Internet Definitions

Federal Networking Council

Internet Monthly Reports, October 1995

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 --

1. is logically linked together by a globally unique address space based on the Internet Protocol (IP) or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons;
2. 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
3. provides, uses or makes accessible, either publicly or privately, high level services layered on the communications and related infrastructure described herein.

Humanities and Arts: Sharing Center Stage on the Internet:

People, computers and information electronically linked around the world by a common Protocol for communicating with each other.

General specification of Internet service, describes criteria for evaluating Internet service (Appendix)