What is an internet provider?

Internet providers are companies who supply broadband to consumers and businesses. They are also sometimes referred to as internet service providers or ISPs.

Click on the links below to compare broadband deals:

1. Mobile Broadband
2. Home Broadband
3. Wireless Broadband
4. Broadband Bundles

A brief explanation of each type will be listed below, along with a list of internet providers associated with each.

At any point if required, you can compare internet providers.

Mobile Broadband is portable broadband for those on the go. Mobile broadband is accessed by plugging a mobile dongle/modem into the USB port of your PC or laptop. Once inserted, broadband connectivity is accessible in any area where there is mobile phone coverage.

Bearing this in mind, it is therefore not surprising that the main internet providers offering mobile broadband are:

• Vodafone - Offering both business and consumer packages, Vodafone is justifiably among the UK's most popular mobile broadband internet providers.

• 3 - With mobile broadband contract deals starting at just £10 a month, this mobile broadband internet provider offers great value for money.

• T Mobile - "Works like a dream" according to 9/10 T Mobile mobile broadband customers.

• Orange - Sleek and tasteful, Orange's mobile broadband modem makes connecting to the internet quick and easy.

• O2 - O2 is famed for its great free laptop options and keenly priced dongle offers.

Home Broadband is the most common type of broadband. Home broadband packages are offered by most internet providers.

The main internet providers offering home broadband are:

• O2 - Straightforward, easy to understand broadband packages make O2 a popular choice for those looking to sign up to broadband packages.

• BT - The best-known internet provider in the UK. BT offers great deals and excellent devices such as the HomeHub router.

• TalkTalk - Famous for excellent home phone and broadband deals, TalkTalk’s popularity has grown a great deal in the past 12 months.

• Tiscali- Like O2, Tiscali offers simple, low-cost, straightforward broadband packages and great customer service.

Wireless Broadband (also known as wi-fi) is broadband transmitted through a “router” that allows multiple users access a broadband connection wirelessly throughout the house. Many of the above internet providers supply customers with wireless routers (often for free) allowing them to go wireless. Wi-fi is great if you want to access broadband in every room in your house without the use of cables – it is especially useful for those with laptops.

Broadband Bundles are packages that offer broadband along with other utilities such as digital TV, mobile and home phones.

• BT - Great broadband, digital TV and home phone packages.

• TalkTalk - Good value international calling deals and excellent broadband service mark TalkTalk out as one of the UK's best providers.

• Tiscali - Excellent home phone and digital TV bundles at extremely competitive prices.

• Virgin Media - The only internet provider offering quad-packages i.e. packages that include broadband, digital TV, home and mobile phone in one package. Its flagship 50Mb broadband product is the fastest around.

• [Sky](/broadband/providers/sky "Sky Broadband"_ - Premium TV, including Premiership football and movies, makes Sky broadband TV packages a brilliant option for sports and film fans.