15 ways the Internet is changing the world

1. Inremote areas of the world, Internet-based self-learning is supplementing conventional forms of education.

“The Internet enables lectures and lessons to be conducted via video conferencing, and by providing affordable access to a range of online basic and advanced degrees.” – Telenor Group study on socio-economic impact of the Internet.” Telenor Group study on socio-economic impact of the Internet.

2. Internet-enabled vehicles have taken the leap from science fiction to reality.

Many manufacturers are launching their connected car concepts, allowing people to get real-time, Web-based information from the convenience of the driver’s seat.

3. In a country such as Bangladesh, where the patient-doctor ration is 4000:1, Web-based healthcare is playing a role in keeping the nation healthy.

Webcams, live conferencing and online medical records can help bring medical care to even the remotest corners of the world.

4. The opportunity for new business grows along with increased Internet penetration.

Research conducted in Serbia, Bangladesh and Thailand shows a one per cent annual growth in the rate of new business formation with just a 10 per cent increase in Internet access.

“Internet penetration will also spur entrepreneurship, resulting in an increase in the number of new business activities, which on the next level is a key driver of job creation. Job creation could reach between 94,000 and 129,000 per year in the three countries by 2020.” Telenor Group study on socio-economic impact of the Internet.

5. More and more people use Internet to communicate their opinions.

So far, 25 billion “tweets” and counting have been logged during the lifespan of Twitter.

6. We will never lose a friend again.

Social media sites like Facebook help us keep track of our friends. Today, Facebook users have an average of 100 friends each.

7. You are increasingly more likely to meet your future spouse on Internet.

According to a study by Match and Chadwick Martin Bailey, one in five people in a committed relationship met their significant other on the Internet.

8. More and more marketing budgets are being spent on the Web rather than on traditional media.

According to Forrester Research, U.S. interactive marketing spending will reach USD 55 billion by 2014, making up 21 per cent of all marketing spending.

9. Your favorite newspaper may soon come in tablet form.

With the onslaught of Web-enabled tablets or pads, newspapers and magazines are seeing opportunities. A report by Next Issue Media suggests that if magazines expand beyond the iPad, they’ll rake in about USD 3 billion by 2014.

10. Internet has the power to erode “rush hour” as we know it.

“Those who have been to Bangkok cannot have missed the traffic congestion that dominates its streets almost any time a day. In Bangkok alone, up to THB 192 billion is spent on fuel for passenger cars, emitting a total of 20 million tons of carbon dioxide, all in one year. By enabling home offices and online transactions, the Internet can reduce both of these by reducing the need for car trips by as much as 10 per cent.” Telenor Group study on the socio-economic impact of the Internet.

11. Internet is placing new demands on mobile phone manufacturers and telecom operators.

“Our goal is to get everyone on the Internet, no matter the type of phone they are using. For many of our markets, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and India, the mobile phone is the only access point to the Web, so we want to make browsing the Web as easy, accessible and affordable as possible.” – said Telenor’s Head of Internet Eskil Dahlen.

12. Crack open a new dictionary and you’ll find many new, Internet-related words that simply didn’t exist 20 years ago.

The Oxford Dictionary of English now includes new entries such as “social media” and “microblogging”.

13. Buyers are increasingly turning to the Web to make their purchases.

Internet shopping means instant price comparisons and a wealth of product reviews at your disposal. According to a survey by the Nielsen Company, 57 per cent of respondents consider online reviews prior to buying consumer electronics.

14. More and more people are exploring new worlds.

Approximately 19 million globally pay to explore three-dimensional Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games, allowing them to compete with players from all over the world, via the Internet.

15. Transferring money, check account balances and paying bills have never before been so easy and convenient.

Customers who were previously unable to access financial services are now able to use their mobile phones to connect to online banking services.

“There are markets where the mobile operator can really make a difference, in terms of bringing simple financial services to people who have never before had access to them or did not understand their benefits, for example in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India,” said Telenor’s Head of Financial Services Kornelija Eriksen.

Sources:

Wikipedia.org
Towards a connected world
Forrester Research
Hubpages.com
Computerworld.com
PR Media Blog
Match.com study
UPI.com
NielsenWire
USAToday
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