Thursday, 29 October 2009
By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk
The internet has turned 40 today, going from a US military creation to the everyday essential it has become.
On 29 October 1969, the first message was sent over ARPANET, the first ever operational packet switching network - developed by the US military during the Cold War and widely regarded as the precursor to the internet.
Today the internet has become an everyday essential, with over 100 million websites, 1.5 billion people online and more than 300 million active users on Facebook alone.
As well as becoming the ultimate in communications technology, the internet has also changed the way we do business, the way we shop and the way we socialise.
Richard Holway, ICT analyst at TechMarketView, predicted: “The internet will be available cheaply on every part of the planet - notspots will be a thing of the past.”
Michael Phillips, Broadbandchoices.co.uk product director, added "“As well as helping you keep in touch with friends, family and business contacts across the world, the internet is also an amazing learning resource and can even save you money. By comparing bills online and searching for the best deals on everything from groceries to entertainment, you can save hundreds of pounds every year.”
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