To what do clients connect instead of connecting directly to the internet?

Clients connect to a network managed by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) instead of connecting directly to the internet. This is because the ISP provides the infrastructure necessary to access the internet, which includes routing and managing the data traffic between clients and the internet at large. The ISP is responsible for delivering internet service to users by connecting them to the broader global network.

While a local area network (LAN) provides connectivity within a specific local environment, such as a home or office, it does not connect directly to the internet without going through an ISP. Wireless connections can also be considered ways to access the internet but still rely on an underlying ISP network for functionality. Data centers for cloud services offer IT resources over the internet, but users typically connect to these services via their ISP, not directly. Thus, the correct answer summarizes the role of ISPs in facilitating internet connectivity for clients.