— A Simple Theory by Sakshi

The internet — it's all around us. We use it every day for chatting, streaming, gaming, and even learning. But have you ever wondered how it really works?

It’s not like you just turn on your mobile data or Wi-Fi router and BAM! — the internet starts doing its job. There’s a complex theory and infrastructure behind how it all connects. Let me explain it in a simple way.

What Happens When You Connect to the Internet?

When your device (phone or computer) connects to a network, it's identified by a MAC address — a unique hardware address that helps recognize each device individually.

Here’s what happens in simple steps:

Your device connects to a switch (used in a Local Area Network - LAN).
The switch identifies your device using the MAC address.
Then it sends your request to a router.
The router forwards your request to the internet — essentially connecting you to the rest of the world.

But… How Do We Connect to Someone in Australia?

Let’s say you want to message someone in Australia. You’re in India — that’s thousands of kilometers apart. So… how does your message get there so fast?

Is it carried by wind? A pigeon? A truck? 😅
Nope.

You might think local towers like (Jio, Airtel, or BSNL) helps carry your data wirelessly — but they don’t handle long-distance travel and also there are no signal towers in the middle of the ocean, and even if there were, the signal strength would be too weak for fast, global communication.

The Secret Lies Under the Ocean

Yes, seriously — your data travels through underwater optical cables.

There are high-speed submarine cables laid on the ocean floor, connecting countries across the globe. These cables can transmit your data (text, videos,emails) across the globe in milliseconds!

So, when your message travels to Australia, it literally goes underwater — across oceans, through cables — not through satellites or airwaves.

Who Owns These Cables?

These cables aren’t public property. They are:

Owned by Tier 1 companies like AT&T, T-Systems, etc.
Rented by Tier 2 companies like BSNL, Jio, and Airtel.
And finally, used by Tier 3 providers like You Broadband or ACT to give you home access.

Don’t Believe It? See It for Yourself

If you're curious, check out the Submarine Cable Map. It shows all major undersea internet cables on the interactive world map. You’ll be amazed.

Final Thoughts: Internet Is Not Magic

So, the next time you send a message or stream a movie, remember:

Your data didn’t fly through the sky — it swam through the ocean.

The internet is not magic. It's the result of brilliant engineering — cables, switches, routers, and a whole ecosystem that connects the world at lightning speed.

And now… you understand the theory behind it.

— Sakshi Kushwaha
Follow me on thesakshistack

🌐 How Does the Internet Actually Work?