by “ISP (internet service provider)” is a company that allows businesses and personal customers to access the internet. ISPs make it possible for you to browse through the web, conduct business, shop online and connect with friends and family – all at a nominal fee.
ISPs might even offer other services involving domain registration, email services, browser packages, and web hosting. An ISP can also be called a storage service provider, information service provider, INPS (internet network service provider), or a blend of all these, depending on the services provided by the company.
What is the major purpose of ISPs (internet service providers)?
Internet service was originally restricted to specific university departments and government agencies. The technology was basically developed to endow access to the public via the WWW (World Wide Web) around the late 1980s. Over time, the number of internet service providers increased to several thousand and during the middle of the 1990s, it saw a big boom. As options for connectivity steadily increased with speed, dial-up became less popular.
The internet service providers developed advanced technology, permitting high-speed access through broadband technology via DSL (digital subscriber line) modems. Behind all this exists a multilayered web connection. Local ISPs sold the access to you and paid bigger ISPs a sum for their own internet access. This trail makes the Tier 1 carrier reach each network’s access point without the requirement to pay for the access. Such tier 1 companies often have their own infrastructure located in their area.
ISP provides its customers with access to instant internet. Lower-level internet service access providers only manage the traffic between the internet and individuals. However, there might even be other bundled services based on the availability and location of the customer. A few of these services are –
∙ Software packages and browser
∙ Domain registration
∙ Web hosting services
∙ Email services
What is IPS – tier 1?
In IPS – tier 1, businesses and customers are accustomed to the very idea that they should connect directly with the internet network from anywhere – whether at home or sitting at a coffee shop. In order to deliver this connectivity at high speed, many businesses have invested in the costly infrastructure that consists of fibre optic cables. Owing to its high investment cost, tier 1 often appears to have a monopoly in the region.
A particular company might appear to have overall or near total control of the market in a specific region. In India, businesses might appear following an oligopoly approach instead of a monopoly, wherein two or more companies work together to attain market returns. Such ISPs have a global reach and adequate physical network lines for carrying out most traffic. Also, they tend to negotiate with the other tier 1 networks to provide free traffic to go through via another internet tier 1 service provider. The tier 1 ISPs basically sell the network access to the tier 2 ISPs.
What is ISP – tier 2?
ISP – tier 2 holds national or regional reach and are internet service providers that connect with tier 1 as well as tier 3 ISPs. They purchase access to the more significant tier 1 networks and are peers with the other tier 2 ISPs. The tier 2 networks basically concentrate on commercial customers.
What is ISP – tier 3?
ISP – tier 3 connects you as a customer to the internet through another ISP network. The tier 3 ISP pays higher tier ISPs for access to internet networks. They concentrate on offering internet access to the consumer and business markets.
ISPs and the distinct kinds of services offered by them
ISPs offer the listed internet services –
- Cable – This specific service makes use of coaxial cable. This is the same kind of cable used for television connection. Cable networks come with low latency, which is great for users who require less delay/lag time. The cable comes with a download speed equaling 10 and 500 MBPS and an upload speed equaling between 5 and 50 MBPS.
- Fibre – Fibre internet makes use of fibre optic cable for transmitting data. It offers much quicker speed as compared to digital or cable subscriber lines. Fibre comes with a download speed between 250 and 1,000 MBPS and an upload speed between 250 and 1,000 MBPS. Note that fibre is prudent for online gamers as well as heavy internet users.
- DSL – DSL directly connects the users to the internet through a telephone line. This is widely available. However, it is slowly getting replaced by reliable broadband connections like fibre and cable. DSL is a slow connection form and provides a download speed of anywhere between 5 and 35 MBPS and an upload speed of anywhere between 1 and 10 MBPS. This is an excellent option if you are one of those users residing in a rural region and those majorly surfing the streaming TV or web on just one device.
- Satellite – Satellite internet access works perfectly via a communication satellite. Ground stations lay the internet connection as the radio waves to and from the satellites that are most likely in Earth orbit. The satellite is way slower with download speeds as well as upload speeds. However, they are a good option if you are in a remote region.
Most of the ISPs provide a combination of the above services.
How to select an ISP for a prudent broadband connection?
You must select ISP for a prudent broadband connection by checking the following parameters –
∙ Coverage region
When selecting an internet service provider you must ensure that the ISP company provides good service in your locality.
∙ Kinds of services provided
In addition to the fibre, cable, satellite, or DSL, your internet service provider should offer online security, hosting for sites, free email accessibility, mesh WIFI and more. Ensure that the internet service providers match your needs.
∙ Upload and download speed
Another very important parameter that you must check before choosing an ISP is the speed they offer. For instance, you need at least 25 MBPS of bandwidth to stream a 4k video.
