Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes from Greek τεχνολογία (technología); from τέχνη (téchnē), meaning "art, skill, craft", and -λογία (-logía), meaning "study of-".[1] The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include construction technology, medical technology, and information technology.
The days of painfully slow dial-up connections to the internet are gradually being put behind us. Even in countries where internet access is still growing, such as India, the proliferation of broadband - high speed internet service - is cause for celebration. Broadband services are being offered to more people across more regions than ever before. There are a few worries about this, however and one issue that should be addressed is whether the ISPs involved can deliver this high-speed internet capability correctly and provide excellent service to consumers.
Broadband internet relies on fast-transmission technology. Although they can vary quite significantly, many users in countries such as the UK can today experience broadband speeds in the region of 50 to 100 megabits per second (Mbps). While speeds in parts of the world such as Asia may be less impressive, we're still seeing internet providers offering speeds that come reasonably close to those found in the UK.
The situation regarding high-speed internet access in India is certainly better than a little while ago, when services were in their infancy as far as much of the population was concerned. There were fewer companies acting as internet-service providers back then and so consumers had little choice but to turn to government-run ISPs. The internet was slower and less reliable some years ago, but now that more companies are involved and technologies such as 3G have emerged, broadband is becoming more prevalent as an option for many internet users in India. For many, broadband internet, accessed through a landline, is one of the better options when it comes to achieving fast internet speeds.
The potential to receive high-speed internet is obviously a good thing, as long as the companies providing it are able to keep up. Luckily, India seems to have quite a few ISPs offering decent broadband access, although there are caveats with a few of these. One of the major companies in the country is Airtel Broadband, which is renowned for the scope and quality of its coverage. It's an internet provider that should appeal particularly to residents of the Delhi area, because these consumers may be able to apply for a special cash-back service when arranging their contracts. Airtel Broadband isn't the cheapest of India's broadband providers, but its tariffs do mean that the average consumer is ensured a decent level of service and can get broadband internet from almost anywhere in the country.
Another ISP with a reputation for excellent customer service is Reliance Broadband, which is mainly focused on urban areas. As with many ISPs operating in India, however, its coverage isn't guaranteed when the consumer lives in a more rural area.
The problem of access from rural areas is an issue for several broadband service providers around India. Companies are able to provide broadband for more remote locations but their speeds are reduced. Another difficulty facing fast internet providers in India is that some companies only serve specific regions. MTNL, for example, offers decent price plans and service, but can't be accessed outside regions such as NCR and Mumbai.
Ultimately, it seems that ISPs are able to offer high-speed internet services, but consumers living in certain areas may not be getting the best coverage or speeds available. Hopefully, as the number of providers increases and the technology improves, these problems will be solved.
How has technology affected society? How has it influenced life? Read on to know the impact of technology on society. When we speak of the impact of technology on society, we always talk about the positive effects of technology and about how technology has made life easy. We talk about the Internet as an information resource and a communication platform and conveniently ignore the fact that an overexposure to it leads to Internet addiction. We often discuss how technology has made life easy but easily forget that it has made us overly dependent on it. Have you thought of the impact of technology from this point of view? I am sure, most of you haven't. Let us look at this aspect of technology here.
Impact of Technology on Our Society
Think of the days when there were no computers and no modern means of transport. Human life was highly restricted due to the unavailability of technological applications. Daily life involved a lot of physical activity. Life of the common man was not as luxurious as that of modern times, but he was more active. Exercise was integrated into routine physical activities. It was contrary to the sedentary lifestyle of today, which leaves no time for exercise and fills days with inactivity and laze. Today we don't want to, and thanks to technology, don't even need to, walk, move around or exert physically to get things done. We have the world is at our fingertips.
We think of technology as a boon to society. I am afraid; it's not completely a boon. The Internet has bred many unethical practices like hacking, spamming and phishing. Internet crime is on the rise. The Internet, being an open platform lacks regulation. There is no regulation on the content displayed on websites. Internet gambling has become an addiction for many. Overexposure to the Internet has taken its toll. In this virtual world, you can be who you are not, you can be virtually living even after you die. Isn't this weird? Children are spending all their time playing online and less or almost no time playing on the ground. Youngsters are spending most of their time social networking, missing on the joys of real social life.
Think of the days when there were no online messengers, no emails and no cell phones. Indeed cellular technology made it possible for us to communicate over wireless media. Web communication facilities have worked wonders in speeding long-distance communication. On the other hand, they have deprived mankind of the warmth of personal contact. Emails replaced handwritten letters and communication lost its personal touch. With the means of communication so easily accessible, that magic in waiting to reach someone and the excitement that followed have vanished.
Moreover, we have become excessively dependent on technology. Is so much of dependency good? Is it right to rely on machines to such an extent? Is it right to depend on computers rather than relying on human intellect? Computer technology and robotics are trying to substitute for human intellect. With the fast advancing technology, we have started harnessing artificial intelligence in many fields. Where is the digital divide going to take us? How is our 'tomorrow' going to be? 'Machines replacing human beings' does not portray a rosy picture, does it? It can lead to serious issues like unemployment and crime. An excessive use of machines in every field can result in an under-utilization of human brains. Over time, we may even lose our intellectual abilities. You know of the declining mathematical abilities in children due to use of calculators since school, don't you?
The impact of technology on society is deep. It is both positive and negative. Technology has largely influenced every aspect of living. It has made life easy, but so easy that it may lose its charm one day. One can cherish an accomplishment only if it comes after effort. But everything has become so easily available due to technology that it has lost its value. There is a certain kind of enjoyment in achieving things after striving for them. But with everything a few clicks away, there is no striving, there's only striking. With the developments in technology, we may be able to enjoy all the pricey luxuries in life but at the cost of losing its priceless joys.