provider

A provider is a term used synonymously with Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Internet Access Provider (IAP). It is used to refer to an organization that provides connectivity options and access to the Internet. Providers can be national, regional or local.

URLs:

Internet Service Provider Directory

Provides a search engine to look for ISPs via location or name.

Internet Service Provider Association

ISP Association information

Internet Access FAQ

Detailed paper on how to become an ISP

How to Obtain Internet Connectivity

An overview on how to get connected to and gain access to the Internet

INTERNET PROVIDERS BY NERD WORLD MEDIA

Alphabetical list of tons of providers with links to their respective sites.

The List

Listing of service providing with search capabilities by network, country, state, area code and more.

Print Resources:

• Internet Access Essentials. Ed Tittel and Margaret Robbins. Academic Press. Boston, MA. 1995. (ISBN 0-12-691393-5)
• World Wide Web Unleashed, Second Edition. John December and Neil Randall. Sams.net. Indianapolis. 1995. (ISBN 0-672-30737-5)

W3E References:

service provider

CompuServe

AOL

Detail:

Most users from home will establish an account with a local provider whereby they will pay a flat monthly fee for X number of hours. Users then would call a local number to gain access to the provider's communications link to the Internet. Services can range from e-mail to Web access. Typical price ranges are from $10/month to $50/month and include SLIP/PPP access as well as client software like Gopher, FTP and e-mail.

Many on-line services like CompuServe, America On-Line and Prodigy also offer connectivity to the Internet as a service. Some, like Prodigy, only offer e-mail exchange, while others like CompuServe permit Web access. These services typically cost more than a local service provider, but add extras to make it worth while if you have the pocket change.