What is an ISP?

The main problem when it comes to understanding the internet is the jargon - everything seems to have an abbreviation. ISP simply stands for:

Internet
Service
Provider

ISPs are the companies who provide your broadband connection, whether it is mobile 3G internet, or a fixed-line home connection.

ISPs and BT

The majority of the UK’s land-line infrastructure is owned by BT. If you have phone-line internet (also known as ADSL), the provider you get it from will rent BT’s lines and telephone exchanges. They will then install their own internet providing software to give you your broadband connection. This is why you have to pay line rental to BT as well as service costs to your provider.

Independent ISPs

The only companies that are independent of this are mobile phone providers (who provide internet connections wirelessly through mobile networks) and Virgin Media, who have their own cable infrastructure (having bought it from the NTL Telewest group in 2008).

Compare our bestselling home broadband deals now, visit our mobile broadband, or check out the fastest cable packages available with BT and Virgin Media.

uSwitch Broadband lists the majority of the most popular UK ISPs for you to compare and contrast, so start your ISP comparison here!