Internet access

<p>Internet access is a facility or service that provides connectivity for a computer, a <a href="/facts/Computer_network/3w5RM99p">computer network</a>, or other network device to the <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">Internet</a>, and for individuals or organizations to access or use applications such as <a href="/facts/Email/6pD9GLtI">email</a> and the <a href="/facts/World_Wide_Web/wvnTrWFq">World Wide Web</a>. Internet access is offered for sale by an international hierarchy of <a href="/facts/Internet_service_provider/dUacAxef">Internet service providers</a> (ISPs) using various networking technologies. At the retail level, many organizations, including municipal entities, also provide cost-free access to the general public. Types of connections range from <a href="/facts/Fixed-line/11RD6Nff">fixed-line</a> cable (such as <a href="/facts/DSL/3pY5osov">DSL</a> and <a href="/facts/Fiber_optic/5ruuIFbj">fiber optic</a>) to <a href="/facts/Mobile_broadband/M8oNk7uq">mobile</a> (via <a href="/facts/Cellular_network/8zA0jQJ9">cellular</a>) and <a href="/facts/Satellite_Internet_access/wQaMm4X3">satellite</a>.
</p><p>The availability of Internet access to the general public began with the commercialization of the early Internet in the early 1990s, and has grown with the availability of useful applications, such as the World Wide Web. In 1995, only 0.04 percent of the world's population had access, with well over half of those living in the United States  and consumer use was through <a href="/facts/Dial-up_Internet_access/gfhNU9s3">dial-up</a>. By the first decade of the 21st century, many consumers in developed nations used faster <a href="/facts/Broadband/nEn3A95N">broadband</a> technology. By 2014, 41 percent of the world's population had access, broadband was almost ubiquitous worldwide, and global average connection speeds exceeded one megabit per second. 
</p>

Internet access open-in-new

Internet access