High-speed internet is shaping the way new information and communications technologies are changing the way companies do business, transforming public service delivery and empowering innovation. Internet has become as important as electricity, water, and transportation networks. In fact, research carried out in 33 OECD countries shows that by doubling internet speed connections, economic growth increases by 0.3 per cent in GDP.
Google Fibre offers a connection speed that is estimated to be 100 times faster than today’s average broadband speeds. That means that you can download 100 photos using Google Fibre at 1000mbps in just three seconds. Current average broadband speeds, such as 10Mbps, would take approximately four minutes and 40 seconds.
What does this mean for internet users and what opportunities does it provide new start-ups that use this infrastructure?
Gigabit speeds offer crystal clear HD through internet, introducing new concepts of internet TV, with new possibilities enabled through DVR such as recording eight programmes simultaneously and more. It creates new possibilities to allow people to work from home and connect seamlessly to the organisation they work for.
Super-fast internet is not some future concept that will never see the light of day. In fact, Google chose Kansas City to set up a 10Gigabit per second fibre optic real broadband experiment. Through this experiment, subscribers could, for about €50 a month on a 12-month contract, connect up to 1,000Mbps for both download and upload speeds plus a terabyte (1,000 gigabytes) of free online storage.
Kansas City officials described being chosen as a test-bed for Google’s super-fast internet experiment as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect (our) community” and create a dialogue with foreign companies and local communities.
But why does speed matter? And what would the benefits for an island like Malta be?
Super-fast internet is not some future concept that will never see the light of day
Businesses are always striving to access real time information to acquire knowledge on market trends, as well as making use of financial services that rely on a reliable and fast internet connection. A super-fast connection would also benefit the education and health services, especially due to our island geographic location, as this can facilitate access to overseas specialisation. This enables us to both to share our expertise and to make use of services such as enhanced eHealth and eLearning, by adopting effective techniques such as streaming videos and online interactive mediums.
Innovative ideas that encourage collaboration will simulate new ways of doing business, both locally and in new foreign markets. Public services will be more efficient and cost-effective and the way we access entertainment will change with greater options for consumers. Innovative ideas can only be possible with such an infrastructure.
The reduction of the digital divide in Malta has been on the agenda for years. According to the National Office of Statistics, 77.5 per cent of households in Malta have access to the internet and 83.3 per cent of users access the internet on a daily basis. Research and innovation are key factors that help economic growth which also depend on having the right resources and infrastructure to achieve tangible results that can really make a greater impact on the outcome.
Super-fast internet does not only need to be implemented locally but it also needs to be part of the larger picture considering the neighbouring countries and EU ICT strategy.
The implementation of a digital economy in Malta involves the collaboration of various key players and entities including the Malta Communications Authority and the Malta Information Technology Agency being the main players. Since 1990, Malta has implemented an ICT policy through a strategic approach with the aim of delivering the next generation ICT environment, implementing a connected society, reinventing government services, supporting e-Business and developing a world-leading ICT industry, among others.
Broadband networks help to increase the link through ICT and various domains in ways that will ultimately have a significant effect on economic activity, stimulating growth and a positive impact on the quality of life.
The next challenge is what you do with super-fast internet that has not already been done. Countries that introduce super-fast internet can make use of new opportunities having access to information faster, giving subscribers competitive edge in international markets.
Conrad Attard is an assistant lecturer at the Department of Computer Information Systems within the Faculty of ICT, University of Malta. He is reading for a PhD at the University of Sheffield, UK. His research interests are smart technology, enterprise applications, apps and persuasive technology. He is a member of the core team Science in the City – Researchers Night.