In a nutshell, the “Internet” is actually a mix of fibre optic cables, copper wires, wireless networks, and satellites that all intercommunicate with each other using the Internet Protocol (IP). These different parts are used for different purposes.
Wireless is used for mobile devices, home networks, etc., while wired connections are common when speed is of utmost importance, so things like enterprise networks, servers, that sort of thing uses wires and cables. Fibre optic cables uses light to transmit data while copper wires use the flow of electrons (electricity) to do so, the former is faster but more expensive while the latter is more affordable. Finally, satellites are used when neither is available, and typically used when you are somewhere remote, or when normal connection methods are disrupted. In Ukraine, soldiers use satellites to communicate due to the disruption of mobile networks from the war.
sbeak@sopuli.xyz 1 week ago
The cables under the sea are used to connect the networks across seas and oceans, allowing people on both sides to communicate with one another. A normal wireless connection can’t work at these distances without the use of a very large (and expensive) receiver, so undersea cables are used to do so. Disruptions of these cables (by both natural and human actors) have caused concern for a lot of people as they are critical for communication across the world.