(access provider) a company that provides its customers with access to the Internet, typically through DSL, a cablemodem, or dial-up networking. Major service providers in the United States include Microsoft, Comcast, Earthlink, America Online, and various phone companies. Typically, the customer pays a monthly fee, and the Internet service provider supplies software that enables the customer to connect to the Internet. Some ISPs also provide file space for pages on the World Wide Web and FTP file storage.