Guide Note

The Internet is a global computer network that allows people to easily exchange information over long distances. It is made up of individual computer networks which share common network protocols in order to communicate with each other. Individual networks connect to each other using traditional telecommunication lines such as telephone lines, fiber optics, coaxial cable, satellites or other wireless networking solutions¹

Fast Facts

1. A conglomerated network of individual computer networks
2. All connected through traditional telecommunications lines
3. Standardized use of the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) allows different computers to exchange usable data
4. TCP/IP invented by Vint Cerf and Robert E. Khan
5. Over 20% of the world's population regularly accesses the Internet²
6. North America currently has the most reliable Internet connections in the world³
7. Net Neutrality is a movement to keep internet traffic unregulated
8. Former Vice-President Al Gore claimed to be instrumental in developing the Internet⁴

Although the technology began as a tool for isolated governmental and scientific facilities to share internal information,⁵ the Internet has since evolved into a global public community. It is now a powerful platform for everything from entertainment and news, to business and advertising/marketing.

Information is split into smaller pieces called packets. The size of these packets varies in size, and are pushed through routers, computers dedicated to directing packets of information.⁶ The router network then directs packet data along the fastest path between the source and destination computer. Packets are reassembled at the destination into the original information.¹