In the age of connectivity and information, Internet access has become a fundamental need for most people. Whether we’re browsing the web, streaming media, or video conferencing, all of this wouldn’t be possible without an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
An ISP is a company or entity that provides Internet access through different technologies, such as telephone lines, fiber optics, coaxial cable, or radio signals. ISPs offer different plans and connection speeds, and may vary based on geographic location and the infrastructure available in each region.
In addition to Internet access, ISPs also offer other related services such as web hosting, email, domain registration, and security services. In summary, ISPs are the intermediaries that make it possible for us to connect to the Internet and enjoy all the possibilities that this technology offers.
In this article, we will further explore what an ISP is, how they work, and what are the different technologies they use to provide internet access. We’ll also discuss some of the challenges facing ISPs today, such as government regulation and competition from new market entrants. Let’s get started!
All about ISPs (Internet Service Providers)
Browse the web, make phone calls (Voice over IP), exchange emails, watch videos through TV or a streaming website.
These are all things that require a good internet connection to work perfectly.
In several countries, this connection is most often provided by internet service providers. But what is a FAI?
What is an ISP?
ISP is the abbreviation of «Internet Service Providers«, ISPs provide Internet connection to their users using specific technologies. This Internet connection can be limited and/or unlimited and calibrated according to the needs and financial capabilities of the end user.
ISPs in a practical way
An internet service provider (ISP) is a service or organization (usually for a fee) that provides an Internet connection to third parties. In other words, the term ISP refers to all companies that offer consumers a connection to the Internet, allowing them to join the network.
Why use an FAI?
The Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a key intermediary with large servers connected to dedicated lines. In doing so, allows its subscribers to enjoy a connection to the network, usually unlimited with certain bonus options. However, unless you have a dedicated line, you will not be able to connect to the Internet.
Is necessary to subscribe to one of the many French Internet service providers to access the Internet.
Afterwards, you will have to consult your Internet service provider for everything related to the management of your Internet connection and if you have subscribed to a mobile phone offer at the same time, you will have to consult your Internet service provider. Internet for everything related to your mobile phone (SIM card, PUK code request, etc…).
ISP Comparison
Today, there are more than fifteen Internet service providers in France.
Major French Internet Service Providers and Alternative Internet Service Providers
Internet service providers are of two types. The major internet service providers are Free, SFR, Orange, Bouygues and the alternatives, which are mostly associative operators.
Examples: Scani (Société Coopérative d’Aménagement Numérique Icaunaise, of the that my brother-in-law has spoken to me a lot and that he provides quality Internet access in the white areas of the Yonne) and, more generally, the members of the FDN federation (Fédération des Fournisseurs d’Accès Internet Associatifs).
Orange(before French Telecom), currently has the largest number of Internet subscribers. The connection box is Livebox.Free, subsidiary of Grupo Illiade, ranks second in terms of number of subscribers. It is the leader in new offerings and functionality. The junction box is Freebox.SFR acquired countable and new (former Internet Service Providers) and came in third in the subscriber rankings.Bouygues it ranks fourth among subscribers and is one of the first to add the mobile package to its list of services. The junction box is bbox.
Each of these Internet Service Providers provides you with a box (Livebox, Freebox, bbox) that allows you to connect to the Internetenjoy an unlimited fixed line and digital television (the triple play offer). In addition to this triple-play offer, there is also a mobile package that allows you to use your smartphone on the Internet. This is known as the offer of quad game.
However, if all Internet service providers provide these basic services, what is the difference between them and autres ?
Differences between Internet service providers in France
While most Internet service providers offer similar basic services, they differ specifically in the number of services offered and in quality of service (QoS).
Furthermore, it is all these criteria that will differentiate Internet service providers. Therefore, the main ones are the following:
Coverage: some internet service providers only offer local coverage of the main cities, while others offer national coverage;Bandwidth: corresponds to the total bandwidth offered by an ISP and is divided by the number of subscribers. The more subscribers there are, the more the bandwidth assigned to each decreases;the price: depends on the ISP and the type of subscription chosen. However, some Internet service providers offer free access;unlimited access: Some ISPs offer a formula in which connection time is counted. This means that you have a specific number of hours of connectivity per month;technical service: represented by the customer service or hotline, it is in charge of providing the after-sales service and, more generally, responding to the concerns of the subscribers. Most of the time, Internet Service Providers charge for this type of service (by the minute). The competence and availability of technical and customer support services vary greatly from one Internet service provider to another. Therefore, pay close attention to this criteria when choosing your ISP.auxiliary services: the number of email addresses (with their consultation by email software or by webmail), the space available for the creation of personal web pages (HTML) or for file storage (cloud computing), etc…
The various formulas offered by Internet service providers
The subscription formulas and models offered by Internet service providers are increasingly varied.
Paid subscription with unlimited access: it is the formula that is traditionally offered in France (the situation is different in the United States or Japan, for example). As you will have understood, it consists of paying a fixed fee each month, which allows them to connect as many times as they want or need during this period.The paid subscription with limited access: this type of formula has the same characteristics as the previous one, with the difference that the subscription is less expensive and the number of connection hours is limited. This was the most widespread formula in France at the end of the 90s.Internet access without subscription: far from being free, this offer allows you to connect occasionally by paying for access through a much higher cost of communication per minute. It is a formula adapted to those who only rarely connect to the Internet.ISPs free: Thanks to advertising, ISPs are able to offer you such a service. As soon as your connection is functional, you will see advertising banners on your screens. This offer is quite advantageous because the inconvenience caused by this type of advertising is relatively minimal.
The different technologies deployed by Internet service providers
To ensure a smooth Internet connection, allowing you to load web pages quickly, download media in an instant, and watch live video online, Internet service providers use a variety of technologies.
Below are some of the most common and effective technologies.
ADSL/VDSL internet offers
ADSL and VDSL are high speed connections.
dsl (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) refers to broadband Internet. Deployed practically throughout France, it is a digital communication technique that allows digital data to be transmitted over the copper wires of telephone lines, regardless of the telephone service. It allows you to take advantage of speeds of up to 30 megabits, giving you the ability to browse and download content very easily on the web.VDSL (Very High Bit Rate Digital Subscriber Line) either VDSL 2 They are technologies very similar to ADSL. Internet speeds are equivalent to and/or better than ADSL. VDSL allows a connection of up to 55 Mb/s. However, this speed can only be achieved if the home is less than a kilometer from the Subscriber Connection Node (SCN).
Optical fiber
Fiber, an emblematic technology of broadband Internet wideis made accessible to millions of households in France thanks to service providers Internet.
fiber optic refers to a new fixed network based on a very thin physical medium used for very high-speed Internet Protocol (IP) data transmission.
Similarly, fiber optics have a core within which light bounces, thus being trapped in the cable.
In doing so, the data, corresponding to very short pulses of light, is conditioned to be transmitted at the speed of light. To date, it has used fiber optics to transmit data over the Internet up to 1 Giga, or 1,000 Megas.
Thus, it multiplies by 100 the performance of a conventional ADSL network. In the future, speeds of up to several terabytes could be expected. Having a speed of up to 1 Gig allows you to considerably improve the various uses of the Internet.
3G or 4G mobile internet offers
Today’s mobile phones are true handheld computers. It makes sense that they can connect to the Internet through the mobile phone network.
Internet service providers also offer mobile Internet services. There is also talk of broadband since we are talking about 3G (third generation) and 4G (Fourth generation).
Therefore, to enjoy a good connection to the Internet, it is necessary to subscribe to a mobile internet compatible package and have a smartphone capable of connecting to the…