Innovation in computer networking continues at a rapid pace. Advances are being made on all fronts, including deployments of faster routers and higher transmission speeds in both access networks and in network backbones. According to Kurose and Ross, the following developments merit special attention in the new millennium:

• Since the beginning of the millennium, we have been seeing aggressive deployment of broadband Internet access to homes; • The increasing ubiquity of high-speed public Wi-Fi networks and medium-speed Internet access is not only making it possible to remain constantly connected while on the move, but also enabling new location-specific applications; • Online social networks have created massive people networks on top of the Internet; • Online service providers have deployed their own extensive private networks; • Many Internet commerce companies are now running their applications in the “cloud”.

De acordo com o texto, o desenvolvimento que merece atenção especial é: