The networking utility
Michael K. McCandless · IEEE Expert · 1997
The upcoming high-performance network promises to do much more than merely load our bookmarked Web pages faster. It will enable new services that will fundamentally simplify our interactions with computers and people. Its pricing and performance will allow us to forget its presence as it takes its place as just another home utility, such as gas and electricity. As currency allowed the explosive specialization of capitalism, the network will enable the information age's diverse services. Although this network seems like a distant reality, many steps have already been taken towards its implementation. The paper discusses the network's performance characteristics, information services and cost.