What is an "Internet service provider" (ISP)?

What is an "Internet service provider" (ISP)?

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An Internet service provider is the backbone of what really allows you to get on the World Wide Web. This is the company or service that you choose to provide you with that data backbone to the outside world. It can be as simple as having a dial-up connection through your phone company or through Earthlink. Or hopefully, and if you're watching this, it's probably the case that you have some kind of broadband service provider, somebody that you're paying to provide you with DSL or cable Internet on a monthly basis. This is really your data connection to the outside world.