The Privatization of the Internet's Backbone Network

Abstract

Scholars have neglected the privatization of the Internet's backbone network, despite the obvious significance of the U.S. government turning control of a powerful new communication technology over to the private sector. This article analyzes the transition from a government-sponsored backbone network to multiple commercially owned backbone networks. The authors also analyze the implications of the privatization on the Internet's governance, competition, and performance. This research was supported by National Science Foundation Grants ITR-0081426 and IIS-0429217. Opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.