Telenet
Telenet was one of the first commercial packet-switched networks in the United States, providing data communication services to businesses and government entities. Here's a detailed overview:
History
- Foundation: Telenet was founded in 1974 by Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN), the same company that developed the interface message processor for the ARPANET.
- Launch: It officially began operations in August 1974, making it one of the earliest public packet-switched networks outside of the academic and research environments.
- Technology: The network used packet-switching technology, which was a significant shift from the circuit-switched networks prevalent at the time. This technology allowed for more efficient use of network resources and supported multiple simultaneous data streams.
Operations
- Services: Telenet offered a range of services including X.25 protocol support for connecting to other packet-switched networks, electronic mail, remote computing, and access to databases and information services.
- Expansion: Over the years, Telenet expanded its network both nationally and internationally, providing connectivity to countries like Canada, Japan, and Europe.
- Acquisition: In 1990, Telenet was acquired by US Sprint, which integrated it into its own network infrastructure. This acquisition was part of a larger trend where traditional telecommunications companies absorbed packet-switched network providers to expand their service offerings.
Impact and Legacy
- Predecessor to Internet: Telenet played a critical role in the development of the Internet. It was one of the first networks to adopt the TCP/IP protocol suite, which is fundamental to the modern Internet.
- Commercial Model: It demonstrated that packet-switched networks could be a viable commercial venture, paving the way for future Internet service providers.
- Standardization: Telenet helped in pushing forward standards for packet-switched networks, notably contributing to the X.25 protocol's development and adoption.
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