No single entity owns the entire system of the Internet. In contrast, everyone and anyone who uses the Internet has a say on its reach and quality, hence can impact on your internet experience.
1. What is Internet?
According to the definitions of Oxford Languages, the Internet is a global communication network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.
In simpler terms, the Internet is a network of networks.
The question here is, “Who owns this gigantic computer network?”
2. Who owns this gigantic Computer Network?
Having being introduced to what the Internet is, let us look further into how exactly is the Internet controlled.
The Internet is more of a concept than a tangible entity. It relies on a physical infrastructure as shown below:
The physical cables that connect these networks are spread across the seas through underwater and are not thicker than a soda can. https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computers-and-internet/xcae6f4a7ff015e7d:the-internet/xcae6f4a7ff015e7d:connecting-networks/a/physical-network-connections
Given the fact that no single entity owns the Internet entirely, you come to an understanding that the Internet is actually owned by a large number of people and organizations that own the smaller networks which make up the Internet.
If you ever wonder who controls the Internet’s structure and how it works. there are organizations that determine this. But as it was already made clear, they have no ownership towards the Internet. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2005-10-01/who-will-control-internet#:~:text=The%20Internet%20is%20different.,single%20ponytailed%20professor%20in%20California. https://blog.thedigitalmarketinginstitute.org/5-easy-proven-ways-to-increase-your-website-speed/
No government can lay claim to owning the Internet, nor can any company. The Internet is like the telephone system — no one owns the whole thing.
Hence, we can come to a conclusion that the Internet is either owned by none or everyone; everyone that owns the smaller organizational structures of the Internet.
Author: Shazra Faris
I am a determined young lady currently an intern at the International Institute of Digital Marketing. I was born and raised in Sri Lanka. I am a sports enthusiast. I aspire to be a a writer. Instagram: @theshazra | Linkedin: @shazrafaris