The Internet was meant to be free, open, and independent, yet it has become one of the most centralized systems in modern history.
What happened?
In the 1970s, the Internet was a small, decentralized network of computers. The personal computer revolution expanded on this foundation, powering optimism about a digital future. Visionary John Perry Barlow captured this spirit in his 1996 manifesto, A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace. Barlow envisioned a chaotic yet free digital online paradise, where “netizens” governed themselves, free from old institutions. “On behalf of the future, I ask you of the past to leave us alone,” he declared. “You are not welcome among us. You have no sovereignty where we gather.”
But today’s Internet is far from that vision. A handful of companies with influence now dominate online communication. For instance, Google alone handles 25% of North America’s web traffic. A single outage once disrupted 40% of global web traffic.
This centralization was predicted early on. In 1967, Internet pioneer Paul Baran foresaw a world where computing worked like electricity, controlled by a few powerful providers. Today, we see this in the likes of Amazon, Google, and other cloud-computing firms. As Baran said, they offer convenience, but at the cost of our privacy.
Users often trade their data for access. They agree to terms that let companies share their information without realizing it. In the U.S., weak privacy laws allow law enforcement to access private data, like phone locations and old emails, without a warrant. Although, companies like Google and Microsoft improved encryption and pushed for transparency, skepticism remains. The U.S. government has strong ties with tech firms and can even weaken encryption standards to keep access.
Despite calls for reform, the fight for digital privacy and a truly decentralized internet continues. The good news? Spacecoin is on a mission to fully decentralize the internet’s infrastructure. But how?
In this piece, I will:
- Explore the Internet’s Evolution from its early decentralized vision to the current centralized structure.
- Introduce Spacecoin’s Mission to restore the decentralized roots of the internet.
- Explain Why Decentralizing the Internet’s Infrastructure Matters.
- Analyze the Challenges Spacecoin Faces.
- Paint the Vision of a Decentralized Internet Infrastructure.
The Three Phases of the Internet- A Brief History
To fully grasp the significance of Spacecoin’s mission, we need to examine how the internet has evolved starting as an open, decentralized network, gradually falling into the grip of centralization, and now moving toward a new era of digital freedom.
Web 1.0: The Early (Read Only) Days
In August 1991, the Internet became publicly accessible. This marked the beginning of the Web 1.0 era. It featured static websites, with few interactive options like forums or social media. The main focus was on sharing information, acting like a global telephone directory.
One of Web 1.0’s defining traits was its peer-to-peer nature. Users created and shared content independently, hosting their websites or participating in message boards. There was no need to sign up for centralized platforms, anyone could publish what they wanted, whenever they wanted, without gatekeepers.
This era was often described as the “Wild West” of the internet, an open, unregulated space with minimal corporate influence. Without dominant tech companies or complex algorithms controlling content distribution, Web 1.0 was, in many ways, more decentralized than the internet of today. While it lacked the advanced blockchain-driven decentralization we now associate with Web 3.0, its freedom and openness set the foundation for the Internet’s evolution.
Web 2.0: The Current De Facto Internet
The term Web 1.0 wasn’t out of the picture until after Darci DiNucci coined the term “Web 2.0” in 1999. This era, which gained traction around 2004, marked a shift from static websites to a more interactive and user-driven internet. Unlike Web 1.0, where users had to create personal websites to share content, Web 2.0 introduced platforms that simplified content creation. Social media, blogs, and video-sharing sites made it easy for anyone to post text, photos, videos, and music.
Web 2.0 was defined by user-generated content, bringing greater engagement and connectivity. However, this shift also led to increasing centralization. A handful of tech giants such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube now dominate the digital landscape, transforming the internet into a collection of “Gated gardens.” Users must register on centralized platforms to participate, giving companies full control over content distribution, algorithms, and even design changes, often without user input.
Beyond social interaction, Web 2.0’s infrastructure is also controlled by a few major players. As of Q3 2019, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure held a combined 58% of the public cloud market, limiting options for developers and raising costs. This centralization also introduces conflicts of interest. AWS, for instance, hosts major websites like Netflix, yet competes with it through Amazon Prime Video, raising concerns about potential throttling and unfair advantages.
For everyday users, internet service providers (ISPs) further contribute to this concentration of power. Many ISPs operate as monopolies, charging high fees, tracking user activity, and even selling personal data often with little transparency or accountability. These issues highlight the growing need for a decentralized alternative, setting the stage for Web 3.0.
Web 3.0: The Push for Decentralization
The concept of Web 3.0 dates back to 2006 when John Markoff of The New York Times first coined the term. Unlike previous internet phases, Web 3.0 isn’t marked by a clear starting point but rather by a gradual shift toward an “intelligent Web.” While some of its foundational technologies such as natural language search, machine learning, and AI are actively evolving, full adoption remains a work in progress. For now, Web 2.0 still dominates.
Web 3.0 is about decentralization. It promotes open technologies, distributed computing, and self-sovereign identity, aiming to return control of the internet to users rather than corporations. Some trace its emergence to Bitcoin’s 2009 introduction of Proof of Work, while others point to key milestones like the launch of IPFS in 2015 or the rise of decentralized applications (dApps) between 2016 and 2017.
However, despite its ambitions, true decentralization is still far from reality. Many so-called “decentralized” applications continue to rely on centralized servers. Even Ethereum, the second-largest blockchain in the world has nodes running on cloud providers, with approximately 25% hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This reliance raises questions about whether Web 3.0 has truly broken free from the centralized infrastructure of its predecessors.
So, how do we fully escape traditional infrastructure? That is where Spacecoin comes in.
Spacecoin’s Role in Decentralizing the Internet Beyond Earth
💬 “Decentralization isn’t just about money; it’s about information, access, and autonomy. Spacecoin is building the future where the internet belongs to the people, not corporations or governments.” — Spacecoin Core Team.
Spacecoin’s mission is to ‘Connect the Unconnected’ by building a decentralized global internet. The project envisions a network of nanosatellites orbiting the Earth to provide 5G internet connectivity, especially targeting regions that are currently underserved. By leveraging blockchain technology, Spacecoin aims to ensure that this network operates without reliance on centralized authorities, thereby enhancing accessibility and freedom online.
You may ask, can the Internet truly be decentralized again? Can today’s internet reset and return to its decentralized roots? The answer is yes, but not without challenges. Restoring decentralization means shifting control back to users through blockchain, peer-to-peer networks, and protocols like IPFS and Nostr. The momentum is already building, with innovations in decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3 technologies. If developers prioritize scalability, user-friendliness, and strong incentives, the internet could once again become open, permissionless, and user-controlled.
But decentralization doesn’t stop at terrestrial networks. A much larger shift is on the horizon: Satellite-based communication.
The idea of space-based/satellite communication isn’t new. In the 1990s, Teledesic and Iridium attempted satellite internet, but costs and technological limitations led to failure. More recently, Starlink proves global satellite internet is viable, but it remains centralized, vulnerable to government control, and reliant on a single corporate entity. If satellite-based networks embrace decentralized governance, blockchain integration, and open-access protocols, they could break the grip of centralized ISPs and create what will be called a ”truly unstoppable decentralized internet.”
Will Spaceoin’s satellite-based idea be efficient enough to decentralize the internet’s infrastructure? I found an interesting video that will answer this question. ⬇
The Mechanics of a Satellite-Based Internet: How Spacecoin works
Spacecoin will change the internet infrastructure by launching a decentralized network of low Earth orbit (LEO) nanosatellites with 5G non-terrestrial network (5GNTN) capabilities. These satellites will allow users to connect directly to the internet through their mobile devices, without needing traditional ground-based systems.
By removing centralized ISPs, Spacecoin offers a censorship-resistant and tamper-proof internet. Each satellite acts as an independent node, providing redundancy and resilience. Users pay for bandwidth using Spacecoin’s cryptocurrency, ensuring transactions are secure, transparent, and decentralized. Community-run ground stations support this model, minimizing reliance on big telecom companies and spreading control across a global network.
Security and scalability are central to Spacecoin’s design. Its dual layer blockchain enhances efficiency while protecting data integrity. The Celestial Chain (Layer 1) acts as an unchangeable ledger in space, recording all completed transactions and keeping data safe even if terrestrial systems fail. The Uncelestial Network (Layer 2) functions on Earth, offering fast processing for daily transactions before linking them to the Celestial Chain for finalization. This setup not only provides security but also ensures quick, low-latency connectivity.
Spacecoin does more than create an open and decentralized internet, it also builds a future space economy. Its structure guarantees reliable global access. With blockchain and satellite technology, Spacecoin isn’t just changing internet access but establishing the groundwork for a truly borderless and decentralized digital future.
Why does decentralizing the Internet’s Infrastructure matter anyway?
The internet has become the backbone of modern society, driving communication, finance, education, and innovation. However, the infrastructure that supports it is far from neutral or equally accessible. It is controlled by centralized ISPs, undersea cables, and cloud data centers owned by corporations like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. These systems are vulnerable to outages, surveillance, and government interference. We need a solution to combat spreading issues, like in the aspect of:
Fighting Censorship
Governments and corporations have the power to control what people see online. They block websites, throttle content, or even shut off access entirely. This isn’t just theoretical, it’s already happening:
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China has blocked Google, Wikipedia, and Twitter at various times.
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Russia can isolate its internet (Runet) from the global web.
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India holds the record for the most internet shutdowns, often used to suppress protests.
A decentralized infrastructure removes central points of control, making censorship far more difficult.
Expanding Internet Access
Over 2.6 billion people still lack internet access, especially in remote and underserved regions. Traditional providers focus on profit, leaving these areas disconnected. A decentralized, satellite-based network can:
- Provide global coverage, reaching deserts, oceans, and rural communities.
- Reduce reliance on local ISPs, which often operate monopolies.
- Lower costs by eliminating middlemen and enabling direct access.
By breaking down barriers to connectivity, decentralization ensures that access to information is a right, not a privilege.
Preventing Outages and Attacks
Centralized systems create single points of failure. When they go down, entire regions can be left without internet. Some notable examples:
- In 2021, a misconfiguration took down Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp worldwide.
- In 2017, Hurricane Maria wiped out 95% of Puerto Rico’s internet.
- In 2022, a cyberattack on Viasat’s satellite network disrupted communications across Europe.
A decentralized internet infrastructure, powered by blockchain and distributed satellites, would eliminate single points of failure. Instead of relying on a few critical hubs, a global, peer-to-peer network ensures that even if some nodes go offline, the system as a whole remains operational. This makes the internet more resilient against cyberattacks, state-controlled shutdowns, and natural disasters. This is why Spacecoin mission matters a lot.
Overcoming the Barriers to a Decentralized Internet
Although satellite-based, decentralized internet offers a global shift, significant challenges stand in the way. One of the biggest hurdles is public skepticism toward blockchain technology.
The Trust Issue with Blockchain:
Many people remain wary of blockchain, this new, revolutionary Internet will not exist unless we abandon our suspicions about blockchain technology and begin to investigate it with cautious optimism. People distrust blockchains and are uncertain about their regulations, which is a significant barrier.
The lack of government involvement has raised concerns about their security and reliability, especially since there is no built-in insurance. A notable example is the 2016 Ethereum DAO hack, where an attacker exploited a vulnerability to steal $60 million in cryptocurrency. The only solution at the time was to fork the entire blockchain, an extreme and time-consuming measure that further created doubts about the technology’s stability.
Yet, despite these concerns, blockchain remains one of the most promising solutions to decentralization. Instead of rejecting it outright, we must approach it with cautious optimism, learning from past mistakes while embracing its potential to transform the internet.
Regulatory Barriers:
Another major challenge for Spacecoin beyond blockchain skepticism is the regulatory hurdles. This poses a significant challenge to Spacecoin’s mission. Governments tightly control satellite communications and spectrum allocation, making it difficult for decentralized networks to operate freely.
To succeed, Spacecoin must:
- Engage with international regulatory bodies to advocate for open-access space infrastructure.
- Develop transparent policies that align with legal frameworks while maintaining decentralization.
- Educate policymakers on the benefits of a censorship-resistant, decentralized internet.
Breaking free from centralized control won’t happen overnight. But with the right approach, and User experience whereby even grandmas can navigate. Spacecoin can and will bring the world closer to a truly decentralized internet, one that is secure, open, and free from monopolistic control.
The Bigger Picture Is Beyond Internet Access
Spacecoin will be a global movement toward economic and social empowerment, not just an alternative decentralized internet provider. It’s very mission speaks about freedom, opportunity, and breaking down barriers.
By eliminating reliance on centralized providers, Spacecoin has the potential to:
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Close the Digital Divide – Bringing internet access to the 2.6 billion people still offline.
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Unlock Financial Inclusion – Enabling anyone with a satellite connection to use DeFi, send remittances, and conduct business without
banks.
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Ensure Secure, Uncensored Communication – Protecting free speech in regions were governments block or control information.
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Strengthen Disaster Response – Providing uninterrupted connectivity during emergencies, natural disasters, and conflicts.
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Advance Smart Cities & IoT – Powering autonomous, decentralized networks without dependence on corporate-controlled infrastructure.
For the first time, even the most remote villages could have the same digital opportunities as urban centers. A student in a rural area could access online education, a small business owner could engage in global e-commerce, and an activist could communicate securely without censorship threats.
Personal Thought
Will our decentralized vision be achieved? I’d say yes!
The battle for internet freedom is one of the most important of our time. Once a decentralized dream, the web has become a tool for corporate and governmental control.
For the first time, the future of the internet isn’t bound by ‘‘Earthly Restrictions’’. The revolution is no longer just digital, it’s going orbital.
