Globalisation - Communication & Banking

Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 9.2.3

Communication Networks and Banking

The internet has changed the way people communicate.

Before 1980, computers were not very common and were only useful for typing and quick calculations.
Computers were not used on a large-scale for communication purposes at this time.
By 1995, emails were widely used but the internet was still run through phone lines.

Landline phones used to be the normal method of communication.
Cell/Mobile phones have become increasingly popular.
When they were first introduced, they were very big and only useful for calls to other mobile devices.

Only in the last 20 years has the internet become wireless in homes.
Most people in developed societies have access to mobile or cell phones or devices with access to the internet from a mobile and internet provider.
It is as easy to make a call to China as it is to someone in the same town.
The internet can be used used to move and store data, communicate and move money around the globe in a matter of seconds.
These features are particularly important for businesses that operate internationally.

The improvements in communication technology have caused businesses to change their location.
Businesses can now set up in countries where wages and taxes are low to increase their profit margins.
Businesses can still communicate and transport their goods easily and quickly from these countries.