In the latter part of the 20th century, the United States saw significant advancements in technology that transformed communication, commerce, and entertainment. One of the most pivotal inventions was the personal computer, which became widely accessible in the 1980s and continued to evolve. As these technologies emerged, they greatly influenced American society and the economy. Given this context, which of the following technological advancements significantly contributed to the rise of the internet in the 1990s?