In today’s world, the Internet seems almost free. This is available only with mobile plan and Wi-Fi connection. However, this was not always the case. In fact, when the Internet first arrived, it was quite expensive, slow, and limited to a few people. From military research to the era of expensive dial-up connections in homes, the journey of the Internet has been really interesting.
birthplace of the internet
The Internet first started in the United States. Its foundation was laid in 1969 through a project named ARPANET. It was created by the US Department of Defense. Initially, it was designed to facilitate communication between research institutions and military systems—not for civilian use.
The early internet was not cheap at all
By the late 1980s and early 1990s—when the Internet began becoming accessible to the masses—the cost was prohibitive. In the United States, the average monthly subscription charge was approximately $17.50. But the expenses did not end there; Users also had to pay an extra charge of $3 to $4 per hour just to stay connected.
dial up connection
At that time, Internet access depended on dial-up connections. These connections used common phone lines. This meant that users were charged not only for Internet access, but also for phone calls. As a result, the incoming bills were very high. As far as speed goes, it was very slow; Even a typical web page took several minutes to load.
Internet penetration in India
In India, internet services for the common people were started by VSNL on August 15, 1995. However, it remained largely out of reach of the common man. A basic professional plan—which offered speeds of only 9.6 kbps—cost around ₹15,000 annually. As a result, it became more of a luxury item than a necessity.
high expenses for business
For companies and institutions, the costs were even higher. The annual cost of a 128 kbps leased line could reach Rs 30 lakh. This meant that only large organizations could afford reliable Internet access.