What is a provider? Explained in a simple and understandable way
The term "provider" is often used to refer to Internet and mobile phone providers. We explain to you exactly what a provider is. First of all: The term comes from the English and literally means roughly "supplier" or "provider".
Provider - what is it?
- A provider is generally a provider. Mostly it is the mobile phone or internet provider. This provides the end user, for example, with a telephone, internet or cell phone connection.
- Internet providers include T-Online, 1 & 1 and Vodafone, for example. The companies offer their customers services and hardware (routers) to enable access to the Internet.
What is a cellular provider?
- There are four major network operators in the German mobile network: Telekom, Vodafone, O2 and E-Plus. These provide the infrastructure over which we can make calls in Germany.
- Providers like Congstar, Aldi Talk, Fonic, Simyo, or Base do not have their own networks. These companies pay the desired partner (Vodafone, O2, Telekom or E-Plus) a certain fee in order to be able to use their networks for their own tariffs.
- As a result, these companies become providers. Mobile phone contracts are usually cheaper with these, but there are usually no additional functions such as LTE.
- You can identify the respective cell phone provider using a cell phone number.
CHIP reader survey Internet provider 2018
Tip: In our toughest network test in Germany, we put the various mobile operators to the test. A summary of the results can also be found in the following video: