What is an ISP (Internet Service Provider)?

An Internet service provider is an organisation or company that provides internet access through a service.

What is an ISP (internet service provider)?

An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company that connects your home or business to the internet. They connect you to the infrastructure, network, and services that allow your devices to send and receive data online. Without an ISP, you would not be able to browse websites, stream video, send emails, or use online services. 

Your ISP is the link between you and the wider internet. When you type a website address, stream a film, or make a video call, your data travels through your ISP’s network before reaching its destination.

What does ISP stand for?

ISP stands for Internet service provider.

What does an ISP actually do?

An ISP is responsible for: 

• Connecting your property to the internet 
• Connecting you to the network that carries your data 
• Managing speed, reliability, and security
• Providing customer support and fault repair 

In simple terms, an ISP makes sure your internet connection works consistently, and you stay online. Your ISP is also there to assist if things do go wrong.

What type of internet connections do ISPs provide?

ISPs can connect you using different technologies, depending on what is available in your area.

FTTP 

Fibre to the premises (FTTP), also known as full fibre, uses fibre optic cable all the way into your home or business. It offers the highest speeds, the best reliability, and does not rely on phone lines.

Fixed wireless broadband

Fixed wireless uses radio signals sent from a local mast to a receiver installed at your property. Fixed wireless access can achieve faster speeds than satellite broadband, while offering similar coverage in remote areas.

4G home broadband

Mobile internet uses 4G (and in some areas, 5G) mobile networks to deliver broadband to your home. This is ideal for areas without traditional fixed-line broadband options. It offers flexibility, allowing you to get online through a mobile hotspot or a fixed home setup, although it may offer slower speeds compared to fibre.

FTTC 

Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) uses a duo of cables. Fibre optic cables are used to connect the cabinet to the exchange, and copper cables are used for the connection from the cabinet to your property. Although it’s not as quick as full fibre, the part fibre connection still offers you faster broadband speeds than traditional connections.

At Airband, we offer both fixed wireless and fibre broadband solutions, so there is more than one way to get connected with us. You can find out if you’re in range right now by using our broadband coverage checker.

Satellite Broadband 

Satellite broadband uses radio signals sent to and from satellites in space. It can provide coverage in remote areas but usually has higher latency (delay) because the signal has to travel a long distance.

DSL/ADSL 

DSL (including ADSL) uses copper telephone lines to carry internet data. It is faster than old dial-up connections but much slower and less reliable than modern fibre services.

How do I find my ISP provider?

If you already have broadband, your ISP is the company that sends you the bill and provides your router or modem. If you are looking to switch or move, you can use online broadband checkers to see which ISPs and connection types are available at your address. Different ISPs may offer different speeds and technologies in the same area, so availability and performance can vary.

Why not try out our broadband coverage checker and see if you’re in range to access our internet services for an ultrafast connection?

Who is the largest Internet service provider?

There are a range of smaller and larger ISPs, but as of 2025 the largest ones in the UK by subscriber size are:

1. BT (including PlusNet and EE) – approx. 9,300,000 users
2. Sky Broadband – approx. 6,700,000 users
3. Virgin Media (inc. 02) – approx. 5,631,000 users
4. TalkTalk – approx. 4,200,000 users
5. Vodafone UK – approx. 1,158,000 users

There are also a variety of independent internet service providers, such as Airband, who build their own alternative ultrafast fibre networks.

But what is fibre broadband? Learn here.

Which Internet connection type is best?

FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises) is the fastest available home broadband, achieving speeds of up to 1 Gigabit a second. Upload speeds can even go as high as the download speeds too. Plus, with a fibre connection, you won’t need a phone line.

Find out the more detailed answer to the popular question: do you need a phone line to get broadband?

Use our broadband coverage checker to find out if we can provide you a superfast fibre connection.

You might also be interested in some of these articles, from the team at Airband, a rural broadband provider in the UK.

• What is the difference between FTTC and FTTP?
• What’s the difference between broadband and Wi-Fi?
• How much broadband do I need?