Depending on your requirement and your budget ISPs can provide internet connectivity through different types. An ISP can provide dial-up access, broadband, cable, DSL and other types of access. In addition to internet access, ISPs may provide other services as well like web hosting, data centre services and email solutions.
Different ISPs offer different deals. Individuals and companies should do a little research of the ISPs around the locality before choosing one, especially the terms and conditions they offer. Some of the important points to be considered while choosing an ISP are call connection cost, whether cost is based on downloads and uploads, reliability of the service, whether there is an online usage check facility, technical support facilities, security of the network and safety of the information.
Top 10 ISP's in the US are:
1) America Online
2) Comcast (cable broadband)
3) SBC (AT&T) (DSL only)
4) Verizon (DSL only)
5) Road Runner (cable broadband)
6) EarthLink (DSL, dialup, cable, satellite, PLC, and web hosting-SK EarthLink and some other business lines not included)
7) BellSouth (DSL only)
8) Cox (cable broadband)
9) United Online (counting paid dialup only)
10) Charter (cable broadband)
Top 10 ISP's in the UK are:
1) Freeserve (2 million active)
2) World Online 1.4 million
3) AOL multiple brands 1.2 million (est.)
4) LineOne 1.1 million
5) Virgin Net 500,000
6) Genie 450,000
7) BT Click 440,000
8) BT Internet 425,000
9) Claranet 350,000
10) Thus 246,000