IGCSE Computer Science 0478: The Role of an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

The Ahmed family are moving into a new flat. Before anyone in the flat can use the internet, they sign a monthly contract with "Northgate Broadband", an internet service provider (ISP).

(a) State what is meant by the term "internet service provider (ISP)". [1]

(b) Identify two services, other than providing a connection to the internet, that an ISP such as Northgate Broadband might typically also provide to the family. [2]

(c) The family's laptop and router are both working correctly, but they cannot load any websites until the contract with Northgate Broadband is set up. Explain why a working laptop and router are not enough on their own. [2]

(d) State one factor, other than price, that the family could compare between different ISPs before choosing one. [1]

Part (a): What an ISP is

An internet service provider (ISP) is a company, such as Northgate Broadband here, that a household or organisation pays for a connection linking their own devices to the wider internet. Without an agreement with an ISP, a device has no route out of its own local network and onto the worldwide collection of interconnected networks that makes up the internet.

Part (b): Extra services an ISP might provide

Alongside the connection itself, ISPs commonly provide services such as: an email address, web space for hosting a personal or small business website, a router/modem to make the connection, technical support if something goes wrong, and additional security software. Any two of these would be credited.

Part (c): Why a working laptop and router are not enough

The laptop and router being fully functional only means that devices inside the flat can talk to each other over their own local network. Reaching a website hosted anywhere else in the world requires that local network to be physically linked into the wider internet, and it is exactly this link that the ISP provides once the contract is set up. Until then, there is no route for data to leave the flat’s network and travel to, or arrive from, a web server elsewhere, so no websites can be reached regardless of how well the laptop and router themselves are working.

Part (d): Comparing ISPs

Besides price, families comparing ISPs might look at the connection speed offered, how reliable the service is (how often it disconnects), the data allowance included each month, or the length of contract they are committing to. Any one reasonable comparison point would be credited.

Final answers

(a) A company paid, usually by contract/subscription, to provide a connection to the internet.
(b) Any two of: email address, web space, router/modem, technical support, security software.
(c) The laptop and router only connect devices within the flat’s own network; only the ISP’s connection links that network into the wider internet so websites can be reached.
(d) Any one of: connection speed, reliability, data allowance, contract length.