GreySky. Superfast Broadband. Changing the World

Transcription

1 Superfast Broadband Changing the World

2 Superfast Broadband Changing the World The internet is nothing if we don t use it, and the way we use it will play a critical role in how it is delivered. The commercial rollout of superfast broadband services will be determined by consumer demand the demand for high bandwidth consumer products such as high definition television and gaming will influence how far next generation broadband services will be deployed. But there is far more to the internet than high capacity fibres, and it is going to change the way we run our businesses and live our lives. The six Cs... There will be many different factors that influence the way we use the internet, and determine what we can do with it, but here they are separated into six separate capabilities... Content Communication Commerce Collaboration Computing Community These six different capabilities have the potential to change virtually every aspect of our lives. 1

3 Content Content is vital to the internet if there s nothing to see, then what s the point. Of course, content has always been important, and the internet has changed the way it is collected becoming far more democratic with the use of Wikipedia. It s now possible to find out about virtually anything. But content is already starting to change with the availability of superfast broadband. The BBC iplayer had a huge impact on internet traffic and the increased use of broadband. The development of YouView and smart TVs looks set to do the same with superfast broadband. 2

4 The availability of effective broadband connectivity has already changed the content that is now available. Initially, the internet was a convenient way to access content. But increasingly it is giving access to content that would otherwise simply not be possible. The Google Art Project gives unprecedented access to international art treasures in a detail that is simply not possible in any other form. The ability of superfast broadband to make ever larger data files useable will transform the way we can use content supporting a vast array of activities. 3

5 Communication We ve been using the internet to communicate for a long time first , then chat, and voice. Skype made voice over the internet available to millions and brought video calls to families across the world. But there is much more to VoIP than cheap calls and free video calls on your computer. The internet allows you to bring all your communications together giving you far greater freedom and control. Be accessible to make and take important calls wherever you are. But be in control filtering your calls and messages as you need to. 4

6 Commerce The internet is now firmly established as a critical sales channel for almost all businesses. The internet provides a convenient means of shopping for all products and services, and it is becoming increasingly dominant. In the current harsh economic climate, the UK retail sector is facing serious challenges as the economic downturn continues to impact on spending. But just as the high street reported the continued difficult trading, online sales bucked the trend to record continued growth. In fact, the best performance has been for multi-channel operators with both high street and online channels. Multi-channel retailers showed a 19% increase, against only 6% for pure online retailers. Internet is an important way of extending a business propositions providing extra convenience and efficiency, though perhaps not an absolute alternative to a strong brand and effective business model. However, it is increasingly clear that e-commerce will continue to dominate. It seems the businesses that are first to establish a strong online sales channel can dominate their market. Those who don t recognise the challenge and adapt may never recover. 5

7 Collaboration Small and medium businesses (SMEs) form the bulk of the UK economy. Bus SMEs haven t traditionally been all that competitive big businesses were always seen as more effective. Broadband started to change that. Broadband meant that no business was too small to be able to have a website, use and trade internationally. The use of online collaboration tools through superfast broadband will have a similar impact on the way SMEs work allowing them to compete far more effectively with larger companies by collaborating with other partners. Tools like Dropbox Google Docs and Microsoft SkyDrive all allow users to share documents with other users, as well as synchronising their documents across multiple devices and online backup. Tools such as these allow groups to work on documents from multiple locations you don t all need to work in the same office, or even have access to the same company server to be able to manage documents efficiently. Similar tools also allow users to share calendars with other users, arrange appointments, and so on actions that previously needed the users to access expensive server based systems. The development of these sophisticated online services mean that teams can be formed quickly from multiple organisations, or groups of individuals each contributing their individual expertise. This can revolutionise the way we see employment and career development. 6

8 Computing The internet is more than just cables it s a network of computers. Cloud computing is really still in its infancy at the moment. There are various applications that are being tested, and we are only just starting to see what might be possible. But it s going to change our lives. This kitchen is in Newcastle University. It is fitted with an incredible array of sensors. They re in everything the fridge, cooker, taps, knives, pans, storage containers, the floor basically everything and everywhere. And they re all connected to the internet. Massive processing power in the cloud takes the data and can learn what is happening in the kitchen. This means it can help suggesting recipes, and following them to tell you what to do next. And it can detect unusual behaviour if you collapse in the kitchen, then it can summon assistance. This can turn ordinary sheltered housing into 24 hours-a-day care. Allowing vulnerable people to live independent lives far longer and more safely than is currently possible. 7

9 Community Until recently we ve tended to see the social networking services (Facebook, Twitter, etc) as the trivial playground of the young and of aimless celebrities. But recently we ve seen the other side of Facebook and Twitter. They give people the power to join together and change political regimes, and the concept of political power for ever. 8

10 Of course this means that those in power will also try to control the internet, but that s not easy. And it makes you REALLY unpopular. And, of course, how we think about this depends critically on what we think of the political regime in question... But the point remains, the internet brings people together and gives them power political power, economic power, consumer power, all forms of power that come from bringing people together. Changing the world We don t know how the internet will change the world. All we can really know is that it will. Not taking part doesn t stop the world changing it just means you get left behind. This is the time of the connected community and that means a fully connected community. 9

11 Consulting Grange Corner House, Scots Gap, Northumberland, NE61 4EG