Businesses and Consumers Using Internet More

2008-09-07 21:31:22 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Business, Featured Stories, Technology)

Growth attributes to emerging markets, Spanish-speaking nations, demand for web videos usage due to increase in oil price. However, high-traffic users are facing download problem due to some American Internet service providers.

Dallas, Texas (WiredPRNews.com)—Worldwide Internet usage is up but at a slower rate than at this time last year, according to a recent report.

According to an Associated Press article by Peter Svensson that appeared in Yahoo News.com on September 3, 2008, the research group TeleGeography released data showing that large increases happened in areas between the United States and Spanish-speaking nations in Central and South-America.

The report indicated that on trans-oceanic optical fiber lines, the bandwidth capacity rose over 60%. Emerging markets showed the highest growth, according to the report, which also noted that overall traffic is high because of the demand for web videos. Another possible reason for increased use of the web could be high fuel costs, which have spurred more people to telecommute and conduct meetings via web conferencing software.

Increased surcharges by airlines to check bags and higher ticket prices have made businesses resort to more cost-efficient ways to conference with clients, vendors and associates. While web conferencing lacks the personal touch, the time and money savings are astronomical. Many firms are using web videos to deliver up-to-the minute training videos to cover things such as setting up retail displays to product use demonstrations.

The TeleGeography Research report, however, showed that high-traffic users are facing download limits imposed by some American Internet service providers. But even with these limits, businesses still come out much farther ahead in terms of time and overhead cost efficiency with web-based videos instead of driving or flying to meetings.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080903/ap_on_hi_te/tec_techbit_internet_capacity;_ylt=AsgRTAknKpas4XesK2iWRCis0NUE