With these two developments, you could have a machine at home, plug it into your phone line and communicate with others. In October 1981, there were 213 hosts on the Net. In February 1986, there were 2308. But since January 1998, as I noted above, that growth rate has fallen. I wouldn't worry about this.
Every technology goes from a lab to being the toy of an in-group to being a utility.
When it first becomes a utility, people rush to buy and participate, then there is a slackening. But don't fret. In July 1999, Malawi, Kiribata, Eritrea and Somalia joined the Internet. In January 1999, they were preceded by Sao Tome, Samoa and Tuvalo. There are so few additions because there are so few countries left unconnected.