"What is happening in Egypt just goes to show the leverage that governments have over telecom providers, " said Cynthia Wong, the director of the Global Internet Freedom project at the Center of Democracy and Technology in Washington.

WSJ: Egypt Intrudes on Mobile Operators

Jim Stolze, a writer and researcher involved with the project, says the Internet has become our "new global campfire, " the place where we gather to argue, laugh, talk, learn, love, turn strangers into friends, and to get a sense of belonging.

CNN: Can happiness be found online?