Final answer:
America Online (AOL) was the major service provider handling the bulk of Internet traffic until 1995. AOL evolved from using modems and phone lines to broadband connections as the Internet expanded. The company's prominence was marked by significant acquisitions and a merger with Time Warner.
Step-by-step explanation:
Until 1995, America Online (AOL) handled the bulk of the communications activity, or traffic, on the Internet. AOL, which started as an online service provider, utilized phone lines and modems in its early days, much like bulletin board systems (BBSs). As the Internet grew, AOL shifted to broadband connections to support the increasing amount of information exchanged online. By the mid-1990s, AOL had become the leading service provider, with a substantial number of U.S. households accessing the Internet through its service.
The rise of AOL and other online platforms coincided with significant developments in technology and networking. The standardization of communications protocols facilitated the birth of the commercial Internet, and the development of the World Wide Web enabled a new level of data and media sharing. The commercial success of AOL, highlighted by its acquisitions and merger with Time Warner, illustrates its dominance in the Internet communications sphere during the 1990s.