Internet service providers: an Indian scenario
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520010350704 |
| Pages | 322-329 |
| Published date | 01 August 2000 |
| Date | 01 August 2000 |
| Author | Siriginidi Subba Rao |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Internet service
providers: an Indian
scenario
Siriginidi Subba Rao
Introduction
The Internet is the network that facilitates
communication among allthe smaller networks
and individual computer systems that connect
to it. It is growing at an impressive rate due to
the many services it facilitates, the ease with
which services can be created, the presence of a
single standard and the global reach that makes
national boundaries invisible. With the
dramatic increase in bandwidth, decreasing
communication costs and an ever-increasing
number of organisations using it, the Internet
has ushered in a revolution.
Internet service providers
The Internet service providers (ISPs) are the
companies that sell Internet access in various
packages. Generally, when one signs up for an
account, one gets a username, password, a list
of telephone numbers that one could dial to
access the Internet and free software, such as a
browser and a basic anti-virus application.
Organisations often go in for leased lines where
they permanently connect to the Internet.
Apart from connectivity, ISPs provide value-
added services such as Web hosting, Net
solutions, virtual private networks, e-mail, voice
over Internet, etc. Factors such as local access
numbers and ease of connectivity; size and
connectivity throughout the country; customer
service, performance and connection speed;
price, etc. influence users in choosing an ISP.
Entering the ISP market
Any company entering the ISP market for
providing value-added services must ensure
that its infrastructure includes the full range
of basic functionality. The following are the
main factors to be considered.
ISP applications
The basic applications that ISPs are expected
to provide include electronic mail, network
news, WWW access and Web page hosting.
More sophisticated users may demand access
to other Internet tools, such as FTP, telnet,
gopher and archive services.
System integrity
An ISP network must have integrity against
breaches of security and failure of hardware
and software. Firewalls are needed for
The author
Siriginidi Subba Rao is Scientist and Head of
Information Technology at the Central Leather Research
Institute, Adyar, Chennai (Madras), India.
Keywords
Internet, Computer networks, Globalisation, Finance,
Legal matters, India
Abstract
An Internet service provider is examined, along with the
factors that should be considered when entering the ISP
market. The global Internet scenario is discussed
regarding the phases of the Internet in India, i.e. pre and
post commercialisation. The main players are described:
ERNET, NICNET, STPI, VSNL, MTNL, Satyam Infoway and
Bharti-BT. The financial and legal implications are
highlighted in the Indian context. Many companies
entered the nascent ISP business in India due to
deregulation. Building local content, foreknowledge of
new Internet technologies, connecting issues,
competitiveness, etc. would help in their sustainability.
Electronic access
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emerald-library.com
Refereed article received 1 April 2000
Approved for publication 30 June 2000
322
Online Information Review
Volume 24 .Number 4 .2000 .pp. 322±328
#MCB University Press .ISSN 1468-4527
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