Tech Innovations That Are Bringing the World Closer Together
Way back in the dark ages of connectivity, only large cities had access to cable TV, and satellite, mobile services and Internet access were at least a decade into the future. These days, technology advances almost faster than many providers can keep up; private and corporate customers in developed countries are more mobile and connected than ever before, even into rural areas. That's the good news, but you may be startled to learn that two-thirds of the population of the planet have no Internet access. In fact, between India and China alone, there are more then one billion people who are still not connected, and the cost of service in many countries in the Southern Hemisphere is more than the average family's monthly income. Bringing developing economies into the global loop isn't just good for the providers or the populace, there's evidence that for every 10% of the population who become connected, the the country's GDP will increase up to 1.5%. That may not seem substantial, but in terms of exponential growth and advancement, it can make the difference between a Third World, dependent nation and a thriving, independent contributor to world markets. Affordable, reliable connections also improve education and access to health care, and they open up a new world of information and opportunities, things that we in the West take for granted. Why Can't We All Just Connect? Part of the problem with gaining access is access itself. Mountainous, desert or frozen terrains make it difficult to lay the necessary infrastructure for advanced communications and connectivity, and poorer economies simply don't have the funding to embark on a large-scale installation of telecommunications and Internet connectivity services. However, this isn't just an issue for Third World countries. Landmark projects, like the Telemedicine program in the United States, hit a roadblock when fears about technological reliability and reimbursement concerns regarding the cost of medical consultations and diagnostics for residents in rural communities, and some of the more remote area of the U.S. still have issues with broadband, WiFi and satellite supply and support. There is hope for the technologically disadvantaged: innovative solutions are being developed and tested by some of those who are at the forefront of Information Technology and networking. The goal is not just to allow technological access to poor or remote communities, but to fill in the gaps in service coverage in developed nations as well. Initiatives like these will connect us with our most remote neighbors on the planet, while also enabling the possibility of uninterrupted connectivity to all of us in times of natural disasters and national or international emergencies. On the Horizon Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced that in August of 2016, his internet.org project will utilize the Israeli AMOS-6 satellite system to begin providing Internet access to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. This will be a joint venture involving Eutelsat, a French tech company, and Spacecom Satellite Communications of Israel. It's expected to provide reliable service to 14 countries. Not to be outdone, Google intends to harness both the air and sun when it launches Loon, a system of solar-powered balloons that will hover in the stratosphere and ring the planet. Each of these pumpkin-shaped balloons is made of cost-effective, ultra-thin plastic, and they're about the size of a small aircraft; the coverage area for each balloon is about 460 sq. miles. They're currently in the testing phase in Brazil, New Zealand and Central Valley, California, and will travel West to East on the air currents of the upper atmosphere. Innovative solutions aren't just coming from the major players. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs like Mukesh Valabhji are also making it possible for customers in previously under-served or remote areas to receive the same high-quality television, Internet and mobile services as developed nations. The benefits will go beyond mere entertainment to encompass better access to news, information and medical care throughout the world.
