What is an Access Provider?
An access provider refers to a company that provides Internet access to its subscribers like businesses and private customers. It is also called as IAP (Internet Access Provider). This company provides Internet connections to their customers through the use of modems (dial-up modem, DSL, wireless router, or dedicated high-speed modem).
They will charge monthly fee from customers. And customers will get username and password for Internet access. And the monthly charge is depended on the speed of connection or the volume of usage.
Using this service, customers can surf the Internet, send and receive emails, download or upload data, host a server or website, etc.
However, an access provider also rents or buys bulk Internet connection from an ISP (Internet Service Provider). An ISP refers to a large access provider that sells Internet connection. The access provider just resells the connection to the general public. Access providers and Internet service providers connect to each other through NAPs (Network Access Points).
Each access provider will offer service to their customers at different bandwidth. Bandwidth is the data transfer rate. It refers to the amount of data that can be transferred from one point to another at a measure of time, normally, measured in bytes per second.
For example, an access provider buys 30 Mb (megabytes) of bandwidth from Internet service provider and resells it in different portion size. The smaller bandwidth like 28.8 Kb (kilobytes) is for individual and small businesses that need to send and receive less data per second, using dial-up, DSL, or cable modem. The larger bandwidth, 64 Kb to 128 Kb or more are for medium to large businesses that need to send and receive large volume of data per second, using DSL, leased line, or SHDSL (Single-pair High-speed Digital Subscriber Line).
Some access providers also offer online content to their customers, beside their Internet connection. These access providers can be called, OSP (Online Service Provider). For example, they provide services such as: news, email, entertainment (music, video, and movies), e-shopping, e-banking, e-health, e-financial service and search engine.