(virtual PoP) A point, via which users can connect to an

Internet access provider, which is not operated by the

provider. The user is charged by the telephone company for

the call to the virtual point of presence which relays his

call via some third party circuit to the Internet provider's

central location. This is in contrast to a physical point ofpresence (PoP) which is operated by the Internet provider

themselves. The advantage of a virtual PoP is that the

provider can keep all their modems in one location, thus

improving availability and maintenance, but users do not have

to pay long-distance call charges to that point.