What is an Internet service provider?

One of the most popular services in modern society is access to the Internet. For some people, this need is on the same level as food, water and a sense of security.

Internet Service Provider are usually companies that provide Internet access in the form of a standard end-users’ connection. Also, these companies can provide hosting or colocation services.

It is accepted to divide the ISP into several categories:

• Hosting provider
  

• Backbone provider
  

• Channel provider
  

• The provider of the "last mile"
  

A hosting provider is a company that provides hosting services, such as a dedicated server, colocation or hosting on a virtual server.

A backbone provider is a company that owns equipment for high-speed data exchange, which allows for the exchange of traffic between continents or countries. The backbone provider concludes an agreement on the exchange of traffic with other backbone providers that are geographically located in another country or on another continent.

The backbone provider provides access to its equipment by channel providers and "last mile" providers.

A channel provider, being a client of one or more backbone providers, can both provide other "last mile" providers with access to traffic exchange, as well as act as the "last mile" provider.

The "last mile" provider is the provider that connects the end user to the Internet. Connecting the Internet at home or in the office is the contract with the provider of the "last mile".

It is important to understand that the same Internet provider can be a hosting provider, a channel provider and a last mile provider.