The company sees a day when any company--soapmaker, shoe marketer, airline, bank--can act as an Internet service provider (ISP). 1stUp's angle: The marketers pay 1stUp to provide the behind-the-curtain ISP service they offer, giving it away to gain an intimate, ongoing relationship with customers.

FORBES: Free For All

Europe's leading internet service provider (ISP) T-Online has surprised analysts by reporting better-than-expected profit in the third quarter, putting it on track for its first profitable year.

BBC: T-Online shines as Tiscali stumbles

Time Warner Cable, another US internet service provider (ISP) pledging to tackle piracy, says it will use pop-up warnings to deter repeat offenders.

BBC: Verizon to choke pirates' browsing speeds