-
1980s: the early years
The 1980s was the first decade where the internet resembled something like it does in the modern day. But it wasn’t capable of anywhere near what it is now. Reckon dial-up is old? In the early ‘80s, the internet didn’t even have that. When it first started to connect computers together, it was powered by a network called USENET. This still relied on phone modems to work, but didn’t have a lot of the technology that dial-up eventually developed to be used by the public. -
1990s: much ado about dial-up
Dial-up internet took off in the 1990s, and the first commercial internet service providers (ISPs) started offering internet connections to regular households. AOL and other web browsers’ CD-ROMs were being sold in shops, letting you use their web software. Chat rooms sprung up for people across the world to discuss shared interests, paving the way for Reddit and social media.Websites were being created to help anyone with connection to learn, shop and socialise online. -
2000s: the arrival of broadband
in the early 2000s was allowed the signal in one line to be split between telephone and internet. This meant users could be online and make phone calls at the same time. It was branded the ‘always on’ internet service. It also came with much faster connection speeds, making it a lot easier to browse the internet and download & send files. The advent of broadband networks meant that people were able to download and share pictures, songs, videos, TV shows and movies at far more convenient speeds. -
2010s: streaming, social media and speed
The 2010s saw the internet become even more essential to everyday life.
It helped the web transition from an obscure place for entertainment into a mainstream blockbuster TV and movie platform, thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It allowed anyone to create and upload their own high-quality content.
Social media became our most-visited destination outside of work and school. -
2020s: working from home, 5G and a full fibre future
Full fibre connections continued to speed up, with more alt-nets like CityFibre, Hyperoptic, KCOM and others becoming national names in the broadband space. Tied in with BT and Virgin Media’s rapidly growing networks. In addition, the rollout of 5G across urban areas not only helped supply ultrafast speeds for our smartphones, but it allowed many to choose a backup broadband option in the form of a 5G home broadband hub. -
