Information Technology: The Future of Communications
The last quarter of the 20th century witnessed what may be called the TV Revolution and the 21st century is going to be the era of Information Technology. By all accounts, the sweep of the electronics is going to extend beyond the horizon of TV. Even TV may become a thing of the past in the next few years.
During the last about 30 years television, one of the greatest inventions of the scientific world, has contributed immensely to the development of mankind. It has brought people of different countries and regions closer to one another, enabling them to learn about the culture and traditions flourishing in different parts of the world. It is perhaps the most
powerful means of mass communication for education and entertainment. But the invention which has completely changed the lifestyle of the people and is threatening to push the TV into the backyard is the modern-day computer. The computer has, in recent years, triggered a new phase of development of mankind. The potentials of the computer are so vast and so varied that it can, among other things, also perform the functions of television very efficiently. But in addition, it possesses many other features which are not available in the TV.
The 20th century was totally dependent on computers and the list of the functions which computer performs for man includes business transactions, education, communications and the like are endless. In this age of Information Technology (IT), when the computer revolution has turned the world into a global village, the conveying of information has to be fast and accurate. Even a few seconds’ delay can cause immeasurable damage to our business. Today communication is power, communication is money, fun, entertainment and intelligence.
One consequence of computer revolution is that all the future business will be online. This development has led to the growth of a new concept called E-Commerce. Now people are no more required to face the hustle and bustle of shopping and bargaining. With the simple push of a button, the entire shoppers’ list will appear on the screen from where they can order the products of their choice.
Even in the stock markets, all the regular transactions have now been made on-line. This has reduced the chaotic conditions of these markets to a very large extent. Similarly, the NET savvy people can now browse on different websites through internet either for the purpose of fun or for the sake of knowledge. Various websites present a whole gamut of information ranging from persons, places, cultures, traditions, etc. So, people needing any piece of information can download it as and when required.
Even in defence matters, the role of computers in communication has become immense. The modern warfare is no more dependent on the physical strength and bravery of combatant armies, but on the power of their electronic gadgets. The veracity of this statement was amply proved in the Gulf War in which the US Army, with the support of its vast sophisticated communication network, destroyed the might of Iraqi. We still remember those Patriot missiles fired by the US Army. This was an efficient display of how satellites work in tandem with computers and decide the fate of war in seconds. Little wonder then, the future wars will be fought in space with the country possessing the better and the more efficient network winning the battle.
Communication satellites have also made a significant contribution towards the development of communication network. Recently, Iridium, a global communication giant which has a constellation of 65 satellites, has launched its Global Mobile Personal Calling Service (GMPCS) all over the world including India.
Today, we are simply overwhelmed by the vast possibilities of new technologies, a whole new range of user-friendly computers, optic fibres, ISDN, computer graphics, CD-ROMs, MDTV and the like. The latest in the series is the INTERNET, the information super-highway as it is called by its users. With the advent of so many electronic gadgets, the constraints of time and distance have disappeared, making it possible for humanity to be integrated intellectually, economically, militarily, culturally and emotionally by sharing global commonwealth of information resources.
INTERNET is today used by over 40 million people and is growing at a fantastic speed of 200 percent a year. The management of computers in a vast network, and the entire system is not owned by anyone, nor has it any headquarters or a central authority. Nobody runs it, yet everybody owns it.
The NET facilitates direct contact between scientists and researchers and this is really a great thing. Cross-border transfer of information has become a daily reality for millions of users.
An ordinary computer, a modem and a connection through a telephone line is enough to get hooked to the INTERNET. In India, VSNL gives the line up at a modest fee through the US-based Telecom giant, MCI International, and through Gateway International Services.
The present communication network in India is maintained by the INSAT series of satellites. Most of the modern communication services including the INTERNET and television services are available because of these satellites. Business is growing. People are coming closer and the policy of having a quantum jump in information technology is in its fruition stages.
It is thus seen that we have come a long way, leaving the age of television and its picture tubes far behind. The present age is the age of computers and satellites. With the introduction of new technologies, the dimensions of communication system will also change and the time is not far when people will be putting through their calls from the Moon and other planets as if they were speaking from the next room.
While talking proudly of the modern electronic technology, which has taken us beyond TV to the realm of satellite communication and INTERNET and other miracles of modern science, we must not forget the ground realities. India is still a poor agricultural country about 30 per cent of its people living below the poverty line, and for many, even a transistor set is a luxury, not to speak of the colour television and the INTERNET. We should, therefore, see to it that the existing means of communications are suitably distributed so that even the humblest of the humble can have access to them.
1048 Words
