Caution: This is not any sci-fi article taking the readers to a future that may as well never happen!
Today, around 2.7 billion people have access to the internet, and then there is that other world which is yet to be linked. Facebook, in an initiative called Internet.org, is developing drones to offer wifi to the remaining two-third of population. Just within five to seven years, super-sized, solar-powered drones will hover above remote parts of the world to provide high speed internet access. Current estimates reflect that these solar-powered bodies will be ‘roughly the size’ of a Boeing 747, but much lighter.
One of the fundamental challenges of our time is to bond these two. “Can you imagine the potential of things that could be done after that? The potential will multiply zillion times and not just thrice.” says Sam who leads IT based innovative projects with sourceyourcad.com.
The incremental rise of internet users in developing countries takes the prospective to an even higher level. As per latest statistics on Wikipedia, internet penetration in India is 12.6% which still makes it the third highest population of internet users (by a fair margin). Although it is highly unlikely to see the Drones flying over remote areas in India before the US. Then again, American internet penetration is already at 81%, and by almost all business standards, it makes better ROI if planted in India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Digital India” crusade is gaining connotation in the minds of budding entrepreneurs and large corporates alike. “If this new government really wants to realize the ambitions to reality, they need to strengthen the prospects of talent electing to be a tycoon, than working for an American MNC. Almost every single idea needs to be appreciated, funded and projected in the best way” says Gaurav who is founder of gearBoB. He continues, “The way planning commission and other bureaucracies are being taken off from the equation, things do look promising, just that the speed could be improved.”
When more people gain access to the internet, they can not only connect with their family, friends and communities, but they also get access to the tools and information to help find jobs, start businesses, avail healthcare, education and financial assistance from investors. They get to participate in the knowledge economy and contribute to its betterment.
We come across astounding businesses prospering through generating cost effective solutions from trainees, interns, work from home and even paid certifications. Unfortunately, even before any of their innovations comes to see the light, a train comes from the other side of the tunnel to buy and brand it as an international offering. For instance, Litmusnews.com is an internet based citizen-reporting platform operating on a similar model. It is attracting more views and social media attention compared to large news networks with costs less than 1% of their budgets. And the time isn’t far before a CNN or BBC comes with a fat cheque and enlists this Google Feedburner based news platform under their list of offerings.
I conclude with this recent study that 56% Indian web users can't last 5 hours without internet, and the penetration is only about to increase. There was never a better time for the Governments of developing nations to look more meticulously towards their IT possibilities within. Indian IT potential is a lot more than TCS, Infosys and HCL infosystems, if given the right ecosystem to grow.
more such stories on Litmus News
Today, around 2.7 billion people have access to the internet, and then there is that other world which is yet to be linked. Facebook, in an initiative called Internet.org, is developing drones to offer wifi to the remaining two-third of population. Just within five to seven years, super-sized, solar-powered drones will hover above remote parts of the world to provide high speed internet access. Current estimates reflect that these solar-powered bodies will be ‘roughly the size’ of a Boeing 747, but much lighter.
One of the fundamental challenges of our time is to bond these two. “Can you imagine the potential of things that could be done after that? The potential will multiply zillion times and not just thrice.” says Sam who leads IT based innovative projects with sourceyourcad.com.
The incremental rise of internet users in developing countries takes the prospective to an even higher level. As per latest statistics on Wikipedia, internet penetration in India is 12.6% which still makes it the third highest population of internet users (by a fair margin). Although it is highly unlikely to see the Drones flying over remote areas in India before the US. Then again, American internet penetration is already at 81%, and by almost all business standards, it makes better ROI if planted in India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Digital India” crusade is gaining connotation in the minds of budding entrepreneurs and large corporates alike. “If this new government really wants to realize the ambitions to reality, they need to strengthen the prospects of talent electing to be a tycoon, than working for an American MNC. Almost every single idea needs to be appreciated, funded and projected in the best way” says Gaurav who is founder of gearBoB. He continues, “The way planning commission and other bureaucracies are being taken off from the equation, things do look promising, just that the speed could be improved.”
When more people gain access to the internet, they can not only connect with their family, friends and communities, but they also get access to the tools and information to help find jobs, start businesses, avail healthcare, education and financial assistance from investors. They get to participate in the knowledge economy and contribute to its betterment.
We come across astounding businesses prospering through generating cost effective solutions from trainees, interns, work from home and even paid certifications. Unfortunately, even before any of their innovations comes to see the light, a train comes from the other side of the tunnel to buy and brand it as an international offering. For instance, Litmusnews.com is an internet based citizen-reporting platform operating on a similar model. It is attracting more views and social media attention compared to large news networks with costs less than 1% of their budgets. And the time isn’t far before a CNN or BBC comes with a fat cheque and enlists this Google Feedburner based news platform under their list of offerings.
I conclude with this recent study that 56% Indian web users can't last 5 hours without internet, and the penetration is only about to increase. There was never a better time for the Governments of developing nations to look more meticulously towards their IT possibilities within. Indian IT potential is a lot more than TCS, Infosys and HCL infosystems, if given the right ecosystem to grow.
more such stories on Litmus News