A new look at just what an NBN led surge in broadband speeds and access can do for Australia is a reminder of just how powerful technology will be.
The Western Sydney University study says fast broadband is key to massive economic, urban, social and entrepreneurial change that could make Australia “the world’s most connected continent” and see GDP jump another 2%.
It’s clearly a big call, but even a quick look at what’s possible suggests it’s very doable.
The report highlights that whilst the majority of homeowners are opting for the 25/5 Mbps option, there’s been a 28% increase in the number of people paying for the 100/40 Mbps option.
Expect that to rapidly crank up as we get used to having all that digital delivery on hand at home and I expect the majority of people are just sitting on the sidelines waiting to see what happens.
They may not have to wait too long. The WSU study sees the NBN as an enabler that will not only boost those industries most in demand in a digital world-think science, technology, e-health, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and Big Data, to name a few-but re-shape how we work.
One of the biggest jolts is expected to be in entrepreneurism says WSU as more and more people look to create new companies and ideas through startups either at home or in urban hubs. In fact WSU says the number of people working from home could quickly double as the NBN kicks in.
But with the emerging changes in healthcare, education, energy management and smart home technologies, there are going to be a lot of new business opportunities for those with an eye to profit through industry disruption
The smart people are already poring over the future changes to work out how they need to change their businesses, but we expect there will be a lot of startups with new ideas using the empowering NBN to make their fortunes.
Perhaps it is time for you to do the same?
Cheers
John