1994: Are YOU Ready for the INTERNET? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive

About this video

• Video Title: 1994: Are YOU Ready for the INTERNET? | Tomorrow's World | Retro Tech | BBC Archive
• Channel: BBC Archive
• Speakers: Not specified in transcript
• Duration: 00:05:09

Overview

This video from BBC Archive's "Tomorrow's World" program in 1994 explores the emerging concept of the "information super highway," which is now known as the internet. It discusses its potential to transform homes into interactive entertainment and shopping centers, the current state of internet usage with 20 million users, and the limitations imposed by slow copper phone lines. The video also touches upon government regulations, contrasting policies in the US with those in Britain, and presents the idea of "video on demand" as a future application.

Key takeaways

• The Information Super Highway Concept: In 1994, the internet was envisioned as a high-capacity digital communications network, an "information super highway," capable of instantly delivering vast amounts of information, including text, pictures, and films, to homes.
• Interactive Home Transformation: This network was predicted to turn homes into interactive entertainment centers, incorporating stock exchange and shopping functionalities.
• Early Internet Usage: The internet already had over 20 million users, with even the US President Bill Clinton being connected and responsive to electronic mail.
• Limitations and Future Potential: The primary limitation discussed was the slow speed of existing copper telephone lines. The future promised faster, high-capacity fiber optic cables that would enable high-quality sound and video transmission, leading to services like "video on demand."
• Regulatory Landscape: Government regulations were seen as a barrier to the full development of these services, with the US having more lenient laws encouraging investment, while Britain's regulations, particularly for BT, were more restrictive.