point of presence

point of presence

(PoP) A site where there exists a collection of telecommunications equipment, usually modems, digital leased lines and multi-protocol routers. An Internet access provider may operate several PoPs distributed throughout their area of operation to increase the chance that their subscribers will be able to reach one with a local telephone call. The alternative is for them to use virtual PoPs (virtual points of presence) via some third party.

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POP

(1) (Point of Presence) The point at which a line from a long distance carrier (IXC) connects to the line of the local telephone company or to the user if the local company is not involved. For dial-up access to the Internet via analog modem, the POP is the local telephone exchange that the modem dials into to log in. See Super POP.

(2) (Post Office Protocol) See POP3.

(3) Retrieve an item from a stack. See push/pop.

(4) (Package for Online Programming) See POP-1.

(5) See package on package.

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