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The structure of international internet hyperlinks and bilateral bandwidth

Structure des Hyperliens de l’Internet International et Largeur de Bande Bilatérale

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Abstract

Using network analysis, this article examines the structure of the international Internet as a global communication system. The number of inter-domain hyperlinks embedded in web-sites for 47 nations were gathered using Alta Vista. Data were also obtained on the bandwidth connections among 63 nations. The results indicate that theU.s. is most central nation in the hyperlink network, followed by the Australia,U.k., China and Japan. Most peripheral are Uruguay, Luxemburg,Uae., and Thailand. A cluster analysis found a single group centered about theU.s. The analysis of the bandwidth network revealed that theU.s. is the most central nation, followed by theU.k., Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. Most peripheral are Iceland, Lithuania, and Morocco. This network had three groupings, 1) the English-speaking countries with Scandinavia, Belgium, The Netherlands, and East Asia, 2) South America, and 3) Franco-German Europe. The correlation between the two networks indicates that the physical infrastructure is an important determinant of hyperlink communication. However, it is not the only determinant, others may be cultural or linguistic. The results are discussed in terms of world system theory, the evolution of Internet and globalization.

Résumé

En utilisant l’analyse des réseaux, l’article examine la structure de l’internet international en tant que système mondial de communication. Les hyperliens interdomaines insérés dans des sites sur la toile de 47 pays ont été comptés en utilisant Alta Vista. Les données ont aussi été obtenues sur la largeur de bande des connexions entre 63 pays. Les résultats indiquent que les Etats-Unis constituent le pays le plus central du réseau d’hyperliens, suivi par l’Australie, le Royaume-Uni, la Chine et le Japon. L’Uruguay, le Luxembourg, les Emirats arabes unis et la Thaïlande sont les plus périphériques. Une analyse d’amas révèle un seul groupe centré autour des États-Unis. L’analyse du réseau de largeurs de bande montre que les Etats-Unis constituent le pays le plus central, suivi par le Royaume-Uni, l’Allemagne, Hong-Kong, Singapour et le Japon. Les plus périphériques sont l’Islande, la Lituanie et le Maroc. Ce réseau comprend trois groupements : les pays de langue anglaise associés à la Scandinavie, la Belgique, les Pays-bas et l’Asie du Sud-Est ; l’Amérique du Sud ; l’Europe franco-allemande. La corrélation entre les deux réseaux montre que l’infrastructure physique détermine de façon importante le communication par hyperliens. Ce n’est toutefois pas le seul déterminant, d’autres sont culturels ou linguistiques. La discussion des résultats fait intervenir la théorie des systèmes mondiaux, l’évolution de l’internet et la mondialisation.

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Barnett, G.A., Park, H.W. The structure of international internet hyperlinks and bilateral bandwidth. Ann. Télécommun. 60, 1110–1127 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03219838

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