A global network is any communication network which spans the entire Earth. The term, as used in this article refers in a more restricted way to bidirectional communication networks, and to technology-based networks. Early networks such as international mail and unidirectional communication networks, such as radio and television, are described elsewhere.
The first global network was established using electrical telegraphy and global span was achieved in 1899. The telephony network was the second to achieve global status, in the 1950s, and more recently, interconnected IP networks (a.k.a. the Internet, with estimated 360 million users worldwide in 2009), and the GSM mobile communication network (with over 3 billion worldwide users in 2009) form the largest global networks of all.
Setting up global networks require immense, costly and lengthy efforts lasting for decades. Ellaborate interconnections, switching and routing devices, laying out physical carriers of information, such as land and submarine cables, wireless bridges must be set in operation. In addition, international communication protocols, legislation and agreements are involved.
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Communication satellites are an important part of global networks. However, there are specific low Earth orbit (LEO) global satellite constellations, such as Iridium, Globalstar and Orbcomm, which are comprised by dozens of similar satellites which are put in orbit at regularly spaced positions and form a mesh network, sometimes sending and receiving information directly among themselves. Using VSAT technology, satellite internet access has become possible.
It is estimated that 80% of the global mobile market uses the GSM standard, present in more than 212 countries and territories. Its ubiquity makes international roaming very common between mobile phone operators, enabling subscribers to use their phones in many parts of the world. In order to achieve this, these networks must be interconnected by way of peering arrangements, and therefore the GSM network is a truly global one.
The telegraph and telex global communication networks have been phased out, so interconnection among existing global networks arise at several points, such as between the voice telephomy and digital data networks, and between these and satellite networks. Many applications also run now on several networks, such as VoIP (voice over IP). Mobile communication (voice and data) are also now intimately intertwinned, because the majority of cell phones nowadays have both voice and data (internet navigation and emailing) capabilities.
Digital global networks require huge carrying capacity in the main backbones. This is currently achievable by fiber optic cables.
The Canadian sociologist Marshall McLuhan was the first to forecast the huge impact of the matrix of global networks upon society, coining the term global village. His work, however, related to radio and television networks, which are broadcast (unidirectional) networks, thus predating the much larger impact of the internet.[1]
Global networks have revolutionized human communication several times. The first to do so was the electrical telegraph. Its impact was so large that it has been dubbed the Victorian Internet. It was expanded many times in its coverage with the advent of radiotelegraphy, and with text messaging using telex machines.
The Internet and mobile communication networks have made possible entirely new forms of social interaction, activities and organizing, thanks to its basic features such as widespread usability and access, and instant communication from any connected point to another. Thus, its social impact has been, and still is, enormous.