About our industry

ISPs come in various shapes and sizes: from an SME to an international corporation, even the smallest of these organisations is crucial for the functioning and stability of the Internet:

• Internet Access Providers provide the essential service of connecting users to the Internet and offer various types of Internet connections, including DSL, cable, fibre optic, wireless, and satellite.
• Web Hosting Providers host websites and web applications on their servers and manage server infrastructure, domain registration, and provide tools for website management. Dedicated Hosting Providers provide infrastructure which includes servers, however they do not have logical access to the server’s operating system and content. Therefore, the access they have is similar to the access mere conduits have.
• Online platforms are hosting services that, at the request of a recipient of the service, store and disseminate information to the public.
• Email Service Providers (ESPs) offer email services, managing email servers, security, and spam filtering.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) Providers enhance privacy and security by encrypting Internet traffic and allow users to browse anonymously and access geo-restricted content.
• Domain Registries and Registrars allow users to register and manage domain names (e.g., euroispa.org).
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) optimise content delivery, improve website performance and reduce latency.
• Cloud Service Providers offer Internet-based services, including storage, computing, and databases.
• Internet Exchanges are physical locations where different ISPs and networks connect and exchange data directly. This helps improve the speed, efficiency, and reliability of Internet traffic.
• Data Centres are specialised buildings or spaces that house a large number of servers which store, process, and manage data. They are like the brains of the Internet, storing and delivering the information needed.