What is an ISP (Internet Service Provider)?

An Internet service provider is an organisation or company that provides internet access through a service.

What does ISP stand for?

ISP stands for Internet service provider.

What are the different types of ISP connections?

There a several types of ISP connections ranging from satellite to full-fibre. Let’s unpack them all:

Satellite Broadband ISP

Satellite broadband works by sending signals wirelessly to satellites in the earth’s orbit, however, satellite broadband is often associated with latency issues due to the length the signals must travel.

Fixed wireless broadband offers high-speed Internet access, using radio signals to connect you to the internet. A signal is sent from a main access point to a receiver installed at your property. Fixed wireless can achieve faster speeds than satellite broadband.

What is fixed wireless broadband? Discover more here.

DSL/ADSL ISP

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a broadband connection that uses copper telephone lines to transfer data, which provides a faster connection than internet using traditional dial-up telephone lines.

FTTC ISP

Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) uses a duo of cables. Fibre optic cables are used to connect the cabinet to the exchange, and copper cables are used for the connection from the cabinet to your premise. Although it’s not as quick as full fibre, the part fibre connection still offers you faster broadband speeds than traditional connections.

FTTP ISP

Fibre to the premises (FTTP), also known as full fibre, provides fibre broadband directly to your property so you get access to the internet that way. It’s a pure fibre connection that is delivered to your home or business directly from the exchange.

At Airband, we offer both fixed wireless and full fibre broadband solutions, so there is more than one way to get connected with us. You can find out if you’re in range right now by using our broadband coverage checker.

What’s the role of Internet Service Providers?

An ISP normally acts as the access point for users to get onto the internet. The service allows their customers to:

• Surf the web
• Streaming services
• Online shopping
• Online banking
• Keep in contact with family and friends via social networks

How do I find my ISP provider?

If you are looking for a new provider, you can use online broadband coverage checkers to see who can provide a service to your area. Different ISPs may provide internet at different speeds though. Make sure to check out what broadband speed you need.

Why not try out our broadband coverage checker and see if you’re in range to access our internet services for an ultrafast connection?

Who is the largest Internet service provider?

There are a range of smaller and larger ISPs, but the largest ones in the UK by subscriber size:

1. BT (PlusNet, EE)
2. Sky Broadband
3. Virgin Media
4. TalkTalk(on-net)
5. Vodafone UK

There are also a variety of independent internet service providers, such as Airband, who build their own alternative ultrafast fibre networks.

But what is fibre broadband? Learn here.

Which Internet connection type is best?

FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises) is the fastest available home broadband, achieving speeds of up to 1 Gigabit a second. Upload speeds can even go as high as the download speeds too. Plus, with a full fibre connection, you won’t need a phone line.

Find out the more detailed answer to the popular question: do you need a phone line to get broadband?

Use our broadband coverage checker to find out if we can provide you a superfast fibre connection.

You might also be interested in some of these articles, from the team at Airband, a rural broadband provider in the UK.

• What is the difference between FTTC and FTTP?
• What’s the difference between broadband and Wi-Fi?
• How much broadband do I need?