Final answer:
The National Science Foundation stimulated the development of commercial, long-distance Internet connections in the United States through funding the development of the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET). This facilitated the expansion and improvement of Internet infrastructure, leading to faster and more reliable connections across the country.
Step-by-step explanation:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) played a significant role in stimulating the development of commercial, long-distance Internet connections in the United States. In the 1980s, the NSF funded the development of the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET), a high-speed network backbone that connected universities and research institutions. This funding allowed for the expansion and improvement of Internet infrastructure, leading to faster and more reliable connections across the country.
As a result, more commercial entities started to provide Internet services, such as internet service providers (ISPs), which helped increase access and connectivity for businesses and individuals. This largely contributed to the growth of the commercial internet as we know it today.