How does the internet physically work?
Data travels as light through fiber optic cables and as radio waves over wireless links. Submarine cables connect continents, long-haul fiber connects cities, data centers store and process the data, and local networks carry it the final stretch to homes and businesses.
What is the internet backbone?
The backbone is the set of high-capacity, long-haul fiber routes that link major cities and internet exchange points. Regional and local networks connect to it to reach the rest of the world.
Do satellites replace fiber?
No. Satellites extend coverage to places cable cannot reach economically, but every satellite link still lands at a ground station that connects to fiber. Space and ground operate as one network.
What does a data center do?
A data center houses the servers, storage, and network equipment that run websites, apps, cloud services, and AI models. Fiber brings traffic in, computers do the work, and the result goes back out over the same network.
What is the last mile?
The last mile is the final segment of the network between a local hub and the customer, delivered by fiber to the home, cable, fixed wireless, or mobile networks. It is often the most expensive part of a network to build per customer.