An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company that provides you with access to the internet. When you pay for "internet service," you're paying an ISP to connect your home or business to the global internet.
What Does an ISP Do?
- Connects your home/business to the internet backbone
- Assigns you an IP address (public and sometimes private)
- Routes your traffic to and from websites and services
- Provides DNS servers to resolve domain names
- May offer email, web hosting, and other services
Types of Internet Connections
Fiber Optic
The fastest option. Uses light signals through glass fibers. Speeds up to 10 Gbps. Available from providers like AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios, Google Fiber.
Cable
Uses existing cable TV infrastructure. Speeds up to 1 Gbps. Common providers: Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox. Speed may slow during peak hours (shared bandwidth).
DSL
Uses phone lines. Speeds up to 100 Mbps. Slower than cable/fiber but widely available. Distance from the ISP's office affects speed.
Satellite
Available almost anywhere with sky visibility. Traditional satellite has high latency (600+ ms). Starlink offers lower latency (20-40 ms) with speeds up to 200 Mbps.
Fixed Wireless / 5G Home
Uses cellular towers to provide home internet. Growing option in areas without fiber/cable. Providers: T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon 5G Home.
Check what ISPs are available at your address. Many areas only have 1-2 options, which affects pricing and service quality.
What Information Does Your ISP See?
Your ISP can potentially see:
- Every website you visit (domain names)
- When you're online and how much data you use
- Your IP address and general location
- Unencrypted traffic content (rare with HTTPS)
They cannot see:
- Content of HTTPS encrypted traffic
- Your activity when using a VPN
- Specific pages on HTTPS sites (only the domain)
How to Find Your ISP
Not sure who your ISP is? There are several ways to find out:
- Check your internet bill
- Look at your router's sticker (often shows ISP name)
- Use our homepage - we show your ISP based on your IP address
- Search for your IP address in a WHOIS database
Choosing an ISP
Consider these factors when selecting an Internet Service Provider:
- Availability - What options exist at your address?
- Speed - Download and upload speeds for your needs
- Price - Monthly cost, equipment fees, installation
- Data caps - Some ISPs limit monthly data usage
- Contract - Month-to-month vs. annual commitment
- Customer service - Check reviews and ratings
- Bundling - Discounts for TV/phone packages
Major ISPs by Region
United States
- Xfinity (Comcast) - Largest cable provider
- Spectrum (Charter) - Second largest cable
- AT&T - DSL and Fiber
- Verizon Fios - Fiber in select areas
- CenturyLink/Lumen - DSL and Fiber
United Kingdom
- BT (British Telecom)
- Virgin Media
- Sky Broadband
- TalkTalk
Your ISP assigns your IP address. If you need a different IP, you can request a new one, use a VPN, or switch providers.