Internet Times Speedily Changing
We have had some good responses to the latest articles about NBN and ‘the Internet of things’ with several people asking for further explanation on why we need greater Internet speeds. This weeks’ article will attempt to answer that question in some more depth.
At all times it needs to be considered that the Internet of 15 years ago and especially our use of copper phone lines to carry an Internet signal was originally intended for simple emails and Internet browsing. With this in mind let’s look at where we are now and where we could be in just a few short years.
The current uses of the Internet could be split into two very broad categories being that of business and personal use. What we are seeing particularly on a personal front is the mushrooming of entertainment services offered over Internet connections. Australians as much as anyone want access to the latest TV series and sporting events.
When broadcast over the Internet we get far greater flexibility not only in the content but also in when we choose to watch it. The Internet basically offers the opportunity to connect to world-wide content which no other entertainment medium is capable of providing. I believe we are just seeing the start of this with the likes of YouTube and Netflix.
We are also seeing the increased use of the Internet for social media such as Facebook, Twitter and personal communication such as Facetime and Skype. These technologies bring families and friends closer together with video calls that don’t run up any extra charges unlike the STD or International calls that we have paid Telstra an absolute fortune for over the years. It no longer costs an arm and a leg to stay in touch with relatives on the other side of the world.
From a business perspective we see larger companies linking their branches with larger phone and data connections that would otherwise see them further struggling to compete on a world scene. There is also an exponential increase in the size of the data files that businesses need to keep and transfer between branches as well as with their suppliers and customers.
Looking forward it is also easy to see greater Internet speeds needed for education in the form of remote or home schooling, remote or home doctor’s consultations and even health monitoring devices. If you live in a remote area being able to talk face to face over the Internet with your doctor could be a live saving grace while keeping in touch with your school teacher and fellow students could place a good education within easier reach.
If Internet speeds can be cranked up more seamless teleconferencing should also see a decrease in the ‘business class’ flights that are currently burning up our fossil fuels simply to put a business man or politician face to face with their contemporaries in a different location. We should also see a reduction of big city traffic and associated smog and congestion if more office workers can stay home and be just as effective over a good internet / video conference connection.
For safety sake the Internet of things will offer a host of worthwhile options. We can have smoke detectors linked direct to the fire department, it will allow us to remotely monitor our homes while we are away or for us to employ a security service to monitor areas around and within our homes at all times. If our pantry and fridge are linked to automatic orders from our grocery supplier then a nutritionist can even keep an eye on our diet and adjust accordingly if necessary.
There are endless reasons for increased Internet speed and we haven’t even touched on public warnings and vital weather information such as during cyclone season. As I have stated previously, the future strength of our economy is strongly linked to the speed and reliability of our national broadband network.
Future Byte Me topics can be emailed to [email protected] and Bruce is contactable at Kerr Solutions, 205 Musgrave Street or on 49 222 400.
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