Modern business continuity hinges on the reliability of technology.

10 Biggest IT Outages in History: Who Pulled the Plug?

Tracking internet usage is more than just counting users. It’s about understanding how digital access shapes economies, education, innovation, and equity worldwide.

Over the past four decades, the internet has transformed from a research network serving a handful of academic institutions into a critical utility connecting more than 5 billion people. What began as a niche tool in the early 1990s has become embedded in everyday life, with billions relying on it to work remotely, access healthcare, attend school, manage finances, and engage socially.

While internet access has expanded at an unprecedented rate, it hasn’t been distributed equally. Many countries and communities still face persistent barriers: unreliable infrastructure, high service costs, low digital literacy, or limited access to devices. Urban regions often enjoy gigabit speeds and competitive internet service providers (ISPs), while rural or underserved areas struggle with spotty coverage and few options.

Understanding where and how the internet is used, who’s online, on what devices, and with what connection quality, can inform everything from policy decisions and infrastructure investments to business strategies and global development goals.

An Overview of How We Got Online