What are Internet Service Providers? Internet Service Providers, or ISPs as they are commonly known, provide Internet access to households, businesses and organisations. Internet Service Providers saw a boom in the late 1990s as Internet usage grew widespread. Today, Internet Service Providers have become a must for any person or organization. While popular Internet Service Providers such as BT and the big cable companies cater to home customers, a business requires professional Internet Service Provider that can ensure reliability. Rapid Switch is the UK's leading ISP.

An Internet Service Provider collects a monthly or yearly fees in exchange for providing the subscriber with Internet access. An ISP might provide dial-up service, cable, DSL, or other types of Internet access. Some ISPs are local while others provide services at the national level. A national level ISP will provide access throughout most of the nation, while a local ISP will only serve subscribers in a limited geographical region. Most Internet Service Providers in the UK now provide broadband access by DSL or wireless connection. A few ISPs are now providing wireless broadband on the go through a special dongle or device that can be attached to a laptop computer. With broadband access you do not need to dial up to your ISP; it is perpetually available for access.

ISPs usually have terms of service that they require their customers to agree to. These can include provisions against hacking or cracking, downloading illegal content, copyright violations and electronic or cyber crime.