We all use the word “Internet” quite often as a sort of container for everything “online”. To my surprise a very concise and good definition was adopted in 1995 by the Federal Networking Council (USA) and later adopted by Congress. Even 14 years later a very good definition.
“The Federal Networking Council (FNC) agrees that the following language reflects our definition of the term “Internet”.
- “Internet” refers to the global information system that –
- (i) is logically linked together by a globally unique address space based on the Internet Protocol (IP) or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons;
- (ii) is able to support communications using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons, and/or other IP-compatible protocols; and
- (iii) provides, uses or makes accessible, either publicly or privately, high level services layered on the communications and related infrastructure described herein.”
(hat tip Vint)













