Yes, but in order for that digital protocol to spread and be used widely, you usually need massive investments in infrastructure without immediate returns, which the state often funds.

In fact, Morse was supported by Congress to build a demonstration of his telegraph system (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Morse):

> Morse made his last trip to Washington, D.C., in December 1842, stringing "wires between two committee rooms in the Capitol, and sent messages back and forth" to demonstrate his telegraph system.[19] Congress appropriated $30,000 (equal to $833,250 today) in 1843 for construction of an experimental 38-mile (61 km) telegraph line between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore along the right-of-way of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.[20] An impressive demonstration occurred on May 1, 1844, when news of the Whig Party's nomination of Henry Clay for U.S. president was telegraphed from the party's convention in Baltimore to the Capitol Building in Washington.[20]

That line was indeed funded by Congress. But it was a failure, eliciting zero interest from the public, and little to no use. After 3 months the line cost $1859.05 to run yet revenue was $193.56.

The next line was funded when Morse partnered with Amos Kendall forming the Magnetic Telegraph Company. It built lines from New York to Philadelphia, Boston and Buffalo. Receipts for the first for days on the NY to Philadelphia run was $100. And the telegraph was off and running.

2 years later there was 2,000 miles if wire, and another two years added another 10,000 miles.

The government line proved to be irrelevant, not crucial.

See "The Victorian Internet" by Tom Standage

The wikipedia article omitted the crucial fact that the government line was a complete failure.