New York City Internet service providers are companies that provide internet services to both residential homes and business facilities. ISP's offer a variety of services such as access to the web, e-mail accounts, web hosting and such. There is a wide range of options of quality and quantity for each of the services, which can accommodate the common residential internet user to larger multi local businesses. It is important customers carefully consider all of the factors such as cost and reliability before choosing an internet service provider. It's important that ISP's accommodate the specific unique needs of the individual customer.

Internet service providers offer the most basic internet access in the form of dial up. This method of internet access connects users to the ISP through a telephone line. The connection is established right from a user's computer which has a built in modem inside, or a separate router and modem could be used. Dial up internet access requires no infrastructure except an established telephone line. Dial up speeds are typically 56 Kbps with common 56k computer modems. Dial up internet access may require some time before signing on to the internet and the ISP may also periodically sign users off to avoid hogging of the internet lines. Dial up internet is also tentative, as it's influenced by external factors such as other wiring and networks. Due to its low cost and slow speed, dial up internet access is ideal for those looking for minimum internet activity and e-mail.

Some ISP's that provide dial up internet access in New York City are AOL, Mfire, Juno, Netzero, Earthlink and MSN. Some of these companies also provide premier or faster dial up access. These ISP's have many local access numbers for users to connect to.

There are numerous companies located in parts of New York City that offer DSL service. It's recommended that a user look for the nearest office of a DSL internet service provider, since delivery of DSL is limited to a certain distance.

Some of the Cable television companies may provide broadband internet service throughout New York City. Customers of cable TV can check with their local service provider if internet access is offered, and it will be delivered through the cable line. Some well known cable internet providers in the New York City area are Cablevision whose internet service is called Optimum Online, and Time Warner, whose internet service is called Road Runner. Verizon FiOS is also a broadband internet service that can be categorized under “cable” internet. Actually, all three companies deliver television, internet and phone services.