internet convergence and its impact on society

INTERNET CONVERGENCE AND ITS USE IN SOCIETY

Convergence and the Internet means the incorporation of the wide reaching and linking aspects of the internet with other mediums,This convergence has led to the development of new forms of media technologies.

The obvious angle is Internet Telephony, which allows audio communication over internet lines, rather than through the dedicated transmission lines that regular phones use. The advantage of VoIP technology in society is that by being connected to the internet, the user is connected to the rest of the world.

IPTV is another internet convergence that is a system where a digital television service is delivered using Internet Protocol  over a network infrastructure, that is, a broadband connection. It’s not so long away before the internet and the TV become almost the same thing. We’ll surf the web on our TV, while also subscribing to internet TV shows, buying video downloads, and watching TV broadcast over a broadband connection.

In the world of intenent convergence we have internet radio services usually accessible from anywhere in the world,one could listen to an Australian station from Pakistan or India. Some major networks like Clear Channel in the US and in UK restrict listening to in country because of music licensing and advertising concerns. Internet radio services offer news, sports, talk, and various genres of music,every format that is available on traditional radio stations.

Nowadays current and new mobile handsets are incorporated with GPRS technology, allowing internet access on a cellular phone. Its uses range from wireless gaming to that of information gathering.Incorporating Wifi technology with Convergence and the Internet is another interesting aspect  mean that if you are within range of a Wi-Fi network or hotspot, you would be able to take advantage of Wi-Fi higher data transmission speedo cell phones are to be used for communication over the internet.

The Television, Radio and Newspapers are the worlds main mediums in accessing news and entertainment. Now, all 3 mediums have converged into one and people all over the world now can read news on the internet. They can also watch videos, Television Shows, listen to music, download and upload pictures, music and videos. Now one doesn't have to wait until the next day to hear the latest in news, fashion and music. The internet is so easy to access that should anything happen, it would be displayed to the whole world within minutes.

A social network service focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Most social network services are web base  and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as email and instanmessages services.

Social networking has encouraged new ways to communicate and share information. Social networking websites are being used regularly by millions of people.

Popular methods now combine many of these, with Facebook widely used worldwide; MySpace, Twitter,  Bebo, Hi5, MySpace, dol2day,Tagged, XING, and Skyrock in parts of Europe, Orkut and Hi5 , Friendster, Multiply, Orkut, Xiaonei and Cyworld.

E commerce is another converged interntet application use in socity. It is about setting business on the Internet, allowing visitors to access website, and go through a virtual catalog of products or services online. E-Commerce is not about just online stores, its about anything and everything to do with money. It can be banking, reserve your seat in cinema for a movie, request for a movie at the local video store, and if feeling hungry, access the local restaurant and order dinner In short e Commerce, saves time,traffic jams, shopping crowds, carrying overloaded heavy shopping bags etc

Telemedicine is a rapidly developing application of clinical medicine where medical information is transferred via telephone, the Internet or other networks for the purpose of consulting, and sometimes remote medical procedures or examinations.

INTERNET CONVERGENCE IN PAKISTAN

Digicom launched the first international internet service in Pakistan in 1995. The licensing of commercial internet service providers began in 1996. By mid-1999 licenses to provide internet services had been issued to approximately 100 organizations. By mid-2000, the number of Pakistan users had grown to 500,000. In year 2005, the total number of internet Service providers has crossed 2000 mark and subsequent internet users have reached to a roaring total of 10.5 Million.

Internet develpoment are considered in following sectors in pakistan.

E-learning – it is been initiated and provided by Government  supported Virtual University of  Pakistam in more then 700 cities

E-banking – Online and internet transactions provided by almost all major banks of Pakistan

E-health – Not everywhere but initiatives has been taken by Government of Punjab, Sindh .

E-Crimes – Government of Pakistan is setting up special tribunals in the Federal Capital and provincial  headquarters to investigate and check the incidents of e-crimes(under Electronic Crimes Bill-2006finalized very soon), which has remained unpunished for lack of specific law.

E-Commerce – Online Auctions, E- Billing, Online selling’s of Computer and Books has been started by major shops

E-Governance – Government is working a lot in order to establish e governance system in Pakistan.

 IPTV by PTCL is branded as Smart TV, is all digital providing Electronic Program Guide and Video on demand. TV and video services such as video-on-demand (VoD), subscription, live TV channel lineup packaging and scheduling, and network-based digital video recorder capabilities.Additional “blended” communications applications such as get an alert of phone call on your TV, text chat and live traffic or flight  information.