A global network refers to the interconnection of people and companies across the world. Multinationals and transnationals are examples of the global corporate network. These companies transfer technologies and expertise from their home countries to foreign ones. However, the global network system is not one-sided because all parties benefit in one way or another. For example, the people from the foreign country benefit by getting employment. Their government benefits by getting more revenue after taxing the multinational. The transnational can benefit by lowering their operational costs since raw materials and labor in the foreign country are less expensive.

A global network can also be defined as the spread of information across borders. The internet is an example of a global network system. As long the recipient is online or has a stable internet connection, you can send them documents through email or videos and audio files, through social media and they'll get them immediately. You can use the internet for entertainment or educational purposes. That means the global communication network encourages the exchange of ideas. Another example of a global network is mobile networks. Service providers allow us to communicate with people in remote areas as long as they have a phone number. Therefore, the global communication network allows us to explore different parts of the world and keep in touch with our loved ones at the same time.

In its broadest definition, a global network is a chain of connections that link people around the world in a flow of communications, services, money, information, and goods. Using this broad definition, we might identify transnational corporations (TNCs) and multinational corporations (MNCs) as global networks, for they span the whole world as they produce and sell their products. Apple, Microsoft, and McDonald's are prime examples of companies that do business throughout the world.

Most definitions of "global network," however, limit the term to its application in communications. In this case, a global network is a communication system that spans the world. Most of us immediately think of the Internet when we hear this definition. The Internet is simply a network of computers linked by cables, satellites, and wireless systems. These computers can access information from around the world and provide instant communication with people in any location where the Internet reaches.

Other examples of global networks (in terms of communications) include mobile wireless networks that provide cellular service for cell phones and other devices; communications satellites like Globalstar; and even international mail services (which do indeed allow communication to spread throughout the world).

Global networks have become so familiar to us these days that we hardly think about them. They are simply part of our lives, whether we're talking about a TNC or the Internet. Yet it is good to occasionally step back and think about how connected our world has become even compared to a couple decades ago. When we purchase a product made in another country, make a call on a cell phone, or look up something on the Internet, we are participating in a global network.

A global network is a wide area network (WAN) that covers the globe—which, when it comes to network size, is about as wide as you can get.

Computers on a global network can be linked wirelessly or maintain a wired connection, although, for a truly global network to be wired, some of its cables have to stretch underwater. Predictably, these underwater cables are more expensive and harder to fix than underground cables.

The internet is the biggest and most basic example of a global network; it connects smaller local area networks, or LANs, all over the planet. Businesses with international offices and clients have their own global networks, as well, that connect their various locations and services together.

Multinational companies with global networks, like Cisco, for example, face a unique set of challenges in keeping everybody connected. Because they cover so much ground, and cross so many borders, they have to deal with different service providers and government regulations in each of the countries in which they operate.

A common working definition for "global network" is the following definition: A global network is "any communication network that spans the entire Earth." If you use this definition, then a global network is going to be something like the GSM mobile communication system. GSM stands for "Global System for Mobile communications." Currently, GSM networks are available in 219 countries and allow individuals to be contacted via the same mobile number in each of those countries. GSM networks cover more than 90% of the world's population. The GSM network for cellular communication is a solid, specific example of a global network. It allows communication between individuals and groups from just about any location on the planet. Another example is the Internet, but I feel that is a much more vague example.