ISP Full Form, Meaning, and Types

It’s impossible to think of a world without the internet. Have you ever wondered who provides the internet service that allows you to browse websites and connect with others online? They are ISPs.

If you didn’t know, the ISP full form is Internet Service Provider. This provider is a business that lets you access the internet in your residence or commercial space. 

An ISP also offers different types of services and connections. Common services include domain registration, email registration, and web hosting. And as far as types of connections are concerned, they comprise DSL, cable, satellite, wireless, fibre, cellular, ISDN, etc. 

How ISP Works

An ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. This is a company that helps us connect to the internet. Just like how we need a road to travel from one place to another, the internet needs a way to reach our computer or devices. That’s where the ISP comes in.

The ISP helps us get access to the internet by providing a special service. They have big computers called servers that store lots of information and websites. When we want to visit a website, like playing games, watching videos, or doing research, our request goes through the ISP.

The ISP sends the request to the right place on the internet, and then the website or information we want comes back through the ISP to our computer or device. It’s like a middleman helping us communicate with the internet.

Types of ISP Connections

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

DSL is a type of internet connection that uses telephone lines to transmit data. It provides a reliable and high-speed internet connection through existing telephone infrastructure.

Speeds can range from 1 Mbps (megabits per second) to 100 Mbps.

Cable

Cable internet utilises coaxial cables to deliver internet access. It offers higher speeds compared to DSL and is typically shared among users in the same neighbourhood.

Cable internet speeds can range from 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps (gigabit per second) or even higher.

Satellite

Satellite internet relies on communication satellites to transmit and receive data. It is suitable for areas where terrestrial connections like DSL or cable are not available, but it can have higher latency and limited bandwidth.

Satellite internet speeds typically range from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps.

Wireless 

Wireless internet utilises radio waves to connect devices to the internet without the need for physical cables. It can be accessed through Wi-Fi routers or cellular networks (4G, 5G) and offers flexibility and mobility.

Speeds can range between 5 Mbps to 900 Mbps. 

Fibre 

Fibre internet uses fibre-optic cables to transmit data using light signals. It provides incredibly fast and reliable internet speeds, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive tasks like streaming and online gaming.

Speeds can range from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps.

Cellular 

Cellular internet connects devices to the internet using cellular networks, similar to how smartphones access the internet. It is commonly used for mobile devices and provides internet access in areas with cellular coverage.

Speeds can range up to 100 Mbps. 

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) 

ISDN is an older technology that delivers digital communication services over traditional telephone lines. It provided faster speeds compared to dial-up connections and supported voice, data, and video transmission.

Speeds range up to 128 Kbps. 

Further Reads

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet
• Difference between WWW and Internet
• WWW Full Form