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ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. Internet Service Providers are companies that provide access to the Internet for Internet users. There are two categories of Internet Service Provider, the Access Internet Service Provider and the Hosting Internet Service Provider. Access Internet Service Providers connect Internet users directly to the Internet via wireless or fibre-optic connections, and copper wires. Hosting Internet Service Providers rent out server space for individuals or small businesses. Let us not forget Transit Internet Service Providers either! Transit ISPs offer large portions of bandwidth which enables the connection between Hosting ISPs and Access ISPs.

When the Internet first began, it was simply a closed network between universities and government research laboratories. More and more university members were given access to it as the Internet became more popular. Commercial Internet service providers sprang up shortly afterwards to offer access to the internet to those who wished to pay for such a service. The first ever commercial Internet Service Providers was the Massachusetts-based ‘The World’ Internet Service Provider. It is strange to think that it was not so long ago that this all occurred. In our modern world of countless Internet Service Providers, it is odd to think back to where they began.