So what IS an ISP?

[hawkeye122]

I know, I know, Internet Service Provider....


But what is it they have that allows THEM to have their own access to the internet? What is stopping me from being my own ISP?

 

[hairystig]

A lot of fibre optic cable.

 

[hawkeye122]

Can you be more specific?

 

[Grayfox]

A backbone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_backbone

 

[CrackedTrigger]

They pay alot of money for the privilage of using the broadband cables, line rental, maintenance and so on. They then charge you a load of money to cover their overheads, and make themselves loads of money of course. You wouldn't be able to afford the overheads, the cheapest way is to pay someone else who already has done all of this, ie vodafone etc.

 

[thechosenwonton]

Wow really?