ISP Startup Solutions Key Terms

Some key terms for savvy setup of new ISP solutions or "ISP Startups"

By J. Stoltzfus, writer/programmer LOCAL CITIZEN

An ISP startup is often an attractive option for tech-savvy people who want to take off in a new direction as entrepreneurs. But the ISP includes a lot of setup details and issues regarding how to plan good Internet services, and how to compete with other ISPs. Knowing about some of the basic key terminology for ISP startups can help, along with a detailed business plan that addresses all of the relevant aspects below.

Angel networking

Angel networking is communication between startups and investors. New startup founders use this kind of networking to solve the problem of creating startup capital, which is often an issue for a new business.
Try: See more on how angel networking works at the Houston Angel Network.

Turnkey ISP

When it comes to an ISP startup, many are contemplating the benefits of offering a "turnkey service." A turnkey service is a service that is offered "ready to go" to the customer. It could also be called a holistic service.
Try: See the definition of turnkey at WhatIs. Learn more about setting up turnkey ISP at this page from the Broadband Wireless Exchange Magazine.

Web hosting

For any business in any role relevant to an ISP startup, web hosting is important. Web hosting is when a company maintains a web service for another company. This happens so often that it can become difficult to unravel the commercial paper trail of how web hosting gets to an end user.
Try: See more on web hosting at this page from W3Schools.

Customer support

Customer support is the process of helping customers with things about the product or service sold that they may not understand. As one can imagine, this is ultra important in ISP businesses because there is such a high inherent learning curve for using the service.
Try: See tips for good customer support at 37 Signals. For a look at what ISP managers are reporting in dealing with customer support issues, take a look at this page from ISP Planet.

Facilities based competition

Facilities based competition is the conflict between different telecom or other companies where services are delivered to customers differently. This is a big deal in ISP businesses because every one of them is different, with proprietary networks and gear for offering ISP solutions to customers.
Try: See more on facilities based competition for ISP at this page from the ISP section of Webopedia.

Free ISP

The term "Free ISP" is a term for Internet service providers that offer versions of Internet access or services at nearly no cost. However, savvy consumers know that nothing is really free, and that the revenue for "free ISP" is paid through mandatory advertising.
Try: Directory sites like FreedomList offer information for businesses that want to see how free ISP companies are operating and where they are promoting their services.