point of presence

{{Short description|Type of network boundary}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}

{{Refimprove|date=July 2013}}

A point of presence (PoP) is an artificial demarcation point or network interface point between communicating entities. A common example is an ISP point of presence, the local access point that allows users to connect to the Internet with their Internet service provider (ISP).{{cite web|url=https://networkencyclopedia.com/point-of-presence-pop/|title=Definition of Point of Presence (POP) in Network Encyclopedia|website=networkencyclopedia.com |access-date=2020-01-02}} A PoP typically houses servers, routers, network switches, multiplexers, and other network interface equipment that connects an ISP to customers including OLTs (optical line terminals) for fiber internet,https://www.acsij.org/index.php/acsij/article/view/106 and is typically located in a data center. ISPs typically have multiple PoPs. PoPs are often located at Internet exchange points and colocation centres.{{cite book|last=Fernandes|first=James|title=Academic Dictionary Of Internet|year=2005|publisher=Isha Books |isbn=9788182052680 |pages=316|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f-_Y4nG_QegC&pg=PA229}}

In the US, this term became important during the court-ordered breakup of the Bell Telephone system. A point of presence was a location where a long-distance carrier (IXC) could terminate services and provide connections into a local telephone network (LATA).{{cite book|last=Freeman|first=Roger|title=Fundamentals of Telecommunications|year=2005|publisher=Wiley|isbn=978-0471710455|pages=16|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6_yQ-dEGc5wC&q=%22point+of+presence%22|doi=10.1002/0471720941.ch1}}