The internet is arguably the biggest advancement in communication in the history of the world. It's an absolute given today, but the ability to get on the computer and communicate with someone in another state or country was once a novel concept. While the internet had been around long before its commercialization, the mainstream use is what led to its rapid advancement, and both consumers and businesses have never looked back since. In this article, you'll learn more about the commercialization of the internet so that you can find out where it all began.
What should you know about internet commercialization history?
The ability for two computers to communicate over a shared network was created several years before the internet became commercial. Early applications of the internet were far cruder and less user-friendly than the commercial versions that would later emerge. Commercial internet companies gained widespread use throughout the '90s and set the foundation for the way that we use the internet today. For the first time, the average person was able to get online and look up information, check e-mail, add friends to a buddy list, communicate in chat rooms and instant messages, and find games and entertainment to occupy their time. Early versions of commercial internet involved dial-up connections and monthly subscription plans. People were separated based on the platform that they used, and each platform had different features and graphical interfaces.
Once high-speed internet emerged, you no longer had to connect to the internet since it stayed on around the clock. This fragmented the importance of accessing the web through a certain software, and Internet Service Providers (ISP) instead became the companies responsible for providing the actual connection and infrastructure.
What does the future have in store for the business of internet?
Now that you know more about the history of internet commercialization, you should get an idea of what the future holds. Web 2.0 is what is used right now, and people are connecting to the internet on mobile devices and accessing social media platforms. In the future, expect the Internet of Things (IoT) to become prolific, as devices of all types will have internet-enabled purposes. With 5G internet, companies will be able to offer average speeds of 70 Mbps or greater. The evolution to 5G internet will also allow things like virtual reality (VR), autonomous vehicles, drones, and wearable technology to become more widespread.
Consider this information on internet commercialization history so that you're better educated and to use the past as clues to figure out where the future is headed.