But demand for higher speed - and larger downloads - are turning that super-highway into a very expensive car-park.
At Sydney University, a radical new invention could help unclog cyber-space's arteries, increasing the speed of the internet by hundreds of times and potentially cutting its costs.
Many of Sunday's best stories result from tip-offs from our viewers. E-mail us your idea or call 02 9965 2470 ... or, to find out more about leaking a secret, click here.
Watch our report
