider.

You should take into consideration the ISP’s upload and download speeds especially if you plan to use the Internet for work, data limits, customer support if something goes wrong and overall reliability.

Different ISPs will also have different pricing structures and contract terms. Some offer more flexible options, while others can lock you in for a period longer than you might be comfortable with.

Your choice will also depend largely on what you use the Internet for. If it’s for light browsing and casual streaming, you can get away with moderate speeds. But if you work remotely or have a multi-person household with a lot of devices, higher speeds and lower latency should be a priority.