Telecommunications is the term used to refer to a wide range of communication technologies that send information over distance. It is one of the enabling technologies behind the Internet.
Telecommunications infrastructures and equipment transmit and receive information or voice and data packets in different modes over very long distances.
Telecommunications is a broad term, as it also covers not only data communication, such as the Internet, but also includes voice telephony. Landlines, mobile phones, satellite phones, and even Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) are forms of voice communication under telephony technologies. Without telecommunications services, all activities related to e-commerce and Internet business would come to a complete halt.
There is now a wide range of telecommunications services connecting all kinds of devices, including computer networks, public telephone networks, television networks, and radio networks.
Telecommunications companies are like transportation companies. They can transport information from one point to another and vice versa. You can dedicate a particular communication channel to connect a company’s private computer network, for example, to the computer network of your branch located in another country. The service is called international lease line service. Telecommunications companies offer a variety of services, voice services and Internet access being the most requested.
For the best and cheapest telecommunications service, check out this page on the best voice and internet rates. The importance of finding the best telecommunications service should be emphasized, especially for start-up Internet businesses.
As mentioned, the Internet is a system that interconnects computer networks around the world and its telecommunications make it possible.
The Internet is a free public network for anyone to use. However, Internet users will have to pay telecommunications companies for the service of bringing Internet access to their areas and for providing a value-added service. Telecommunications companies must invest millions of dollars in telecommunications infrastructure
In rural, less populated, or less dense areas, reliable Internet access is a major issue. Despite widespread advances in communications, such as GSM/CDMA, fiber optics, satellite and wireless systems, some areas make do with low-speed dial-up access.
The Internet business needs access to reliable telecommunications services (for example, telephone and broadband Internet access are essential). Access to voice and data communication is difficult, especially in rural, remote and isolated areas. Few telecommunications companies dare to venture due to the very low potential return on investment. Telcos simply won’t expand in areas with low projected return on investment.
Internet access via satellite or VSAT is the easiest way but not the most profitable due to the high cost of subscribing to a VSAT service.
In remote regions, local communities and entrepreneurs have come together to install local communication systems for telephone and Internet access. You can find telecenters or community technology centers that serve as a communication hub for the community in remote locations.