Long before fiber optics, Wi-Fi routers, and 4G mobile internet became commonplace, the first internet connections in many cities came from local ISPs who thought outside the box—sometimes literally. In the early 2000s, a common setup involved switches installed on the terraces of apartment buildings, with internet delivered via LAN cables to individual homes.

These local ISPs were small, often family-run or community-focused operations. They didn’t have the massive infrastructure of today’s telecom giants, but they had ingenuity and a deep understanding of the neighborhoods they served. From a building terrace, a single switch could distribute internet to dozens of apartments below, using standard Ethernet cables. Sometimes, the wiring was as simple as twisting a pair of LAN cables through walls and ceilings, but somehow it worked — connecting students, professionals, and early tech enthusiasts to the web for the first time.

The experience was raw and real. Speeds were limited, and connections could be unstable, especially during storms or heavy usage. But for many, this was magic. Suddenly, downloading a song, sending an email, or chatting on early instant messengers was possible from home — without needing a dial-up modem or noisy phone line. People would often share tips on extending cable runs or boosting signal quality, creating a small but vibrant community around their local ISP.

Unlike today’s cloud-based networks, these systems were physical, tangible, and local. You could literally see the wires running from your neighbor’s apartment to your room. Technicians were often just a call away, climbing up to terraces to fix switches, replace cables, or troubleshoot issues. The service was personal in a way modern ISPs rarely are — a friendly face who knew your name and your apartment number.

These early setups also sparked curiosity and learning. Many users got their first hands-on experience with networking concepts, understanding switches, IP addresses, and LAN configurations long before they were taught in schools or online tutorials. It was a generation of early adopters and tinkerers, experiencing the internet in its most physical and direct form.

By the mid-2000s, broadband and fiber started replacing these systems, offering faster speeds, better reliability, and wireless options. But the terrace-switch ISPs left a lasting legacy. They were the bridge between the pre-internet era and the connected world we take for granted today.

For those who remember, the sight of a switch on a terrace, a bundle of LAN cables, and a small local ISP sign was the symbol of freedom, connectivity, and the early excitement of the digital age. It was a time when the internet felt personal, tangible, and just a cable away.