Internet Infrastructure: A Vital Part of Modern Business Success

It’s impossible to imagine modern life without the internet. Despite its importance, many people don’t understand how it works!

The internet is complex, but one thing is sure: it wouldn’t be possible without infrastructure like routers, satellites, and servers. Our world runs on these structures; without them, we would lose the connectivity and resources we need daily.

This article demystifies the hardware that connects our world. With this knowledge, you’ll better understand the internet and get a sense of how your startup may fit into this crucial industry.

Wired vs. wireless connectivity

In order for your computer to communicate with internet service providers (ISPs), you need to be connected to their servers. There are two kinds of connections: wired and wireless.

Wired connections

Wired connections are widely known to have higher speeds and greater security. If you live in a neighborhood and connect your computer to the wall with an ethernet cable, you are connected to your ISP via a wired connection.

Wireless connections

Wireless connections are becoming more popular as their technology advances. Wireless networks are more user-friendly and accessible. They tend to be slower and more prone to hackers, but advancements in technology are quickly closing the gap!

There are several companies at the forefront of wireless connectivity innovation, M.gear being one of them. M.gear’s focus on the transportation industry is paving the way for more reliable vehicle tracking, communication, and predictive maintenance. This technology can be used to improve your home computer’s wireless connection, too!

Servers

At its most basic level, a server is a computer that provides a service to other computers. For example, if you are accessing a website, your computer will send a request to that website’s server, and that server will send the website to your computer.

 It’s possible to set up a server yourself, but this isn’t cost-effective for large companies whose services are accessed by thousands of people daily. Most websites and online services need more than one server.

This is where server providers come in. Around the world, there are huge rooms with rows and rows of servers. These rooms provide servers for major companies, allowing users to enjoy fast speeds and safe, reliable connections.

The largest server room in the world

The largest server room in the world is the China Telecom Data Center in Hohhot, China. It is 10.7 million square feet, housing an incredible amount of servers.

Modems and routers

It’s likely that you’re already familiar with modems and routers. You need a modem to connect to your ISP and a router to use multiple devices wirelessly on the same network!

Modems are connected to an ISP, usually through an ethernet cable. They provide internet to your home. A router takes this signal and transmits it wirelessly to all your devices connected to the WiFi.

Personal vs. commercial routers

A simple router may be all you need for your home network. However, businesses often need more powerful routers with features like: 

• Faster speeds
• Ability to connect more devices
• Advanced security
• Support for virtual private networks
• Data encryption

Satellites

According to Statista, 66.2% of the world had internet access as of January 2024. One reason for the lack of worldwide internet coverage is the cost of cable infrastructure.

Most internet providers use fiber-optic cables to connect your computer to your ISP. However, in areas where laying cables is either not possible or too expensive, such as small rural towns or remote locations, satellites can be used to provide internet instead.

Benefits of satellite internet

Satellite internet has several benefits:

• Availability: No matter how remote their location is, anyone on Earth can connect to a satellite!
• Natural disasters: Satellite internet is often still available even after natural disasters, whereas events like earthquakes and hurricanes can easily disrupt cable internet.

Drawbacks of satellite internet

However, there are also drawbacks to satellite internet:

• Slower speeds: It takes longer for data to travel from your computer through a satellite connection than through a cable, resulting in slower speeds.
• Low reliability: Unfortunately, any weather that obstructs your view of the sky can affect your satellite internet.
• Data restrictions: Most satellite service providers restrict the amount of monthly data you can use.
• Expensive: Satellite internet is more costly than its wired counterpart, especially if you want comparable speeds.

Overall, satellite internet is best for customers who don’t have access to wired connections.

The value of understanding internet hardware

The modern business landscape relies heavily on the internet—from promotion to record-keeping and daily tasks, entrepreneurship is nearly impossible without it.

By knowing about the infrastructure that powers the internet, startup owners can cater their new business to a broader customer base or strengthen their own internet connections. It’s a valuable topic to be an expert on!