Point of presence

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).

[1] A PoP typically houses servers, routers, network switches, multiplexers, and other network interface equipment, and is typically located in a data center.

PoPs are often located at Internet exchange points and colocation centres.

[2] 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).