Final answer:
It is true that the Internet is essentially a worldwide wide area network (WAN), as it connects computers across the globe for communication and commerce, and it transcends traditional barriers of trade and information exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'The Internet is essentially a worldwide wide area network (WAN)' is True. A WAN is a telecommunications network that extends over a large geographic area for the purpose of computer networking. The Internet is the largest WAN, spanning the entire globe, allowing millions of computers to connect and communicate with each other.
Since its inception, the Internet's capabilities have grown beyond simple text-based communication, evolving into a broad platform for digital media consumption and commerce. With technologies such as fiber optic network backbones and the proliferation of 4G and 5G cellular networks, users now stream a variety of content, including video to devices like smartphones and tablets.
In the context of trade, the Internet has similarities to historic trade networks in that it serves as a conduit for the exchange of goods, services, and information across vast distances. However, unlike traditional trade routes that were constrained by physical geography, the Internet transcends these barriers, enabling instantaneous communication and transactions. As the Internet continues to grow, it plays an increasingly important role in global trade and the dissemination of cultural and political ideas, even in places where authorities may attempt to restrict access.