from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
ISP
/I.S.P/
Common abbreviation for Internet Service Provider, a kind of company
that barely existed before 1993. ISPs sell Internet access to the mass
market. While the big nationwide commercial BBSs with Internet access
(like America Online, CompuServe, GEnie, Netcom, etc.) are technically
ISPs, the term is usually reserved for local or regional small
providers (often run by hackers turned entrepreneurs) who resell
Internet access cheaply without themselves being information providers
or selling advertising. Compare {NSP}.