A communications provider is defined as a service provider that transports information electronically. The term encompasses a broad range of both public and private companies in the telecom (landline and wireless), Internet, cable, satellite, and managed services businesses. Communication providers of the 21st century provide information transmission over a fiber optic network and media delivery over a content delivery network. Most communication providers can even support end-to-end communications services that businesses and carriers need.

The markets in which a communication service provider specializes can be divided into three categories: telecommunications, entertainment and media, and Internet/Web services. Some communication providers specialize in only one area, while others provide communication services across all major categories.

A telecommunciations service provider offers telephone and other similar services. TSP’s provide access to telephone and related communications services. In the past, most TSPs were government owned and operated in most countries, but now there are many private players in most regions of the world, and even most of the government owned companies have been privatized.

As communication technologies continue to expand, most communication providers offer IP and network solutions at extremely high speeds. These providers can support nationwide IP and transport networks, metro networks, broadband wireless access and connectivity to global service locations for around the world.

Communication providers allow for Next Generation Networks (News - Alert) to be interconnected with major carriers that can then offer multiple services to enterprises, and increase the efficiency, flexibility and security of their services, while reducing cost and complexity.